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
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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 deity 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 deity
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 Corinthians 2：14。 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。
Still another subtle and mischievous error is the fast…spreading belief that
Satan has no existence as a personal being； that the name is used in
Scripture merely to represent men's evil thoughts and desires。
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The teaching so widely echoed from popular pulpits； that the second advent
of Christ is His coming to each individual at death； is a device to divert
the minds of men from His personal coming in the clouds of heaven。 For years
Satan has thus been saying； 〃Behold； He is in the secret chambers〃 （Matthew
24：23…26）； and many souls have been lost by accepting this deception。
Again； worldly wisdom teaches that prayer is not essential。 Men of science
claim that there can be no real answer to prayer； that this would be a
violation of law； a miracle； and that miracles have no existence。 The
universe； say they； is governed by fixed laws； and God Himself does nothing
contrary to these laws。 Thus they represent God as bound by His own lawsas
if the operation of divine laws could exclude divine freedom。 Such teaching
is opposed to the testimony of the Scriptures。 Were not miracles wrought by
Christ and His apostles？ The same compassionate Saviour lives today； and He
is as willing to listen to the prayer of faith as when He walked visibly
among men。 The natural cooperates with the supernatural。 It is a part of
God's plan to grant us； in answer to the prayer of faith； that which He
would not bestow did we not thus ask。
Innumerable are the erroneous doctrines and fanciful ideas that are
obtaining among the churches of Christendom。 It is impossible to estimate
the evil results of removing one of the landmarks fixed by the word of God。
Few who venture to do this stop with the rejection of a single truth。 The
majority continue to set aside one after another of the principles of truth；
until they become actual infidels。
The errors of popular theology have driven many a soul to skepticism who
might otherwise have been a believer in the Scriptures。 It is impossible for
him to accept doctrines which outrage his sense of justice； mercy； and
benevolence； and since these are represented as the teaching of the Bible；
he refuses to receive it as the word of God。
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And this is the object which Satan seeks to accomplish。 There is nothing
that he desires more than to destroy confidence in God and in His word。
Satan stands at the head of the great army of doubters； and he works to the
utmost of his power to beguile souls into his ranks。 It is becoming
fashionable to doubt。 There is a large class by whom the word of God is
looked upon with distrust for the same reason as was its Authorbecause it
reproves and condemns sin。 Those who are unwilling to obey its requirements
endeavor to overthrow its authority。 They read the Bible； or listen to its
teachings as presented from the sacred desk； merely to find fault with the
Scriptures or with the sermon。 Not a few become infidels in order to justify
or excuse themselves in neglect of duty。 Others adopt skeptical principles
from pride and indolence。 Too ease…loving to distinguish themselves by
accomplishing anything worthy of honor； which requires effort and
self…denial； they aim to secure a reputation for superior wisdom by
criticizing the Bible。 There is much which the finite mind； unenlightened by
divine wisdom； is powerless to comprehend； and thus they find occasion to
criticize。 There are many who seem to feel that it is a virtue to stand on
the side of unbelief； skepticism； and infidelity。 But underneath an
appearance of candor it will be found that such persons are actuated by
self…confidence and pride。 Many delight in finding something in the
Scriptures to puzzle the minds of others。 Some at first criticize and reason
on the wrong side； from a mere love of controversy。 They do not realize that
they are thus entangling themselves in the snare of the fowler。 But having
openly expressed unbelief； they feel that they must maintain their position。
Thus they unite with the ungodly and close to themselves the gates of
Paradise。
God has given in His word sufficient evidence of its divine character。 The
great truths which concern our redemption are clearly presented。 By the aid
of the Holy Spirit； which is promised to all who seek it in sincerity； every
man may
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understand these truths for himself。 God has granted to men a strong
foundation upon which to rest their faith。
Yet the finite minds of men are inadequate fully to comprehend the plans and
purposes of the Infinite One。 We can never by searching find out God。 We
must not attempt to lift with presumptuous hand the curtain behind which He
veils His majesty。 The apostle exclaims： 〃How unsearchable are His
judgments； and His ways past finding out！〃 Romans 11：33。 We can so far
comprehend His dealings with us； and the motives by which He is actuated；
that we may discern boundless love and mercy united to infinite power。 Our
Father in heaven orders everything in wisdom and righteousness； and we are
not to be dissatisfied and distrustful； but to bow in reverent submission。
He will reveal to us as much of His purposes as it is for our good to know；
and beyond that we must trust the Hand that is omnipotent； the Heart that is
full of love。
While God has given ample evidence for faith； He will never remove all
excuse for unbelief。 All who look for hooks to hang their doubts upon will
find them。 And those who refuse to accept and obey God's word until every
objection has been removed； and there is no longer an opportunity for doubt；
will never come to the light。
Distrust of God is the natural outgrowth of the unrenewed heart； which is at
enmity with Him。 But faith is inspired by the Holy Spirit； and it will
flourish only as it is cherished。 No man can become strong in faith without
a determined effort。 Unbelief strengthens as it is encouraged； and if men；
instead of dwelling upon the evidences which God has given to sustain their
faith； permit themselves to question and cavil； they will find their doubts
constantly becoming more confirmed。
But those who doubt God's promises and distrust the assurance of His grace
are dishonoring Him； and their influence； instead of drawing others to
Christ； t