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 favor 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 preexistence . 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 ; for no argument , however conclusive , could convince them . " The natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God : for they are foolishness unto him : neither can he know them , because they are spiritually discerned ." 1 Corinthians 2:14 . None who hold this error can have a true conception of the character or the mission of Christ , or of the great plan of God for man ' s redemption .
Still another subtle and mischievous error is the fast-spreading belief that Satan has no existence as a personal being ; that the name is used in Scripture merely to represent men ' s evil thoughts and desires . The teaching so widely echoed from popular pulpits , that the second advent of Christ is His coming to each individual at death , is a device to divert the minds of men from His personal coming in the clouds of heaven . For years Satan has thus been saying , " Behold , He is in the secret chambers " ( Matthew 24:23-26 ); and many souls have been lost by accepting this deception .
Again , worldly wisdom teaches that prayer is not essential . Men of science claim that there can be no real answer to prayer ; that this would be a violation of law , a miracle , and that miracles have no existence . The universe , say they , is governed by fixed laws , and God
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