'Great Controversy -
Chapter XXXII-Snares of Satan …cont…
By the cry,
Liberality, men are blinded to the devices of their adversary, while he is all
the time working steadily for the accomplishment of his object. As he succeeds
in supplanting the Bible by human speculations, the law of God is set aside,
and the churches are under the bondage of sin while they claim to be free. To
many, scientific research has become a curse.
God has permitted a
flood of light to be poured upon the world in discoveries in science and art;
but even the greatest minds, if not guided by the Word of God in their
research, become bewildered in their attempts to investigate the relations of
science and revelation. Human knowledge of both material and spiritual things
is partial and imperfect; therefore many are unable to harmonize their views of
science with Scripture statements. Many accept mere theories and speculations
as scientific facts, and they think that God’s Word is to be tested by the
teachings of “science falsely so called.”
The Creator and his
works are beyond their comprehension; and because they cannot explain these by
natural laws, Bible history is regarded as unreliable. Those who doubt the
reliability of the records of the Old and New Testaments too often go a step
farther, and doubt the existence of God, and attribute infinite power to nature.
Having let go their anchor, they are left to beat about upon the rocks of
infidelity. Thus many err from the faith, and are seduced by the devil. Men have
endeavored to be wiser than their Creator; human philosophy has attempted to
search out and explain mysteries which will never be revealed, through the
eternal ages. If men would but search and understand what God has made known of
himself and his purposes, they would obtain such a view of the glory, majesty,
and power of Jehovah, that they would realize their own littleness, and would
be content with that which has been revealed for themselves and their children.
It is a masterpiece of Satan’s deceptions to keep the minds of men searching
and conjecturing in regard to that which God has not made known, and which he
does not intend that we shall understand.
It was thus that
Lucifer lost his place in Heaven. He became dissatisfied because all the secrets
of God’s purposes were not confided to him, and he entirely disregarded that
which was revealed concerning his own work in the lofty position assigned him.
By arousing the same discontent in the angels under his command, he caused
their fall. Now he seeks to imbue the minds of men with the same spirit, and to
lead them also to disregard the direct commands of God. Those who are unwilling
to accept the plain, cutting truths of the Bible, are continually seeking for
pleasing fables that will quiet the conscience.
The less spiritual,
self-denying, and humiliating the doctrines presented, the greater the favor
with which they are received.
These persons
degrade the intellectual powers to serve their carnal desires.
Too wise in their
own conceit to search the Scriptures with contrition of soul and earnest prayer
for divine guidance, they have no shield from delusion. Satan is ready to
supply the heart’s desire, and he palms off his deceptions in the place of
truth.
It was thus that the
papacy gained its power over the minds of men; and by rejection of the truth
because it involves a cross, Protestants are following the same path. All who
neglect the Word of God to study convenience and policy, that they may not be at
variance with the world, will be left to receive damnable heresy for religious
truth. Every conceivable form of error will be accepted by those who willfully
reject the truth. He who looks with horror upon one deception will readily
receive another. The apostle Paul, speaking of a class who “received not the
love of the truth, that they might be saved,” declares, “For this cause God
shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie, that they all
might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in
unrighteousness.” [2 Thessalonians 2:10-12.]
With such a warning
before us, it behooves us to be on our guard as to what doctrines we receive.
Among the most successful agencies of the great deceiver are the delusive
teachings and lying wonders of Spiritualism.
Disguised as an
angel of light, he spreads his nets where least suspected. If men would but
study the Book of God with earnest prayer that they might understand it, they
would not be left in darkness to receive false doctrines. But as they reject
the truth, they fall a prey to deception.
Another dangerous
error, is the doctrine that denies the divinity of Christ, claiming that he had
no existence before his advent to this world. This theory is received with
favor by a large class who profess to believe the Bible; yet it directly
contradicts the plainest statements of our Saviour concerning his relationship
with the Father, his divine character, and his pre-existence.
It cannot be
entertained without the most unwarranted wresting of the Scriptures. It not
only lowers man’s conceptions of the work of redemption, but undermines faith
in the Bible as a revelation from God. While this renders it the more
dangerous, it makes it also harder to meet. If men reject the testimony of the
inspired Scriptures concerning the divinity of Christ, it is in vain to argue
the point with them ;for no argument, however conclusive, could convince them.
“The natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God; for they are
foolishness unto him; neither can he know them, because they are spiritually
discerned.” [1 Corinthians2:14.]
None who hold this
error can have a true conception of the character or the mission of Christ, or
of the great plan of God for man’s redemption.
To be continued….'
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