SELF-DECEPTION by Eliza H. Morton

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Tuesday, February 17, 1885

FromThe Advent Review and Sabbath Herald, Vol. 62, No. 7

SELF-DECEPTION

By Eliza H. Morton

BY ELIZA H. MORTON.

In this age of spiritual darkness, when Satan is working with “all power and lying wonders,” it is an easy matter to be self-deceived. The natural heart loves the flowery road, shuns the rugged cross, and would fain make wrong seem right; but when Christ by his Spirit illumines the heart, touches it with convicting power, and clearly presents duty, then the only safe way is to say:—

Whate’er the burden be, O Lord, I’ll gladly lift it now; Give me but strength to do thy will, And ’neath the yoke I’ll bow.

The motive power of true godliness is love, and the written word is designed to test that love, by presenting a perfect rule of life. Those who seek to evade its plain teachings or lessen the force of its requirements, deceive themselves, and venture on dangerous ground.

Persecution, ignominy, and contempt pave the pathway of present truth; and those “who would shine as the stars forever and ever” must be honest, bear trials, face opposition, crucify pride, and be “broken vessels, meet for the Master’s use.” Self-deception fades away before the searching light of the “law and the testimony,” and sin will eventually stand forth in all its hideous deformity.

Those who have known what it is to truly love an earthly friend, know something of the manifestations of affection. Kindly words, helpful deeds, and a constant watchfulness that seeks to show regard for another, even to the sacrificing of personal comfort and ease, are some of the tokens of love; and in the history of humanity instances have been known of life being laid down for a friend. Applying this principle of the heart to our relation to God, self-deception becomes impossible. If we love Christ as we would an earthly friend, we shall be devoted to his service, and make sacrifices for his truth. And how much more, how much greater, and how much deeper, than for an earthly friend should be our love for the one who by his own death purchased eternal joy for us!

Time hastens on. Satan is training self-deceived individuals for a final work of darkness. A solemn message of warning is sounding; yet, as in days of old, men’s hearts are hardened, and their eyes blinded. Awake, O slumbering ones! Examine your hearts, O careless ones! Consecrate yourselves anew, O faithful ones! Lift up your eyes, “little flock,” for the dawning brightness of one eternal day tinges the horizon, and soon the “watchmen will leave the walls of Zion,” and God’s marvelous work be completed in the earth.

Portland, Me.