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may become wise. We should day by day study the Bible diligently,
weighing every thought, and comparing scripture with scripture.
With divine help, we are to form our opinions for ourselves, as we
are to answer for ourselves before God.
The truths most plainly revealed in the Bible have been involved
in doubt and darkness by learned men, who, with a pretense of great
wisdom, teach that the Scriptures have a mystical, a secret, spiritual
meaning not apparent in the language employed. These men are
false teachers. It was to such a class that Jesus declared, “Ye know
not the Scriptures, neither the power of God.” [Mark 12:24.] The language of the Bible should be explained according to its obvious
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meaning unless a symbol or figure is employed. Christ has given the
promise, “If any man will do His will, he shall know of the doctrine.”
[John 7:17.] If men would but take the Bible as it reads, if there were no false teachers to mislead and confuse their minds, a work
would be accomplished that would make angels glad, and that would
bring into the fold of Christ thousands upon thousands who are now
wandering in error.
We should exert all the powers of the mind in the study of the
Scriptures, and should task the understanding to comprehend, as far
as mortals can, the deep things of God; yet we must not forget that
the docility and submission of a child is the true spirit of the learner.
Scriptural difficulties can never be mastered by the same methods
that are employed in grappling with philosophical problems. We
should not engage in the study of the Bible with that self-reliance
with which so many enter the domains of science, but with a prayer-
ful dependence upon God, and a sincere desire to learn his will. We
must come with a humble and teachable spirit to obtain knowledge
from the great I AM. Otherwise, evil angels will so blind our minds
and harden our hearts that we shall not be impressed by the truth.
Many a portion of Scripture which learned men pronounce a
mystery, or pass over as unimportant, is full of comfort and instruc-
tion to him who has been taught in the school of Christ. One reason
why many theologians have no clearer understanding of God’s word
is, they close their eyes to truths which they do not wish to practice.
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An understanding of Bible truth depends not so much on the power
of intellect brought to the search as on the singleness of purpose, the
earnest longing after righteousness.
Never should the Bible be studied without prayer. The Holy
Spirit alone can cause us to feel the importance of those things easy
to be understood, or prevent us from wresting truths difficult of
comprehension. It is the office of heavenly angels to prepare the
heart to so comprehend God’s word that we shall be charmed with its
beauty, admonished by its warnings, or animated and strengthened
by its promises. We should make the psalmist’s petition our own:
“Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy
law.” [Psalm 119:18.] Temptations often appear irresistible because through neglect of prayer and the study of the Bible the tempted one
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Scripture weapons. But angels are round about those who are willing
to be taught in divine things, and in the time of great necessity, they
will bring to their remembrance the very truths which are needed.
Thus when the enemy comes in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord
will lift up a standard against him.
All who value their eternal interests should be on their guard
against the inroads of skepticism. The very pillars of truth will be
assailed. It is impossible to keep beyond the reach of the sarcasms
and sophisms, the insidious and pestilent teachings, of modern in-
fidelity. Satan adapts his temptations to all classes. He assails the
illiterate with a jest or sneer, while he meets the educated with sci-
entific objections and philosophical reasoning, alike calculated to
excite distrust or contempt of the Scriptures. Even youth of little
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experience presume to insinuate doubts concerning the fundamental
principles of Christianity. And this youthful infidelity, shallow as
it is, has its influence. Many are thus led to jest at the faith of their
fathers, and to do despite to the Spirit of grace. Many a life that
promised to be an honor to God and a blessing to the world, has been
blighted by the foul breath of infidelity. All who trust to the boastful
decisions of human reason, and imagine that they can explain divine
mysteries, and arrive at truth unaided by the wisdom of God, are
entangled in the snare of Satan.
We are living in the most solemn period of this world’s history.
The destiny of earth’s teeming multitudes is about to be decided. Our
own future well-being and also the salvation of other souls depends
upon the course which we now pursue. We need to be guided by
the Spirit of truth. Every follower of Christ should earnestly inquire,
“Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?” We need to humble ourselves
before the Lord, with fasting and prayer, and to meditate much upon
his word, especially upon the scenes of the Judgment. We should
now seek a deep and living experience in the things of God. We have
not a moment to lose. Events of vital importance are transpiring
around us; we are on Satan’s enchanted ground. Sleep not, sentinels
of God; the foe is lurking near, ready at any moment, should you
become lax and drowsy, to spring upon you and make you his prey.
Many are deceived as to their true condition before God. They
congratulate themselves upon the wrong acts which they do not
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commit, and forget to enumerate the good and noble deeds which
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God requires of them, but which they have neglected to perform. It
is not enough that they are trees in the garden of God. They are to
answer his expectation by bearing fruit. He holds them accountable
for their failure to accomplish all the good which they could have
done, through his grace strengthening them. In the books of Heaven
they are registered as cumberers of the ground.
When the testing time shall come, those who have made God’s
word their rule of life will be revealed. In summer there is no
noticeable difference between evergreens and other trees; but when
the blasts of winter come, the evergreens remain unchanged, while
other trees are stripped of their foliage. So the false-hearted professor
may not now be distinguished from the real Christian, but the time
is just upon us when the difference will be apparent. Let opposition
arise, let the voice of the dragon be heard, let persecution be kindled,