The Great Controversy The Great Controversy | Page 586

the multitudes eagerly accept the delusions of Satan. They give the rein
to lust and practice the sins which have called down judgments upon the
heathen.
Those who teach the people to regard lightly the commandments of
God sow disobedience to reap disobedience. Let the restraint imposed
by the divine law be wholly cast aside, and human laws would soon
be disregarded. Because God forbids dishonest practices, coveting,
lying, and defrauding, men are ready to trample upon His statutes as
a hindrance to their worldly prosperity; but the results of banishing these
precepts would be such as they do not anticipate. If the law were not
binding, why should any fear to transgress? Property would no longer be
safe. Men would obtain their neighbor’s possessions by violence, and the
strongest would become richest. Life itself would not be respected. The
marriage vow would no longer stand as a sacred bulwark to protect the
family. He who had the power, would, if he desired, take his neighbor’s
wife by violence. The fifth commandment would be set aside with the
fourth. Children would not shrink from taking the life of their parents
if by so doing they could obtain the desire of their corrupt hearts. The
civilized world would become a horde of robbers and assassins; and
peace, rest, and happiness would be banished from the earth.
Already the doctrine that men are released from obedience to God’s
requirements has weakened the force of moral obligation and opened
the floodgates of iniquity upon the world. Lawlessness, dissipation, and
corruption are sweeping in upon us like an overwhelming tide. In the
family, Satan is at work. His banner waves, even in professedly Christian
households. There is envy, evil surmising, hypocrisy, estrangement,
emulation, strife, betrayal of sacred trusts, indulgence of lust. The whole
system of religious principles and doctrines, which should form the
foundation and framework of social life, seems to be a tottering mass,
ready to fall to ruin. The vilest of criminals, when thrown into prison for
their offenses, are often made the recipients of gifts and

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