Issue: 2022 February

Keys to the Storehouse – The Devil’s Dupe

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I think I would be safe in saying that most of us would not like the idea of discovering that we have been someone’s victim or pawn—a dupe. Mrs. White states in Manuscript 5, January 20, 1904, “Unless man is given the converting grace of heaven, he will have no disposition to oppose Satan’s counsels, and will become the enemy’s willing dupe.”

Our natural condition is to do evil. You might ask the question, “But how can I resist the devil? I haven’t always done so well.” Without a determined commitment to surrender your will to the Holy Spirit, you will naturally be under the control of Satan. There are only ever two options—remain in our natural state or choose submission to the Holy Spirit.

James 4:7 says, “Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.”

So how do you resist the devil? By drawing near to and submitting to God (James 4:8). If God is in your life, the devil won’t be. Do you want to be manipulated and controlled by the devil? Then do nothing and your human nature will take over and you will become a blind dupe of the devil.

But if you want to be saved, if you don’t want the devil to control your life, then choose to submit to the Holy Spirit. Manuscript 5 also says, “It is God alone who puts enmity to sin in the human heart. The Lord gives man a new mind. … It is the Lord’s purpose that depraved human nature should, through His divine power, be provided with a renovating energy.”

Praise God! We have the ability to resist the devil. We have the ability not to yield to temptation. We do not have to sin.

“Man was created a free moral agent. Like the inhabitants of all other worlds, he must be subjected to the test of obedience; but he is never brought into such a position that yielding to evil becomes a matter of necessity. No temptation or trial is permitted to come to him which he is unable to resist. God made such ample provision that man need never have been defeated in the conflict with Satan.

“Satan is the great originator of sin; yet this does not excuse any man for sinning; for he cannot force men to do evil. He tempts them to it, and makes sin look enticing and pleasant; but he has to leave it to their own wills whether they will do it or not. … Man is a free moral agent to accept or refuse. …

“Every provision has been made; everything in God’s plan has been arranged so that man should not be left to his own impulses, to his own finite powers, to carry on the warfare against the powers of darkness in his own finite strength; because he would certainly fail if he were thus left to himself.

“As a redeemed, free moral agent, ransomed by an infinite price, God calls upon you to assert your liberty, and employ your God-given powers as a free subject of the kingdom of heaven. … You are to refuse to be in subjection to the power of evil.” The Faith I Live By, 82 [Emphasis supplied.]

Lord, cure our double-mindedness. Test us, purify our hearts and keep us close to You. Thank You for providing to us everything we need to resist the devil and to instead do Your will.

Story – Michael the Upright

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More than three hundred years ago there lived in Holland a little boy named Michael. His parents wished to bring him up to some trade; but Michael’s heart was set upon being a sailor and nothing else would please him. So he was allowed to have his way, and his father got a berth for him in a vessel about to sail for Morocco, in the north coast of Africa.

The ship belonged to a merchant who was in the habit of taking bales of cloth to sell to the natives of that place. During the voyage, he was able to see what kind of boy Michael was.

Not only was Michael quick at learning his duties, but he was a boy to be trusted. Whatever he had to do, he did as well as he could, whether anyone was looking at him or not. “This is just the boy I want,” thought the merchant, and Michael was soon raised to a higher place.

One day the merchant fell sick, and he could not go with his vessel, which was loaded and ready to sail for Morocco. What could he do? He knew of only one person to whom he could trust his cargo, and that was Michael. So he sent for him, and told him that he must take charge of it.

Michael was young, and it was a difficult task he had to face; but it was his duty, and he did not flinch from it. The ship sailed with Michael in charge, and in due time he was arranging his cloth in the marketplace in Morocco.

Now the city was ruled by a cruel tyrant called the Bey, who could do whatever he liked without anybody daring to find fault with him. On this very morning he came into the market, and after seeing the various pieces of cloth which Michael had for sale, he fixed on one and asked the price. Michael told him. The Bey offered half the sum he named.

“Nay,” said Michael, “I ask no more than it is worth. My master expects that price, and I am only his servant. I have no power to take less.” The Bey’s face grew dark with anger, and the bystanders trembled, for they knew that if the lad opposed the wishes of the cruel governor, he would be put to death. “I will give you till tomorrow to think about it,” cried the Bey, and he walked away.

Michael put back the cloth, and began calmly to wait on his other customers. Those around him begged him to give in to the Bey and save his life. But Michael replied, “My life is in God’s hands. If my master loses one penny through me, I am not a faithful servant.”

The morrow came. The Bey appeared as before; but, besides his other servants, the public executioner followed behind him. He again asked Michael the price of the cloth, and he got the same answer. “Take my life if you will,” added the brave Michael, “but I shall die as an honest man, and a true servant of my master.”

Everybody expected to hear the order, “Strike off his head!” and in a moment the executioner would have done it. But the order was not given. The face of the Bey suddenly changed.

“Thou art a noble fellow!” he cried. “Would that I had such a servant as thou art. Give me thy hand; thou shalt be my friend. I will make of the cloth a robe of honour in memory of thy faithfulness.” And the Bey threw a purse of gold upon the table, told his servants to take up the cloth, and went away.

The upright young man rose step by step till he became an admiral, and he fought the battles of his country as nobly as he sold his master’s cloth. The name of Michael Ruyter is still honored in his native land. And the chief reason why his countrymen love him so much is just this: that in the very face of death he dared to do what was right.

Storytime Treasury, Harvestime Books, compiled by P.G. Temple, ©2008, 305–308.

Inspiration – True Worth

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In His word the Lord has shown what man may become if connected with the Source of all wisdom. The soul of everyone is precious. All heaven is interested in the plan of salvation, and its power is waiting our demand. We may choose wisely, and through Christ become more precious in the sight of God than the golden wedge of Ophir, or we may become as sounding brass and a tinkling cymbal; but if we do degenerate, we shall lose heaven with all its riches.

Character cannot be bought with gold; it cannot come to us by accident. Character is attained by individual effort, aided by the grace of Christ. It is formed by hard, stern battles with self. Conflict after conflict must be urged against hereditary tendencies.

If the character is left to be molded as chance may direct, it will become deformed and unlovely. In everyone there are weak points, and Satan takes advantage of these. Temptations will thicken about the pathway; but the Lord will help those who ask Him in sincerity. Then stand fast in the strength of Jesus. Swerve not from the right to gain favor or to avoid difficulty. Christians can afford to be straightforward, and firm as a rock to principle; and all the excellence of character we attain will be gained by moving in this straight line.

Be kind and considerate of others; but at the same time be frank and sincere, for the Lord despises dissembling. The standard of the world is not the criterion for the Christian: God and the right should be his motto. Truthfulness and frankness should be cherished. He should deal honestly and righteously in this present evil world.

We can go through the world but once; we cannot come back to rectify mistakes; therefore every move should be made with godly fear and careful consideration. Honesty and policy will not harmonize; either truth and honesty will triumph, or policy will prevail, and honesty cease to direct. The two principles cannot act together; they can never be in agreement.

These things will bear thoughtful consideration, close, critical examination. We are in the investigative judgment, and the work for the time is solemn heart-searching. The duty devolves upon everyone to consider, to watch, and to pray. You are not bidden by the Lord to examine your neighbor’s heart. Let your investigative powers be put to work to discover what is in your own heart, the defects in your own character, the work to be done in your own home.

The proving time has come, and angels are watching the development of character. How many, since they have professed Christ, have changed for the better? My brother, my sister, are you becoming more and more like Jesus, who is pure, undefiled, holy? Can your associates see in you the likeness of Christ? Can they see that you maintain in your dress, in your conversation, in your daily life, the simplicity of your Master?

The ambition of every soul should be to make straight his paths, that the feet of others may not be led astray. But the anxiety with many is to shape their course to be admired of men. What value can Christians place on the praise and flattery of men who have no reverence for God nor love for His truth? The honor received from such persons is of no worth. We should not aim to receive the applause of the world, but to honor Him who is worthy of the heart’s best and holiest affections. This is a worthy ambition, and it brings the highest reward; for God has promised, “Them that honor Me I will honor.”

O how much the Spirit of Christ is needed by everyone who has any interest or acts any part in the work of God. God would have everyone make the most of his talents and opportunities, putting them to a wise use, with an eye single to His glory. But self must not gain the mastery. Hide yourself in Jesus, and let Him appear as “the One altogether lovely,” the chiefest among ten thousand.

It is the duty and privilege of all to use reason as far as man’s finite faculties can go; but there is a limit to man’s resources. There are many things that can never be reasoned out by the strongest intellect, or discerned by the most penetrating mind. Philosophy cannot determine the ways and works of God; the human mind cannot measure infinity. Jehovah is the fountain of all wisdom, of all truth, of all knowledge. There are high attainments that man can reach in this life through the wisdom that God imparts; but there is an infinity beyond that will be the study and the joy of the saints throughout eternal ages. Man can now only linger on the border of that vast expanse, and let imagination take its flight. Finite man cannot fathom the deep things of God; for spiritual things are spiritually discerned. The human mind cannot comprehend the wisdom and power of God. The Watchman, February 5, 1907

Lessons from the Life of Christ

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The kingdom of heaven is as a man traveling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods. And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey. …

“After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them. And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents: behold, I have gained beside them five talents more. His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.

“He also that had received two talents came and said, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me two talents: behold, I have gained two other talents beside them. His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.

“Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strawed: and I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine. His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed: thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury. Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents. For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath. And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”

Thus Christ by definite instruction prepared His disciples for their work. He is our Master, as He was theirs, and this instruction we are to follow. We are to work earnestly and vigilantly to prepare the way for the second coming of the Lord. There is much to be done in preparation for that solemn event. Waiting, watching, praying, and working,—this is what we are to do as servants of God. Personal consecration is necessary, and we cannot have this unless heart-holiness is cultivated and cherished.

God requires us to be faithful in His service. Let there be no spiritual declension. The apostle exhorts us to be “not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord.” All are to strive to increase their capabilities, that they may continually do better work for the Master. He has provided every facility, so that His servants can labor intelligently.

When invited to a dinner or a feast, Christ accepted the invitation. He was accused by the religious leaders of eating with publicans, and they cast at Him the imputation that He was like them. The respect shown to Christ at the feasts He attended was in marked contrast to the manner in which the scribes and Pharisees were treated, and this made them envious. When at a feast, Christ controlled the conversation, and gave many precious lessons. Those present listened to Him; for had He not healed their sick, comforted their sorrowing, and taken their children in His arms? Publicans and sinners were drawn to Him; and when He spoke, their attention was riveted on Him.

Christ taught His disciples how to conduct themselves when in the company of others. He instructed them in regard to the duties and regulations of true social life, which are the same as the laws of the kingdom of God. He taught the disciples, by example, that when attending any public gathering, they need not want for something to say. His conversation when at a feast differed most decidedly from that which had been listened to at feasts in the past. Every word He uttered was a savor of life unto life. He spoke with clearness and simplicity. His words were as apples of gold in pictures of silver.

Christ gave lessons adapted to the needs of His hearers. It was at a feast that He gave the parable of the great supper.

“It came to pass,” the record says, “as He went into the house of one of the chief Pharisees to eat bread on the Sabbath day, that they watched Him. … And He put forth a parable to those which were bidden, when He marked how they chose out the chief rooms; saying unto them, When thou art bidden of any man to a wedding, sit not down in the highest room; lest a more honorable man than thou be bidden of him; and he that bade thee and him come and say to thee, Give this man place, and thou begin with shame to take the lowest room. But when thou art bidden, go and sit down in the lowest room; that when he that bade thee cometh, he may say unto thee, Friend, go up higher: then shalt thou have worship in the presence of them that sit at meat with thee. For whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.”

In His parables Christ held up the mirror of His Father’s mind. Every insult shown by man to his fellow man only made Him more conscious of their need of His divine sympathy. He realized the harm Satan was trying to do through the power of position and wealth. In His human nature He felt the need of the ministration of heavenly angels. He felt the need of His Father’s help, as no other human being has ever felt it. He was Himself winning, as a powerful warrior, a victory in behalf of the world that He had created; and under the most trying circumstances His faith did not fail. He placed Himself in His Father’s hands, and every insult He endured enabled Him better to understand man’s great need. As our substitute and surety, He felt every pang of anguish that we can ever feel. He Himself suffered, being tempted.

“He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from Him; He was despised, and we esteemed Him not. Surely He hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem Him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon Him; and with His stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned everyone to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on Him the iniquity of us all.”

Christ’s humanity made Him very tender toward humanity. The lessons He gave His disciples were in perfect harmony with His announcement of His life work. We read that after being tempted in the wilderness, Christ returned to Galilee, “and He taught in their synagogues, being glorified of all. And He came to Nazareth, where He had been brought up: and, as His custom was, He went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and stood up for to read. And there was delivered unto Him the book of the prophet Esaias. And when He had opened the book, He found the place where it was written, The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He hath anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor; He hath sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, to preach the acceptable year of the Lord.”

In everything Christ sought first the kingdom of God and His righteousness; and that which He did He commands His followers to do. This example He gave to the human race that they might in His strength render to God the obedience He requires, and in the end present themselves perfect before His throne. He was one with the Father. His life was a fulfilling of the law, a continual obedience to God’s commands. The Review and Herald, October 2, 1900

God said, “Push!”

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Several weeks ago I was visiting in the church I used to attend when I lived in Nebraska. The Sabbath School superintendent for that Sabbath is a loving and compassionate woman I have known for years. Like most of us, she has had spiritual struggles, and knowing this, what she presented for her superintendent’s remarks that morning is much more meaningful to me. It was presented as an analogy or allegory and I’d like briefly to share it, as I remember it, with you.

There was a man who lived in a cabin in the woods; outside his home was a large rock. The Lord came to the man one day and told him that He wanted him to push against the rock with all his might. And so, every day for many years the man set his shoulder squarely against that massive, unmoving rock and pushed with all his might. But each day he returned to his cabin not having moved the rock even an inch.

Then the devil came to him filling his mind with thoughts of discouragement, reminding him of how long he had worked to move this rock and how completely unsuccessful he had been. He told the man that it probably wasn’t necessary to work so hard, suggesting to him that God had given him a task that was simply impossible and giving the impression that God had set him up to fail; accusing God of something that the devil himself would do.

The man became discouraged and disheartened, and for a moment wondered if the devil might be right.

How often have we set ourselves to the task the Lord has given us to do, but to all outward appearance it seems that we are failing? What do we do?

The man, feeling so bad, went to his knees and took his concerns to the feet of Jesus. He wondered as he prayed, how he had labored so long in the Lord’s service, applying all his strength to do as the Lord had asked and yet he had failed to move the rock at all. He asked the Lord to show him why he was failing.

With great compassion, the Lord reminded the man that He had asked him to push the rock and that he had accepted the task and he had done so with all his strength and commitment. But never once had the Lord told him to move the rock. The man thought he had failed, but rather than failing, he had obediently done just what the Lord had asked him to do.

The Lord went further to show the man the results of his obedience. His arms had become strong and muscled, his back sinewy and brown, his hands callused from constant pressure, and his legs massive and hard. Through opposition he had grown much, and now he was able to do more than he had ever been able to do before. His calling was to be obedient and to push and to exercise faith in the Lord’s wisdom. This he had done, and now the Lord Himself would move the rock.

At times, when we hear a word from God, we tend to decide for ourselves what He wants, when actually what He wants is simple obedience and faith in Him. By all means, exercise the faith that can move mountains, but know that it is still God who does the moving.

So, I was struck by four important spiritual principles as I contemplated this analogy.

The man had faithfully obeyed God’s direction every day, so that it did not occur to him to do otherwise, until Satan suggested that his efforts might be futile.

So faithful had he been, that in spite of his momentary thought to do other than obey God, he took his concern directly to God.

After having exercised his faith according to God’s direction, pushing against this immovable rock for so long, the man’s obedience and faith had increased, the same as his body had become stronger and more muscular.

God is a partner with us. We exercise our faith and trust in Him; God does the heavy lifting, the part that we cannot do.

If we expect to be able to daily obey, then we must exercise our faith, moment by moment, so that we will increase in spiritual strength, until our only desire will be to do the will of God. Even if in a moment of weakness we entertain the suggestions and accusations of Satan, the daily exercise of following God’s direction will enable us to look to Him first. We do not have to believe the devil nor doubt God.

“Those who exercise but little faith now, are in the greatest danger of falling under the power of satanic delusions and the decree to compel the conscience. And even if they endure the test they will be plunged into deeper distress and anguish in the time of trouble, because they have never made it a habit to trust in God. The lessons of faith which they have neglected they will be forced to learn under a terrible pressure of discouragement.” Reflecting Christ, 120

If we want to always do what is right, then we must daily exercise doing right. We cannot expect to be strong in doing right by putting forth the minimum effort or just suddenly deciding one day to do it. A weightlifter isn’t able to deadlift 450 pounds on the first day. It is a process that includes a proper diet, plenty of water, workout programs that target the quadriceps, calves, trapezius and deltoids, biceps, and shoulders. Without these daily programs, a person will never be able to lift more than an average man.

If things get tough, then we must seek the Lord in prayer. We too often make obedience and faith more difficult than they need to be. Satan misrepresented what God had told the man to do even though he had faithfully done what God had asked him to do, and this created doubt in the man’s mind by suggesting that all his efforts were for nothing because he had not moved the rock at all. But is that what God had asked the man to do? Rather than listening to Satan, he made the decision to talk to God, to find out what he had been doing wrong. And in the end, he’d done nothing wrong. He’d been doing exactly what God had told him to do. Satan did this same thing in the Garden of Eden when he misrepresented to Eve that eating of the fruit of the tree would not result in her death. And instead of returning immediately to Adam’s side and both of them going directly to God, she accepted Satan’s deception and—well, here we are today.

“Prayer … is the source of your greatest strength. God is represented as bending from His place in heaven, watching with living interest those who labor for Him, and waiting to impart His grace to those who supplicate His throne. …

“Never forget that you are laborers together with God, and that it is your privilege to be constantly shielded by His grace. … He calls upon everyone who has named His name to be converted daily, that he may work intelligently in His cause, under the guidance and power of the Holy Spirit. …

“It is the purpose of God that His people shall be a sanctified, purified, holy people, communicating light to all around them. But only as they keep the standard uplifted, only as they reveal that the truth they profess to believe is able to influence them for righteousness and to sustain their spiritual life; only as they make the principles of truth a part of their daily lives, can they be a praise and honor to God in the earth. It is the privilege of every Christian to receive grace to enable him to stand firmly for the principles of righteousness in the service of God.” This Day With God, 53

Finally, we often look to ourselves to do more than what God has asked us to do, by attempting to take upon ourselves God’s job, something that truly is impossible for us to perform. Abraham comes to mind when I think of this. God said He would give Abraham and Sarah a son, but because of their advanced age, they didn’t think that God could do as He had promised, so they lent a helping hand, or so they thought. Instead they created a sad situation that caused trouble in their home and ultimately in the world.

“If the human agent consents, God can and will so identify His will with all our thoughts and aims, so blend our hearts and minds into conformity to His word, that when obeying His will, we are only carrying out the impulses of our minds. All such will not possess an unsanctified, selfish disposition, ready to carry out their own wills, but will have a jealous, earnest, determined zeal for the glory of God. They will not want to do anything in their own strength, and will guard strictly against the danger of promoting self.” Our Father Cares, 268

Faith. Obedience. Prayer. Endurance. Our calling is to exercise faith, to be obedient and to trust in the wisdom of God. When we do this, our faith becomes stronger, obedience becomes a natural act and trusting in God leads to surrender. Then, He will move the rock.

Judy Rebarchek is a member of the LandMarks team. She may be contacted by email at: judyrebarchek@stepstolife.org

What Are You Thinking?

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The apostle Paul had a clear understanding of how your thinking affects the success of your spiritual growth. This understanding is expressed in several of his letters to the various churches. Indeed, the fact that he mentions the significance of our thinking so often should give us an indication of the importance of controlling our thoughts.

Paul covers a wide-ranging number of topics in his second letter to the Corinthians. It will be interesting to discuss with him once we cross the Jordan what provoked some of the things he wrote. However, it should be evident on this side of the Jordan how important he felt it was to be in control of our thoughts.

Toward the end of the second letter to the Corinthians, Paul wrote, “For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ.” 2 Corinthians 10:3–5

Clearly one of the “weapons of our warfare” that is “mighty in God” is exercising our ability to “[bring] every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ.”

Paul also refers to this weapon in his letter to the Colossians where he wrote, “Set your mind [affections] on things above, not on things on the earth.” Colossians 3:2

Then twice in his letter to the Philippians, Paul mentions this weapon again, addressing it from two different angles. In Philippians 2:5, Paul, speaking imperatively, wrote, “Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus.” Then in the next chapter, he speaks of “the enemies of the cross of Christ” who “set their mind on earthly things.” Philippians 3:18, 19

Inspiration addresses over and over again the importance of controlling our thinking and setting our mind on things above.

“When God’s people take their eyes off the things of this world and place them on heaven and heavenly things they will be a peculiar people, because they will see the mercy and goodness and compassion that God has shown to the children of men. His love will call forth a response from them, and their lives will show to those around them that the Spirit of God is controlling them, that they are setting their affections on things above, not on the things of the earth.” Maranatha, 322

“God wishes us to have the mastery over ourselves. But He cannot help us without our consent and co-operation. The divine Spirit works through the powers and faculties given to man. Of ourselves, we are not able to bring the purposes and desires and inclinations into harmony with the will of God; but if we are ‘willing to be made willing,’ the Saviour will accomplish this for us, ‘Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.’ 2 Corinthians 10:5.” The Acts of the Apostles, 482, 483

It is next to impossible to accomplish this essential objective without the surrender of the whole heart to the control of the Holy Spirit. Remember, this is warfare. Each of us has our own personal great controversy to deal with. It may seem counter-intuitive, but winning this war requires surrendering—not something one learns in the usual terms of worldly warfare, but “When we submit [surrender] ourselves to Christ, the heart is united with His heart, the will is merged in His will, the mind becomes one with His mind, the thoughts are brought into captivity to Him; we live His life. This is what it means to be clothed with the garment of His righteousness. Then as the Lord looks upon us He sees, not the fig-leaf garment, not the nakedness and deformity of sin, but His own robe of righteousness, which is perfect obedience to the law of Jehovah.” Christ’s Object Lessons, 312

“Moral purity depends on right thinking and right acting. Evil thoughts destroy the soul, while a right control of the thoughts prepares the mind to labor harmoniously for the Master. Every thought should be brought into captivity to the obedience of Christ.” Gospel Workers, 126, 127

“To the heart that has become purified, all is changed. Transformation of character is the testimony to the world of an indwelling Christ. The Spirit of God produces a new life in the soul, bringing the thoughts and desires into obedience to the will of Christ; and the inward man is renewed in the image of God. Weak and erring men and women show to the world that the redeeming power of grace can cause the faulty character to develop into symmetry and abundant fruitfulness.” Prophets and Kings, 233

“You should keep off from Satan’s enchanted ground and not allow your minds to be swayed from allegiance to God. Through Christ you may and should be happy and should acquire habits of self-control. Even your thoughts must be brought into subjection to the will of God and your feelings under the control of reason and religion. Your imagination was not given you to be allowed to run riot and have its own way without any effort at restraint or discipline. If the thoughts are wrong, the feelings will be wrong, and the thoughts and feelings combined make up the moral character. When you decide that as Christians you are not required to restrain your thoughts and feelings you are brought under the influence of evil angels and invite their presence and their control. If you yield to your impressions and allow your thoughts to run in a channel of suspicion, doubt, and repining you will be among the most unhappy of mortals, and your lives will prove a failure.” Testimonies, vol. 5, 310

“The religion of Christ never degrades the receiver; it never makes him coarse or rough, discourteous or self-important, passionate or hardhearted. On the contrary, it refines the taste, sanctifies the judgment, and purifies and ennobles the thoughts, bringing them into captivity to Christ. God’s ideal for His children is higher than the highest human thought can reach. He has given in His holy law a transcript of His character.” Ibid., vol. 8, 63

It is this transcript that should be the guiding force in our thinking, and when this is the case, the efforts of Satan and his evil agents to inject unchristlike thoughts into our minds proves futile.

Paul provides a succinct set of criteria in his letter to the Philippians that those seeking to overcome can use as a guide for their thinking: “Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.” Philippians 4:8

Perhaps understanding the challenge that the effort to restrict one’s thinking presents, Paul provided encouragement by asserting his faith in the power of Jesus to enable us to think and thus act aright: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (verse 13). It is evident from the context that Paul is not referring to physical strength, but rather to the strength which Christ provides to enable His followers to thwart the efforts continually and incessantly exerted by the enemy of souls to enshroud his victims in spiritual darkness.

It is imperative that we do not allow our actions to be influenced by thinking on inappropriate topics, thereby giving Satan ammunition in his desire to corrupt our characters.

“When we talk discouragement and gloom, Satan listens with fiendish joy, for it pleases him to know that he has brought you into his bondage. Satan cannot read our thoughts, but he can see our actions, hear our words; and from his long knowledge of the human family, he can shape his temptations to take advantage of our weak points of character. And how often do we let him into the secret of how he may obtain the victory over us. Oh, that we might control our words and actions! How strong we would become if our words were of such an order that we would not be ashamed to meet the record of them in the day of judgment. How different will they appear in the day of God from what they seem when we utter them.” The Review and Herald, May 19, 1891

Thus we see the critical connection between our thoughts, our words, and our actions. Satan is ever on the watch to “take advantage of our weak points of character.” We also must be ever watchful to ensure that we think appropriately so that improper thoughts do not result in improper words or deeds.

Although experience has perhaps revealed to us the difficulty that is inherent in controlling our thinking, remember Paul’s encouraging acknowledgment: “I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me.”

 John R. Pearson is the office manager and a board member of Steps to Life. He may be contacted by email at: johnpearson@stepstolife.org

Where Are You?

by

What was God’s first question to fallen man? It is found in Genesis 3:8, 9: “And they heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God among the trees of the garden. Then the Lord God called to Adam and said to him, ‘Where are you?’ ”

Adam responds in verse 10, “… I heard Your voice in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; and I hid myself.” Having sinned, the garment of light that had clothed Adam and Eve since their creation had left them. They were able to see themselves now in their newfound naked and sinful condition. Sin had created fear, shame, and loneliness in Adam and Eve, and they had hidden from God.

God then asked Adam how he knew he was naked, “ ‘Have you eaten from the tree of which I commanded you that you should not eat?’ ” Sadly, a sinner for just a short time, Adam used the now age-old argument of blame and self-justification. “… ‘The woman whom You gave to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I ate.’ ” Verses 11, 12

Eve blamed the serpent. Adam blamed Eve and then he blamed God. But it is interesting to note that even as he blamed Eve for his choice, it was because of his love for her that he chose to eat the fruit. Ellen White says, “[Adam] understood the high destiny opened to the human race should they remain faithful to God. Yet all these blessings were lost sight of in the fear of losing that one gift which in his eyes outvalued every other. Love, gratitude, loyalty to the Creator—all were overborne by love to Eve. She was a part of himself, and he could not endure the thought of separation. … He resolved to share her fate; if she must die, he would die with her.” Patriarch and Prophets, 56, 57

And then came justification: “After all, he reasoned, might not the words of the wise serpent be true? Eve was before him, as beautiful and apparently as innocent as before this act of disobedience. She expressed greater love for him than before. No sign of death appeared in her, and he decided to brave the consequences. He seized the fruit and quickly ate.” Ibid.

Fault-finding, blame, justification, fear of being in the presence of God, all exist still today, and God still asks the question, “Where are you?” This is a very important question because many people really do not know where they are, and they need to find out.

God has a message for the people of the last days. “After these things I saw another angel coming down from heaven, having great authority, and the earth was illuminated with his glory. And he cried mightily with a loud voice, saying, ‘Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen … . For all the nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth have become rich through the abundance of her luxury.’ And I heard another voice from heaven saying, ‘Come out of her, My people, lest you share in her sins, and lest you receive of her plagues.’ ” Revelation 18:1–4

More detailed descriptions of Babylon are found in Revelation 14, 17 and 18. Babylon is described as a harlot woman dressed in purple and scarlet, adorned with gold and precious stones and pearls. She holds a golden cup in her hand filled with abominations and the uncleanness of her fornication. Babylon is a mother church, or mother of harlots, because she has daughter churches, all of whom take part in her wickedness. She has drunk of the blood of the saints and martyrs. She sits as a great, world-wide power, and all the nations of the earth have drunk of her abominations and participated in her sins.

Nations, churches, individuals all believe they know where they are, but really, they don’t. We need to understand how easily it can happen to any church, nation, or person.

Paul says, “For I am jealous for you with godly jealousy. For I have betrothed you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.” 2 Corinthians 11:2. He is jealous for the Corinthian church because he has presented the church to Christ as a virgin bride. But then he says in verses 3 and 4, “… I fear, lest somehow, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, so your minds may be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. For if he who comes preaches another Jesus whom we have not preached, or if you receive a different spirit which you have not received, or a different gospel which you have not accepted—you may well put up with it!” Simply put, a church must keep Christ first in its affections.

James says, “Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.” James 4:4

Repeatedly the apostles and Bible prophets tell God’s people that they are to be married to Christ. “ ‘Return, O backsliding children,’ says the Lord; ‘for I am married to you. I will take you, one from a city and two from a family, and I will bring you to Zion.’ ” Jeremiah 3:14. The church is to be a spouse to one husband, Jesus Christ Himself. Speaking of Christ and the church, Paul says they are to be one flesh (Ephesians 5:31). Claiming to be a part of God’s church but following another is adultery, as seen in Ezekiel chapters 16 and 23.

“The unfaithfulness of the church to Christ in permitting her confidence and affection to be turned from Him, and allowing the love of worldly things to occupy the soul, is likened to the violation of the marriage vow. The sin of Israel in departing from the Lord is presented under this figure … ‘But thou didst trust in thine own beauty, and playedst the harlot because of thy renown.’ ‘As a wife treacherously departeth from her husband, so have ye dealt treacherously with Me, O house of Israel, saith the Lord;’ ‘as a wife that committeth adultery, which taketh strangers instead of her husband!’ Ezekiel 16:8, 13–15, 32; Jeremiah 3:20.” The Great Controversy, 381, 382

The Bible tells about the development of the Antichrist power, but also the image of the Antichrist power in the last days. We need to be absolutely clear on what that is and how it comes about. “The image is made by the two-horned beast, and is an image to the beast. It is also called an image of the beast. Then to learn what the image is like and how it is to be formed, we must study the characteristics of the beast itself—the papacy.

“When the early church became corrupted by departing from the simplicity of the gospel and accepting heathen rites and customs, she lost the Spirit and power of God; and in order to control the consciences of the people, she sought the support of the secular power. The result was the papacy, a church that controlled the power of the state and employed it to further her own ends, especially for the punishment of ‘heresy.’ In order for the United States to form an image of the beast, the religious power must so control the civil government that the authority of the state will also be employed by the church to accomplish her own ends.” Ibid., 443

Ellen White clearly states that any church that has corrupted itself by seeking the support of worldly civil powers to enforce its institutions, its will, and its teachings, has become a harlot church. That church will not be permitted at the marriage supper of the Lamb, because no harlot will be allowed to enter.

We are living in a time when the image of the beast is being formed. Let me be clear, if a church is utilizing the support of secular powers by going to the courts to pass judgements in its behalf or pressuring the legislature or hiring lobbyists to influence legislators to make laws that favor its position, then that is spiritual harlotry, and that church has become a harlot church. If a church uses its tithe in support of these types of activities and if that church does not repent and forsake its spiritual harlotry, it has formed an image to the beast and will not go to the marriage feast of the Lamb. Anyone attending and supporting a church like that will not be able to attend either, unless they leave that church.

The New Testament describes Jesus over and over as our High Priest, and the church is described as His bride. But what kind of bride can the High Priest take? Leviticus 21:13, 14 describes the type of woman that the high priest officiating in the earthly temple or tabernacle can and cannot take as his wife: “And he shall take a wife in her virginity. A widow or a divorced woman or a defiled woman or a harlot—these he shall not marry; but he shall take a virgin of his own people as wife.” Jesus is our High Priest and He cannot take a church as His bride who is practicing harlotry.

“Where are you?” God’s question is the same to mankind today as it was in the Garden of Eden. Someone might say “I know I belong to an organization that is in open sin, but I do not participate in it, so I’m all right.”

Yes, people today believe that though they are part of an organization that is committing open sin, if they themselves do not participate in the sin, then it is all right for them to remain in that organization. Let’s look at this more closely in a couple of specific points.

“The time is fast coming when the controlling power of the labor unions will be very oppressive. …

“Men have confederated to oppose the Lord of hosts. These confederacies will continue until Christ shall leave His place of intercession before the mercy seat, and shall put on the garments of vengeance. … Professed saints and avowed unbelievers take their stand with these parties.

“The trades unions will be one of the agencies that will bring upon this earth the time of trouble such as has not been since the world began.

“The work of the people of God is to prepare for the events of the future, which will soon come upon them with blinding force. In the world gigantic monopolies will be formed. Men will bind themselves together in unions that will wrap them in the folds of the enemy. A few men will combine to grasp all the means to be obtained in certain lines of business. Trades unions will be formed and those who refuse to join these unions will be marked men.

“The trades unions and confederacies of the world are a snare. Keep out of them, and away from them, brethren. Have nothing to do with them. …

“But erelong there will be such strife and confusion in the cities, that those who wish to leave them will not be able. …

“We are not to unite with secret societies or with trades unions. …

“These unions are one of the signs of the last days. Men are binding up in bundles ready to be burned. They may be church members, but while they belong to these unions, they cannot possibly keep the commandments of God; for to belong to these unions means to disregard the entire decalogue.

“ ‘Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbor as thyself.’ Luke 10:27. These words sum up the whole duty of man. They mean the consecration of the whole being, body, soul, and spirit, to God’s service. How can men obey these words, and at the same time pledge themselves to support that which deprives their neighbors of freedom of action? And how can men obey these words, and form combinations that rob the poorer classes of the advantages which justly belong to them, preventing them from buying or selling, except under certain conditions?

“Those who claim to be the children of God are in no case to bind up with the labor unions that are formed or that shall be formed. This the Lord forbids. Cannot those who study the prophecies see and understand what is before us?” Selected Messages, Book 2, 141–144

Friends, the Spirit of Prophecy says that belonging to a union means that a person will disregard the entire decalogue, because the organization itself disregards it. According to what we just read above, the Lord says a person who belongs to a union or a church that seeks the support and power of the civil government to enforce its doctrine is a member of a harlot church and a commandment breaker in the books of heaven and that person will not receive the seal of God.

“The Lord’s injunction, ‘Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers’ (2 Corinthians 6:14), refers not only to the marriage of Christians with the ungodly, but to all alliances in which the parties are brought into intimate association, and in which there is need of harmony in spirit and action. …

“The only correct standard of character is the holy law of God, and it is impossible for those who make that law the rule of life to unite in confidence and cordial brotherhood with those who turn the truth of God into a lie, and regard the authority of God as a thing of nought.

“Those who fear God cannot choose the ungodly for companions, and be themselves unharmed. In these societies they are brought under the influence of worldly principles and customs, and through the power of association and habit the mind becomes more and more conformed to the worldling’s standard. Oh, it is an easy thing, by association with the world, to catch their spirit, to be molded by their views of things, so that we do not discern the preciousness of Jesus and the truth. And just to the degree that the spirit of the world dwells in our heart, it will control our life.

“When men are not under the control of the word and the Spirit of God, they are captives of Satan, and we know not to what lengths he may lead them in sin. The patriarch Jacob beheld those who take pleasure in wickedness. He saw what would be the result of association with them, and in the Spirit he explained, ‘O my soul, come not thou into their secret; unto their assembly, mine honour, be not thou united’ (Genesis 49:6). He lifts up the danger signal, to warn every soul against such associations. The apostle Paul echoes the warning: ‘Have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness’ (Ephesians 5:11). ‘Be not deceived: Evil company doth corrupt good manners’ (1 Corinthians 15:33, R.V.).

“These societies, that are not controlled by the love and fear of God, will not be found true and upright toward man. Many of their transactions are contrary to justice and equity. He who is of too pure eyes to behold evil will not, cannot, be a party to many things that take place in these associations. …

“Of course all this is denied by the members of these bodies. But God looks beneath the pleasant, attractive appearance, to the secret, underlying motives and the real working of the association. While some of them claim to make the word of God in a certain sense the basis of their organization, they depart far from the principles of righteousness. The vows imposed by some of these orders require the taking of human life when the secrets of the order are divulged. Members are also pledged, under certain circumstances to clear the guilty from deserved punishment. Toward those who work against the order, they are required to pursue a course that is not at all in harmony with the law of God. …

“Fraud runs all through these secret associations, and none can be bound up with them and be free men before God and heaven. …

“In the revelation of His righteous judgments, God will break up all these associations; and when the judgment shall sit and the books be opened, there will be revealed the unChristlikeness of the whole confederacy. Those who choose to unite with these secret societies are paying homage to idols as senseless and as powerless to bless and save the soul as are the gods of the Hindus. …

“These societies offer some advantages which from a human point of view appear like great blessings, but not so when judged by the Lord’s measurement. Behind their apparent advantages are concealed satanic agencies. …

“Christians must sever every tie that binds them to these secret orders that are not under the control of God. They cannot be loyal to these organizations and loyal to God.” Ibid., 121, 127–132

“Those who stand under the bloodstained banner of Prince Immanuel cannot be united with the Free Masons or with any secret organization. The seal of the living God will not be placed upon anyone who maintains such a connection after the light of truth has shone upon his pathway.” Ibid., 140

Ellen White writes repeatedly that we must break away from these churches and organizations. The Bible says to “Come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, and I will receive you.” 2 Corinthians 6:17

Not all people are in Babylon or a harlot church; some are in Egypt, even some Adventists.

“I am filled with sadness when I think of our condition as a people. The Lord has not closed heaven to us, but our own course of continual backsliding has separated us from God. …

“The church has turned back from following Christ her Leader, and is steadily retreating toward Egypt. Yet few are alarmed or astonished at their want of spiritual power.” Testimonies, vol. 5, 217

The Bible says to come out of Egypt. What is the land of Egypt and what does it mean to be in Egypt?

  1. Egypt is a land of bondage. “And God spoke all these words, saying: ‘I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.’ ” Exodus 20:1, 2. When speaking to the Jews, Jesus said, “ ‘And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall set you free.’ ” John 8:32. The Jews said they were Abraham’s descendants and had never been in bondage. We know from the Bible that this was not true. So Jesus said, “ ‘Most assuredly I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin. And a slave does not abide in the house forever, but a son abides forever. Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.’” Verses 34–36. If your will is in bondage to sin, then you are in Egypt.

Every person, Ellen White writes, finds in himself a “bent to evil, a force which, unaided, he cannot resist.” Education, 29

  1. Egypt is a land of darkness. False teachings are taught by false teachers, sin abounds, people do not love their brother, and hearts have become hard.

Most of the world today is in darkness. Jesus said, “ ‘And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.’ ” John 3:19. Paul said that Christians are to put off the works of darkness and put on the garment of light.

  1. Egypt is also a land of sensuality. “And the children of Israel said to them, ‘Oh, that we had died by the hand of the Lord in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the pots of meat and when we ate bread to the full! For you have brought us out into this wilderness to kill this whole assembly with hunger.’” Exodus 16:3. Freed from the bondage of Egypt and receiving the food of angels, they sat in the wilderness and cried for the flesh pots of Egypt. Ellen White adds, “We have been going back to Egypt rather than on to Canaan. Shall we not reverse the order of things?” Counsels on Diet and Foods, 319.

They also had learned many different forms of entertainment while in Egypt that went directly contrary to the law of God, entertainment that included immodesty and ultimately fornication (Exodus 32:23–25).

Egypt is a place where you eat as you like, whenever you want, and indulge in all kinds of sensual pleasures without limit.

  1. Egypt is a land of wealth and prosperity. It is for this reason that so many in the world would prefer to live in Egypt. Remember the story of the rich young ruler? After he went away sorrowful, unable to part with his wealth, Jesus said, “‘Assuredly, I say to you that it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. And again I say to you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.’ ” Matthew 19:23, 24
  2. Egypt is a land where men do not acknowledge the God of heaven. The world may admit that God exists, but they do not acknowledge His sovereignty or right to control and direct our lives. Pharaoh said, “Who is the Lord that I should obey His voice to let Israel go? I do not know the Lord … .” Exodus 5:2. Egypt is a land of unbelief. The world believes in worldly philosophy, and they put their trust in what man can do.

Isaiah wrote to the people of his day, “Now the Egyptians are men, and not God … .” Isaiah 31:3. And Jeremiah pronounces a curse on the one who puts his trust in the arm of flesh: “Cursed is the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his strength, whose heart departs from the Lord.” Jeremiah 17:5

“Where are you?” God is asking each of us this question. He knows where we are, but do we? Are we in Babylon or a harlot church seeking support from the secular powers? Are we associated with some secret society that claims Christianity, but is violating the ten commandments? Or are we in Egypt, in bondage and darkness, participating in sensual pleasures, wealth and prosperity, denying the sovereignty of God over our life? Are we trusting man rather than God?

“ ‘Return, O backsliding children.’ ” Jeremiah 3:14. God says that He will take us out of Babylon, out of that harlot church or secret society. He says that He will deliver us from Egypt and its sensual and idolatrous influences. Do we desire deliverance? Then our answer to His question must be “Deliver us, Lord. Deliver us.” [Emphasis supplied.]

Pastor John J. Grosboll is Director of Steps to Life and pastors the Prairie Meadows Church in Wichita, Kansas. He may be contacted by email at: historic@stepstolife.org, or by telephone at: 316-788-5559.

Editorial – Tyranny and Tyrants

by

When the fathers of the United States signed the Declaration of Independence, they stated that their reason for making this declaration was that “[t]he history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute tyranny over these States. …” They then listed over thirty complaints among which were, making judges subject to his will alone, creating a police state, depriving citizens of trial by jury and sending armies of mercenaries to support his tyranny. They concluded by saying, “… In every stage of these Oppressions We have Petitioned for Redress in the most humble terms: Our repeated Petitions have been answered only by repeated injury. A Prince whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a Tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free people.”

Notice their repeated charge was that King George was a tyrant, and they had decided to free themselves from his tyranny. All these excesses, and more, could happen again in the United States or in any nation, but what is more important is to know that the devil is the real tyrant. Human beings become tyrants because they are under his control.

“The time of trouble is the crucible that is to bring out Christlike characters. It is designed to lead the people of God to renounce Satan and his temptations. The last conflict will reveal Satan … [as] a cruel tyrant, and it will do for them what nothing else could do, uproot him entirely from their affections. …

“The work of the enemy is not abrupt … it is a secret undermining of the strongholds of principle. It commences in small things—the neglect to be true to God and to rely upon Him wholly … . Our only safety is in searching the Scriptures and in being much on our knees before God, entreating Him to imbue us with His Spirit, that when the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord shall for us lift up a standard against him.” The Review and Herald, August 12, 1884

“Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.” Ephesians 6:11, 12