Fanaticism-2 quotes

1) "He [Satan] is working with all his insinuating, deceiving power, to lead men away from the third angel's message, which is to be proclaimed with mighty power. If Satan sees that the Lord is blessing his people and preparing them to discern his delusions, he will work with his master power to bring in fanaticism on the one hand and cold formalism on the other, that he may gather in a harvest of souls. Now is our time to watch unceasingly. Watch, bar the way to the least step of advance that Satan can make among you." Selected Messages, book 2, p 19-20.

2) "Erroneous ideas will be brought into the work, and presented as part of the truth to the people; but everything that God has not connected with the truth will only serve to weaken the message and lessen the force of its claims. Satan is constantly seeking to divert the mind from the real work to a spurious work; and those who have but little experience in the dealings of God, are in danger of becoming bound about with overstrained notions, and of holding ideas similar in character to those which bound the Jews in the days of the Saviour's sojourn with men...

"There are those who turn away from this great and all-important work, to follow their own way. They have independent ideas and will not receive counsel. They choose to follow their own course, until the third angel's message becomes a thing of minor importance, and finally it loses all its value. They hold another doctrine, opposed in principal to the doctrine of the Bible. They do not comprehend the nature of the work, and instead of leading the people to the firm platform of truth, they lead them to place their feet on the sandy foundations of error. They induce men to wear a yoke that is not the yoke of the meek and lowly Jesus...

"The truth, pure and unadulterated, must be presented to the people. It is the third angel's message that bears the true test to the people. Satan will lead men to manufacture false tests, and thus seek to obscure the value of, and make of none effect, the message of truth. The commandment of God that has been almost universally made void, is the testing truth for this time." Review & Herald, May 29, 1888 (vol 2, p 215).

4) "Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers. For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the circumcision: Whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre's sake." Titus 1:9-11.

5) "Again and again in past years I have been bidden to speak in protest against the fanciful and forbidden schemes that have been presented by one and another. My message has ever been, Preach the Word in simplicity and all humility; present clear, unadulterated truth to the people. Open no door to fanatical movements, for the influence of these is to bring confusion of mind and discouragement and lack of faith to God's people....

6) "We have reached a time when things are to be called by their right name. As we did in the earlier days, we must arise, and, in the spirit of God, rebuke the work of deception. Some of the sentiments now expressed are the alpha of some of the most fanatical ideas that could be presented. Teachings similar to those we had to meet soon after 1844 are being taught by some who occupy important positions in the work of God." Selected Messages, book 2, p 26.

9) "Those who do the work of the Lord in our cities must close and bolt the doors firmly against excitement and fanaticism. The word of God is our sanctification and righteousness, because it is spiritual food. To study it is to eat the leaves of the tree of life. Nothing is more uplifting to God's servants than to teach the Scriptures just as Christ taught them. The Word of God contains divine nourishment, which satisfies the appetite for spiritual food." Evangelism, p 138-139.

11) "These persons (religious fanatics) had no love for union and harmony of action. They delighted in disorder. Confusion, distraction, and diversity of opinion were their choice. They were ungovernable, unsubdued, unregenerated, and unconsecrated, and this element of confusion suited their undisciplined minds. They were a curse to the cause of God..." Testimonies, vol 2, p 553-554.

"They (fanatics) all want full religious liberty, and each acts independent of the others, and yet they claim that God is especially at work among them....there are, and will continue to be, those who profess the Sabbath, who will move independent of the body, and believe and act as they choose. Their views are confused. Their scattered state is a standing testimony that God is not with them." Testimonies, vol 1, p 418, 420.

12) "I was shown that this device of Satan (fanatical belief) would not have taken so readily...if the minds and hearts of God's people had been united and in union with the work....It will be easy for them (fanatics) to think that they can go, an independent company, alone to heaven, and easy for them to fall into Satan's snare. He is very unwilling to let go his hold...He has other deceptions prepared for those who are not united with the body." Testimonies, vol 1, p 229.

15) "Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revelings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in the time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God." Galatians 5:19-21.

16) "The rigorous exactions of the Pharisees, the heavy yokes of the traditions of men, made of none effect the commandment of God, and the work of Christ was to free the truth from the rubbish of human error and superstition, that men might behold the true character of God, and serve Him in spirit and truth. Those who proclaim the truth for today have a similar work to do. The truth must be lifted from the obscurity of men's traditions and errors that the world may behold the marvelous light of the gospel of the Son of God." Review and Herald, May 29, 1888 (vol 2 p 215 col 2).

"We are not out of danger even now. Every soul who engages to give to the world the message of warning will be sorely tempted to pursue such a course in life as to deny his faith. We must as workers be united in frowning down and condemning anything that bears the least approach to evil, in our associations with one another. Our faith is holy..." Selected Messages, book 2, p 29.

18) "The position which you occupied after the fanaticism at ____, standing back upon your dignity, splitting hairs, dividing the matter with the fanatical and with those whom God had sent with a special message, stood directly in the way of others' seeing and correcting their wrongs. Your course at that time, in failing to take hold and work on the right side to correct blasting fanaticism, gave shape to the discouraging state of things which has grown out of that dark reign of fanaticism. Brethren C and D, and the entire church at ____, and the people at ____, were not brought out upon correct positions, as they might have been had you been humble and teachable, working in union with the servants of God." Testimonies, vol 2, p 547.

19) "By her fanatical course she had forfeited all claims to Christian fellowship. And that the course of H.A. and Mrs. C should be shunned, and protested against. And if the church did not cut loose from those who pursued such a course, and lift their voice against it they would incur God's frown, and be partakers with them in their evil deeds." Spiritual Gifts, vol 2, p 159.

22) "Brother G had sufficient light to take his stand against that fanatical work; but he would not decide from the weight of the evidence. His heart is not right with God. He has not possessed the spirit of the third angel's message. He shut himself away from union and sympathy with God's people before this delusion arose, and this is one reason why he was left in such darkness." Testimonies, vol 1, p 231-232.

23) "Many are the forms of human influence through which Satan works to bind his captives. He secures multitudes to himself by attaching them by the silken cords of affection to those who are enemies of the cross of Christ. Whatever this attachment may be, parental, filial, conjugal, or social, the affect is the same; the opposers of truth rule with despotic power, and the souls held under their sway have not sufficient courage or independence to obey their own convictions of duty." Spirit of Prophecy, vol 4, p 416.

"The theory of mind controlling mind was originated by Satan, to introduce himself as the chief worker, to put human philosophy where divine philosophy should be. Of all the errors that are finding acceptance among professedly Christian people, none is a more dangerous deception, none more certain to separate man from God than as this. Innocent though it may appear, if exercised upon patients it will tend to destruction, not to their restoration. It opens a door through which Satan will enter to take possession both of the mind that is given up to be controlled by another, and of the mind that controls. Fearful is the power thus given to evil minded men and women. What opportunities it affords to those who live by taking advantage of other's weaknesses or follies!" Ministry of Healing, p 243.

26) "I was pointed back, and saw that in every important move, every decision made or point gained by God's people, some have arisen to carry matters to extremes, and to move in an extravagant manner, which has disgusted unbelievers, distressed God's people, and brought the cause of God into disrepute. The people whom God is leading out in these last days, will be troubled with just such things. But much evil will be avoided if the ministers of Christ will be of one mind, united in their plans of action, and united in effort. If they will stand together, sustain one another, and faithfully reprove and rebuke wrong, they will soon cause it to wither. But Satan has controlled these matters very much. Private members and even preachers have sympathized with disaffected ones who have been reproved for their wrongs, and division of feeling has been the result. The one who has ventured out and discharged his disagreeable duty by faithfully meeting error and wrong, is grieved and wounded that he receives not the fullest sympathy of his preaching brethren. He becomes discouraged in discharging these painful duties, lays down the cross, and withholds the pointed testimony. His soul is shut up in darkness, and the church suffer for lack of the very testimony which God designed should live among His people. Satan's object is gained when the faithful testimony is suppressed. Those who so readily sympathize with the wrong consider it a virtue; but they realize not that they are exerting a scattering influence, that they themselves help to carry out Satan's plans.

"I saw that many souls have been destroyed by their brethren unwisely sympathizing with them, when their only hope was to be left to see and realize the full extent of their wrongs. But as they eagerly accept the sympathy of unwise brethren, they receive the idea that they are abused; and if they attempt to retrace their steps, they make halfhearted work. They divide the matter to suit their natural feelings, lay blame upon the reprover, and so patch up the matter. It is not probed to the bottom, and is not healed, and they again fall into the same wrong, because they were not left to feel the extent of their wrong, and humble themselves before God, and let Him build them up. False sympathizers have worked in direct opposition to the mind of Christ and ministering angels." Testimonies, vol 1, p 212-213.

27) "Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, and stubble; Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is. If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive the reward. If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire." 1 Corinthians 3:12-15.

28) "Paul speaks of those who bring to the foundation wood, hay, and stubble. This represents those who bring in as truth that which is not truth, even their own suppositions and fabrications. If these souls are saved, it will be as by fire, because they conscientiously thought they were working in harmony with the Word. They will only be as brands snatched out of the burning." Evangelism, p 213-214.

33) "Instead of catching up every new and fanciful interpretation of the Bible, cling to the message. Let not every influence affect you; but seek to develop a character that is consistent, meek, teachable, and yet firm and cheerful; and with all this, be sober and watch unto prayer. Walk in a perfect way. Let the high, sacred truth you profess be constantly elevating your character, ennobling and refining you, and fitting you for the heavenly courts. The learners in Christ's school must show that they are not unappreciative scholars. Let the sanctifying grace of God strengthen, soften, and subdue your entire nature. You must yourself be what you wish others to be. Christ prayed concerning his disciples, 'I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified.' Bring into your life the piety, the Christian courtesy, the respect for one another that you wish to see reflected in those who embrace the truth through your instrumentality." Review and Herald, May 29, 1888 (vol 2, p 216 col 1).


	"LET THERE BE LIGHT" Ministries home \| Sermon Quotes FEARFUL WAVES OF FANATICISM, Part 2 quotes (Click here for the Handout on the Principles of Fanaticism) 1) "He [Satan] is working with all his insinuating, deceiving power, to lead men away from the third angel's message, which is to be proclaimed with mighty power. If Satan sees that the Lord is blessing his people and preparing them to discern his delusions, he will work with his master power to bring in fanaticism on the one hand and cold formalism on the other, that he may gather in a harvest of souls. Now is our time to watch unceasingly. Watch, bar the way to the least step of advance that Satan can make among you." Selected Messages, book 2, p 19-20. 2) "Erroneous ideas will be brought into the work, and presented as part of the truth to the people; but everything that God has not connected with the truth will only serve to weaken the message and lessen the force of its claims. Satan is constantly seeking to divert the mind from the real work to a spurious work; and those who have but little experience in the dealings of God, are in danger of becoming bound about with overstrained notions, and of holding ideas similar in character to those which bound the Jews in the days of the Saviour's sojourn with men... "There are those who turn away from this great and all-important work, to follow their own way. They have independent ideas and will not receive counsel. They choose to follow their own course, until the third angel's message becomes a thing of minor importance, and finally it loses all its value. They hold another doctrine, opposed in principal to the doctrine of the Bible. They do not comprehend the nature of the work, and instead of leading the people to the firm platform of truth, they lead them to place their feet on the sandy foundations of error. They induce men to wear a yoke that is not the yoke of the meek and lowly Jesus... "The truth, pure and unadulterated, must be presented to the people. It is the third angel's message that bears the true test to the people. Satan will lead men to manufacture false tests, and thus seek to obscure the value of, and make of none effect, the message of truth. The commandment of God that has been almost universally made void, is the testing truth for this time." Review & Herald, May 29, 1888 (vol 2, p 215). 3) "It is through false theories and traditions that Satan gains his power over the human mind." Evangelism, p 589. 4) "Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers. For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the circumcision: Whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre's sake." Titus 1:9-11. 5) "Again and again in past years I have been bidden to speak in protest against the fanciful and forbidden schemes that have been presented by one and another. My message has ever been, Preach the Word in simplicity and all humility; present clear, unadulterated truth to the people. Open no door to fanatical movements, for the influence of these is to bring confusion of mind and discouragement and lack of faith to God's people.... "Whenever I have been called to meet fanaticism in it's varied forms, I have received clear, positive, and definite instruction to lift my voice against its influence." Selected Messages, book 2, p 28. 6) "We have reached a time when things are to be called by their right name. As we did in the earlier days, we must arise, and, in the spirit of God, rebuke the work of deception. Some of the sentiments now expressed are the alpha of some of the most fanatical ideas that could be presented. Teachings similar to those we had to meet soon after 1844 are being taught by some who occupy important positions in the work of God." Selected Messages, book 2, p 26. 7) "Wherefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith; Not giving heed to Jewish fables and commandments of men, that turn from the truth." Titus 1:13-14. 8) "I was instructed that fanaticism similar to that which we were called to meet after the passing of the time in 1844 would come in among us again in the closing days of the message, and that we must meet this evil just as decidedly now as we met it in our early experiences." Selected Messages, book 1, p 221. 9) "Those who do the work of the Lord in our cities must close and bolt the doors firmly against excitement and fanaticism. The word of God is our sanctification and righteousness, because it is spiritual food. To study it is to eat the leaves of the tree of life. Nothing is more uplifting to God's servants than to teach the Scriptures just as Christ taught them. The Word of God contains divine nourishment, which satisfies the appetite for spiritual food." Evangelism, p 138-139. 10) "One fanatic, with his strong spirit and radical ideas, who will oppress the conscience of those who want to be right, will do great harm. The church needs to be purified from all such influences." Selected Messages, book 2, p 319. 11) "These persons (religious fanatics) had no love for union and harmony of action. They delighted in disorder. Confusion, distraction, and diversity of opinion were their choice. They were ungovernable, unsubdued, unregenerated, and unconsecrated, and this element of confusion suited their undisciplined minds. They were a curse to the cause of God..." Testimonies, vol 2, p 553-554. "They (fanatics) all want full religious liberty, and each acts independent of the others, and yet they claim that God is especially at work among them....there are, and will continue to be, those who profess the Sabbath, who will move independent of the body, and believe and act as they choose. Their views are confused. Their scattered state is a standing testimony that God is not with them." Testimonies, vol 1, p 418, 420. 12) "I was shown that this device of Satan (fanatical belief) would not have taken so readily...if the minds and hearts of God's people had been united and in union with the work....It will be easy for them (fanatics) to think that they can go, an independent company, alone to heaven, and easy for them to fall into Satan's snare. He is very unwilling to let go his hold...He has other deceptions prepared for those who are not united with the body." Testimonies, vol 1, p 229. 13) "Brother G wished to wait until the fanaticism should develop, and it went on just as Satan would have it, until it did develop with terrible results." Testimonies, vol 1, p 314. 14) "A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump." Galatians 5:9. 15) "Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revelings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in the time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God." Galatians 5:19-21. 16) "The rigorous exactions of the Pharisees, the heavy yokes of the traditions of men, made of none effect the commandment of God, and the work of Christ was to free the truth from the rubbish of human error and superstition, that men might behold the true character of God, and serve Him in spirit and truth. Those who proclaim the truth for today have a similar work to do. The truth must be lifted from the obscurity of men's traditions and errors that the world may behold the marvelous light of the gospel of the Son of God." Review and Herald, May 29, 1888 (vol 2 p 215 col 2). 17) "After the passing of time in 1844, fanaticism came into the ranks of Adventists. God gave messages of warning to stay the incoming evil.... "We are not out of danger even now. Every soul who engages to give to the world the message of warning will be sorely tempted to pursue such a course in life as to deny his faith. We must as workers be united in frowning down and condemning anything that bears the least approach to evil, in our associations with one another. Our faith is holy..." Selected Messages, book 2, p 29. 18) "The position which you occupied after the fanaticism at ____, standing back upon your dignity, splitting hairs, dividing the matter with the fanatical and with those whom God had sent with a special message, stood directly in the way of others' seeing and correcting their wrongs. Your course at that time, in failing to take hold and work on the right side to correct blasting fanaticism, gave shape to the discouraging state of things which has grown out of that dark reign of fanaticism. Brethren C and D, and the entire church at ____, and the people at ____, were not brought out upon correct positions, as they might have been had you been humble and teachable, working in union with the servants of God." Testimonies, vol 2, p 547. 19) "By her fanatical course she had forfeited all claims to Christian fellowship. And that the course of H.A. and Mrs. C should be shunned, and protested against. And if the church did not cut loose from those who pursued such a course, and lift their voice against it they would incur God's frown, and be partakers with them in their evil deeds." Spiritual Gifts, vol 2, p 159. 20) "Error and false prophets are chosen before the gospel of Christ." Review and Herald, August 31, 1897 (vol 3, p 496 col 1). "In this degenerate age, error and darkness are preferred rather than light and truth." Testimonies, vol 2, p 689. 21) "Those who have turned away from a plain, 'Thus saith the Lord,' will be blinded in a superstitious faith in every kind of apostasy..." Review and Herald, August 31, 1897 (vol 3, p 495, col 3). 22) "Brother G had sufficient light to take his stand against that fanatical work; but he would not decide from the weight of the evidence. His heart is not right with God. He has not possessed the spirit of the third angel's message. He shut himself away from union and sympathy with God's people before this delusion arose, and this is one reason why he was left in such darkness." Testimonies, vol 1, p 231-232. 23) "Many are the forms of human influence through which Satan works to bind his captives. He secures multitudes to himself by attaching them by the silken cords of affection to those who are enemies of the cross of Christ. Whatever this attachment may be, parental, filial, conjugal, or social, the affect is the same; the opposers of truth rule with despotic power, and the souls held under their sway have not sufficient courage or independence to obey their own convictions of duty." Spirit of Prophecy, vol 4, p 416. 24) "There is a constant supplanting of God's truth by the theories and false doctrines of human origin. Movements are being set on foot to enslave the consciences of those who would be loyal to God." Testimonies, vol 5, p 546. 25) "I saw evil angels working with their wicked sophistries on men's minds, so that they might work on other minds, to deceive if possible the very elect." Series B#2 p 38. "The theory of mind controlling mind was originated by Satan, to introduce himself as the chief worker, to put human philosophy where divine philosophy should be. Of all the errors that are finding acceptance among professedly Christian people, none is a more dangerous deception, none more certain to separate man from God than as this. Innocent though it may appear, if exercised upon patients it will tend to destruction, not to their restoration. It opens a door through which Satan will enter to take possession both of the mind that is given up to be controlled by another, and of the mind that controls. Fearful is the power thus given to evil minded men and women. What opportunities it affords to those who live by taking advantage of other's weaknesses or follies!" Ministry of Healing, p 243. 26) "I was pointed back, and saw that in every important move, every decision made or point gained by God's people, some have arisen to carry matters to extremes, and to move in an extravagant manner, which has disgusted unbelievers, distressed God's people, and brought the cause of God into disrepute. The people whom God is leading out in these last days, will be troubled with just such things. But much evil will be avoided if the ministers of Christ will be of one mind, united in their plans of action, and united in effort. If they will stand together, sustain one another, and faithfully reprove and rebuke wrong, they will soon cause it to wither. But Satan has controlled these matters very much. Private members and even preachers have sympathized with disaffected ones who have been reproved for their wrongs, and division of feeling has been the result. The one who has ventured out and discharged his disagreeable duty by faithfully meeting error and wrong, is grieved and wounded that he receives not the fullest sympathy of his preaching brethren. He becomes discouraged in discharging these painful duties, lays down the cross, and withholds the pointed testimony. His soul is shut up in darkness, and the church suffer for lack of the very testimony which God designed should live among His people. Satan's object is gained when the faithful testimony is suppressed. Those who so readily sympathize with the wrong consider it a virtue; but they realize not that they are exerting a scattering influence, that they themselves help to carry out Satan's plans. "I saw that many souls have been destroyed by their brethren unwisely sympathizing with them, when their only hope was to be left to see and realize the full extent of their wrongs. But as they eagerly accept the sympathy of unwise brethren, they receive the idea that they are abused; and if they attempt to retrace their steps, they make halfhearted work. They divide the matter to suit their natural feelings, lay blame upon the reprover, and so patch up the matter. It is not probed to the bottom, and is not healed, and they again fall into the same wrong, because they were not left to feel the extent of their wrong, and humble themselves before God, and let Him build them up. False sympathizers have worked in direct opposition to the mind of Christ and ministering angels." Testimonies, vol 1, p 212-213. 27) "Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, and stubble; Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is. If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive the reward. If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire." 1 Corinthians 3:12-15. 28) "Paul speaks of those who bring to the foundation wood, hay, and stubble. This represents those who bring in as truth that which is not truth, even their own suppositions and fabrications. If these souls are saved, it will be as by fire, because they conscientiously thought they were working in harmony with the Word. They will only be as brands snatched out of the burning." Evangelism, p 213-214. 29) "And of some have compassion, making a difference: And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh." Jude 22-23. 30) "The mind can only be freed from error when every thread is cut that binds it to the fallacy of the enemy." Manuscript Release, vol 7, p 189 (Letter 87, February 25, 1905). 31) "But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine." Titus 2:1. 32) "Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world." 1 John 4:1. 33) "Instead of catching up every new and fanciful interpretation of the Bible, cling to the message. Let not every influence affect you; but seek to develop a character that is consistent, meek, teachable, and yet firm and cheerful; and with all this, be sober and watch unto prayer. Walk in a perfect way. Let the high, sacred truth you profess be constantly elevating your character, ennobling and refining you, and fitting you for the heavenly courts. The learners in Christ's school must show that they are not unappreciative scholars. Let the sanctifying grace of God strengthen, soften, and subdue your entire nature. You must yourself be what you wish others to be. Christ prayed concerning his disciples, 'I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified.' Bring into your life the piety, the Christian courtesy, the respect for one another that you wish to see reflected in those who embrace the truth through your instrumentality." Review and Herald, May 29, 1888 (vol 2, p 216 col 1). 34) "Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines." Hebrews 13:9.