Those First Dangerous Steps
Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of
unbelief, in departing from the living God. Heb. 3:12.
When the Redeemer of the world walked among men, many who identified
themselves with Him as His disciples afterward forsook Him and became His
bitterest enemies. The Saviour tested their faith and developed the real
characters of the most ardent believers by applying spiritual truths to
their hearts. . . .
They must be Christlike, meek and lowly of heart, self-denying,
self-sacrificing; they must walk in the narrow path trodden by the Man of
Calvary if they would share in the gift of life and the glory of heaven. But
the test was too great. They walked no more with Him. They could not hear
the saying nor comprehend the nature of the truth He taught. . . .
The work of apostasy begins in some secret rebellion of the heart
against the requirements of God's law. Unholy desires, unlawful ambitions,
are cherished and indulged, and unbelief and darkness separate the soul from
God. If we do not overcome these evils, they will overcome us. Men who have
long been advancing in the path of truth will be tested with trial and
temptation. Those who listen to the suggestions of Satan and swerve from
their integrity begin the downward path, and some masterful temptation
hastens them on in the way of apostasy, till their descent is marked and
rapid. . . .
We need to be constantly on our guard, to watch and pray lest we enter
into temptation. The indulgence of spiritual pride, of unholy desires, of
evil thoughts, of anything that separates us from an intimate and sacred
association with Jesus imperils our souls. . . . If the thought of apostasy
is grievous to you, and you do not desire to become the enemies of the
truth, the accusers of the brethren, then "abhor that which is evil; cleave
to that which is good" (Rom. 12:9), and believe in Him who is "able to keep
you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his
glory with exceeding joy" (Jude 24).
>From That I May Know Him - Page 254
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