It is a masterpiece of Satan ' s deceptions to keep the minds of men searching and conjecturing in regard to that which God has not made known and which He does not intend that we shall understand . It was thus that Lucifer lost his place in heaven . He became dissatisfied because all the secrets of God ' s purposes were not confided to him , and he entirely disregarded that which was revealed concerning his own work in the lofty position assigned him . By arousing the same discontent in the angels under his command , he caused their fall . Now he seeks to imbue the minds of men with the same spirit and to lead them also to disregard the direct commands of God .
Those who are unwilling to accept the plain , cutting truths of the Bible are continually seeking for pleasing fables that will quiet the conscience . The less spiritual , self-denying , and humiliating the doctrines presented , the greater the favour with which they are received . These persons degrade the intellectual powers to serve their carnal desires . Too wise in their own conceit to search the Scriptures with contrition of soul and earnest prayer for divine guidance , they have no shield from delusion . Satan is ready to supply the heart ' s desire , and he palms off his deceptions in the place of truth . It was thus that the papacy gained its power over the minds of men ; and by rejection of the truth because it involves a cross , Protestants are following the same path . All who neglect the word of God to study convenience and policy , that they may not be at variance with the world , will be left to receive damnable heresy for religious truth .
Every conceivable form of error will be accepted by those who willfully reject the truth . He who looks with horror upon one deception will readily receive another . The apostle Paul , speaking of a class who " received not the love of the truth , that they might be saved ," declares : " For this cause God shall send them strong delusion , that they should believe a lie : that they all might be damned who believed not the truth , but had pleasure in unrighteousness ." 2 Thessalonians 2:10-12 . With such a warning before us it behooves us to be on our guard as to what doctrines we receive . Among the most successful agencies of the great deceiver are the delusive teachings and lying wonders of spiritualism . Disguised as an angel of light , he spreads his nets where least suspected . If men would but study the Book of God with earnest prayer that they might understand it , they would not be left in darkness to receive false doctrines . But as they reject the truth they fall a prey to deception .
Another dangerous error is the doctrine that denies the deity of Christ , claiming that He had no existence before His advent to this world . This theory is received with favour by a large class who profess to believe the Bible ; yet it directly contradicts the plainest statements of our Saviour concerning His relationship with the Father , His divine character , and His pre-existence . It cannot be entertained without the most unwarranted wresting of the Scriptures . It not only lowers man ' s conceptions of the work of redemption , but undermines faith in the Bible as a revelation from God . While this renders it the more dangerous , it makes it also harder to meet . If men reject the testimony of the inspired Scriptures concerning the deity of Christ , it is in vain to argue the point with them ;
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