Testimonies for the Church Vol 1 - Lansing SDA Church

506 Testimonies for the Church Volume 1[548][549]It has hitherto been the case that when one or two felt the necessityof arousing and standing unitedly and more firmly upon the elevatedplatform of truth, others would make no effort to arise. Satan puts inthem a spirit to rebel, to discourage those who would advance. Theybrace themselves when urged to take hold of the work, a stubbornspirit comes upon some, and when they should help they hinder. Somewill not submit to the planing knife of God. As it passes over them,and the uneven surface is disturbed, they complain of too close andsevere work. They wish to get out of God’s workshop, where theirdefects may remain undisturbed. They seem to be asleep as to theircondition; but their only hope is to remain where the defects in theirChristian character will be seen and remedied.Some are indulging lustful appetite which wars against the soul andis a constant hindrance to their spiritual advancement. They constantlybear an accusing conscience, and if straight truths are talked theyare prepared to be offended. They are self-condemned and feel thatsubjects have been purposely selected to touch their case. They feelgrieved and injured, and withdraw themselves from the assembliesof the saints. They forsake the assembling of themselves together,for then their consciences are not so disturbed. They soon lose theirinterest in the meetings and their love for the truth, and, unless theyentirely reform, will go back and take their position with the rebelhost who stand under the black banner of Satan. If these will crucifyfleshly lusts which war against the soul, they will get out of the way,where the arrows of truth will pass harmlessly by them. But whilethey indulge lustful appetite, and thus cherish their idols, they makethemselves a mark for the arrows of truth to hit, and if truth is spokenat all, they must be wounded. Some think that they cannot reform,that health would be sacrificed should they attempt to leave the useof tea, tobacco, and flesh meats. This is the suggestion of Satan. It isthese hurtful stimulants that are surely undermining the constitutionand preparing the system for acute diseases by impairing Nature’s finemachinery and battering down her fortifications erected against diseaseand premature decay.Those who make a change and leave off these unnatural stimulantswill for a time feel their loss and suffer considerably without them, asdoes the drunkard who is wedded to his liquor. Take away intoxicatingdrinks and he suffers terribly. But if he persists he will soon overcome