Mind, Character, and Personality Vol. 2 - Second Advent Revival

the cross and have said, All this He suffered for me. The Holy Spirit has shown me my
ingratitude, my sin in putting Christ to open shame. He who knows no sin has forgiven
my sin. He calls me to a higher, nobler life, and I press on to the things that are
before."--MS 161, 1897. {2MCP 777.2}
No Special Virtue in Confessing to Man.--I hope that none will obtain the idea that
they are earning the favor of God by confession of sins or that there is special virtue in
confessing to human beings. There must be in the experience that faith that works by
love and purifies the soul. The love of Christ will subdue the carnal propensities. The
truth not only bears within itself the evidence of its heavenly origin but proves that by
the grace of God's Spirit it is effectual in the purification of the soul.
778
The Lord would have us come to Him daily with all our troubles and confessions of sin,
and He can give us rest in wearing His yoke and bearing His burden. His Holy Spirit,
with its gracious influences, will fill the soul, and every thought will be brought into
subjection to the obedience of Christ.--5T 648 (1889). {2MCP 777.3}
Man Not to Confess to Fallen Man.--It is no degradation for man to bow down
before his Maker and confess his sins and plead for forgiveness through the merits of a
crucified and risen Saviour. It is noble to acknowledge your wrong before Him whom
you have wounded by transgression and rebellion. It lifts you up before men and
angels; for "he that humbleth himself shall be exalted." {2MCP 778.1}
But he who kneels before fallen man and opens in confession the secret thoughts
and imaginations of his heart is dishonoring himself by debasing his manhood and
degrading every noble instinct of his soul. . . . It is this degrading confession of man to
fallen man that accounts for much of the increasing evil which is defiling the world and
fitting it for final destruction.--5T 638, 639 (1889). {2MCP 778.2}
Open Confession of Secret Sins Sows Seeds of Evil. --I have been shown that
many, many confessions should never be spoken in the hearing of mortals; for the
result is that which the limited judgment of finite beings does not anticipate. Seeds of
evil are scattered in the minds and hearts of those who hear, and when they are under
temptation, these seeds will spring up and bear fruit, and the same sad experience will
be repeated. For, think the tempted ones, these sins cannot be so very grievous; for did
not those who have made confession, Christians of long standing, do these very
things? Thus the open confession in the church of these secret sins will prove a savor
of death rather than of life.--5T 645 (1889).
779 {2MCP 778.3}
Revealing of Secrets Separates a Soul from God.-- I saw that when sisters who
are given to talk get together, Satan is generally present; for he finds employment. He
stands by to excite the mind and make the most of the advantage he has gained. He
knows that all this gossip and talebearing and revealing of secrets and dissecting of