MID-WEEK MANNA FROM PASTOR NAT’S DESK:
December 6, 2023
God’s Saving Enmity
Part 47
THE GREATER HIS ENMITY AND WRATH THE GREATER HIS DEADLY DECEPTIONS
“Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and the sea! For the devil is come down upon you, having great wrath, because he knoweth he hath but a short time.” Rev. 12:12, KJV.Great Controversy, page 509:
“The tempter often works MOST successfully through those who are LEAST suspected of being under his control. The possessors of TALENT AND EDUCATION are admired and honored, as if these qualities could ATONE for the absence of the fear of God, or ENTITLE men to His favor. Talent and culture considered in themselves, are GIFTS of God; but when these are made to SUPPLY the place of piety, when INSTEAD of bringing the soul nearer to God, they lead away from Him, then they become a CURSE AND A SNARE.
“The opinion prevails with many that all which APPEARS as courtesy or refinement must, in some sense, pertain to CHRiST [and Christianity]. Never was there a GREATER mistake. [True] these qualities should grace the CHARACTER of every Christian, for they would exert a powerful influence in favor of TRUE RELIGION; but they must be CONSECRATED to God; or else they are a power for EVIL.
“Many a man [or woman] of cultures intellect and pleasant manners, who would not stoop to what is COMMONLY regarded as an immoral act, is but a POLISHED INSTRUMENT in the hands of Satan. The insidious, deceptive character of his influence and example renders him a MORE DANGEROUS ENEMY to the cause [of ‘the truth as it is in Jesus’] THAN THOSE WHO ARE IGNORANT AND UNCULTURED.” -E. G. White, Great Controversy, 1911 ed., p. 509 (all emphases and bracketed words mine).
How timeless and awesomely timely is the divine rebuke and warning raised by the weeping prophet to backsliding ancient Israel: “Cursed is the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm.” Jer. 17: 5, KJV.
To be continued next MWM, God willing. Bless all, NMF.