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To Meet Fanaticism, August 15
For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made
known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but
were eyewitnesses of his majesty.
2 Peter 1:16
.
Again and again in past years I have been bidden to speak in protest
against the fanciful and forbidden schemes that have been presented by one
and another. My message has ever been, Preach the Word in simplicity and
all humility; present clear, unadulterated truth to the people. Open no door to
fanatical movements, for the influence of these is to bring confusion of mind
and discouragement and lack of faith to God’s people....
Whenever I have been called to meet fanaticism in its varied forms, I have
received clear, positive, and definite instruction to lift my voice against its
influence. With some the evil has revealed itself in the form of man-made
tests for ascertaining a knowledge of the will of God; and I was shown that
this was a delusion which became an infatuation, and that it is contrary to the
will of the Lord. If we follow such methods, we shall be found aiding the
enemy’s plans. In times past certain among the believers had great faith in the
setting of signs by which to decide their duty. Some had such confidence in
these signs that men went so far as to exchange wives, thus bringing adultery
into the church.
I have been shown that deceptions like those we were called to meet in the
early experiences of the message would be repeated, and that we shall have to
meet them again in the closing days of the work. At this time we are required
to bring all our powers under the control of God, exercising our faculties in
accordance with the light He has given. Read the fourth and fifth chapters of
Matthew. Study
Matthew 4:8-10
; also chapter 5:13. Meditate upon the sacred
work that was carried forward by Christ. It is thus that the principles of the
Word of God are to be brought into our labors.—
Selected Messages 2:28, 29
.
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