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The Most Dangerous of Foes, December 20
Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall
depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines
of devils.
1 Timothy 4:1
.
The adversary of souls is constantly seeking to divert our minds by
bringing in side issues. Let us not be deceived. Let enemies handle your
name and mine as they please. Let them distort, misrepresent, our words
and deeds. Let them fabricate falsehoods as best pleases them. We cannot
afford to allow our minds to be diverted from Jesus and the preparation
of soul which we must have in order to meet Him in peace.... In Christ’s
stead, I beseech you to pray as you never prayed before, to seek earnestly
for faith and love, that seem to be almost banished from the earth. Live
each day as in the sight of God....
Let not false teachers confuse your minds and unsettle your faith
by casting reproach upon those whom God has sent you with messages
of warning and instruction. Remember that it is not mere men whom
you have to meet, but “principalities and powers, and wicked spirits
in high places.” Now is the very time when Satan is working with all
deceivableness of unrighteousness.
Many are in reality fighting his battles while they profess to serve un-
der the banner of Christ. These traitors in the camp may not be suspected,
but they are doing their work to create unbelief, discord, and strife. Such
are the most dangerous of foes. While they insinuate themselves into our
favor, and gain our confidence and sympathy, they are busy suggesting
doubts and creating suspicion. They work in the same manner as did
Satan in heaven when he deceived the angels by his artful representations,
placing darkness for light, and making the forbearance and mercy of God
to appear as harshness and severity. As he worked at the beginning, so he
works in the end, only concealing himself more perfectly from view....
It is not enough that we have the theory of the truth; its principles
must be inwrought in the soul, and exemplified in the life, or we shall fall
a prey to the delusions prepared for the last days.
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