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Are We Guilty?, October 4
Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any
man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
1 John 2:15
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It is an alarming fact that the love of the world predominates in the
minds of the young. They decidedly love the world and the things that
are in the world, and for this very reason the love of God finds no room in
their hearts. Their pleasures are found in the world, and in the things of
the world, and they are strangers to the Father and the graces of His Spirit.
Frivolity and fashion, and empty, vain talking and laughing, characterize
the life of the youth generally, and God is dishonored....
Satan is gratified to have the attention of youth attracted by anything
to divert their minds from God.... They are not aware that the heavenly
Artist is taking cognizance of every act, every word, ... and that even
the thoughts and intents of the heart stand faithfully delineated.... Those
vain, frivolous words are all written in the book. Those false words are
written. Those deceptive acts, with the motives concealed from human
eyes, but discerned by the all-seeing eye of Jehovah, are all written in
living characters. Every selfish act is exposed. The young generally
conduct themselves as though the precious hours of probation, while
mercy lingers, were one grand holiday, and that they are placed in this
world simply for their own amusement.
Words and acts testify plainly what is in the heart. If vanity and pride,
love of self and love of dress, fill the heart, the conversation will be upon
the fashions, the dress, and the appearance, but not upon Christ or the
kingdom of heaven. If envious feelings dwell in the heart, the same will
be manifested in words and acts....
Some dwell upon what they shall eat and drink and wherewithal they
shall be clothed. Their hearts are filled with these thoughts, and they
flow out from the abundance of the heart, as though these things were
their grand aim in life, their highest attainment. They forget the words of
Christ, “Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all
these things shall be added unto you.”
Matthew 6:33
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