Ministers and Physicians Drawn Into the Snare—There are doctors and ministers who have been influenced by the hypnotism exercised by the father of lies. Notwithstanding the warnings given, Satan’s sophistries are being accepted now just as they were accepted in the heavenly courts. The science by which our first parents were deceived is deceiving men today. Ministers and physicians are being drawn into the snare.—Manuscript 79, 1905. (2MCP 719.1) MC VC

Leading to Suicide—The world, who act as though there were no God, absorbed in selfish pursuits, will soon experience sudden destruction, and shall not escape. Many continue in the careless gratification of self until they become so disgusted with life that they kill themselves. (2MCP 726.1) MC VC

Dancing and carousing, drinking and smoking, indulging their animal passions, they go as an ox to the slaughter. Satan is working with all his art and enchantments to keep men marching blindly onward until the Lord arises out of His place to punish the inhabitants of earth for their iniquities, when the earth shall disclose her blood and no more cover her slain. The whole world appears to be in the march to death.—MS 139, 1903. (Evangelism, 26.) (2MCP 726.2) MC VC

Self Alive at Every Touch—What a victory you will gain when you learn to follow the opening providences of God with a grateful heart and a determination to live with an eye single to His glory, in sickness or health, in abundance or want. Self is alive and quivering at every touch. Self must be crucified before you can overcome in the name of Jesus and receive the reward of the faithful.—Testimonies for the Church 4:221 (1876). (2MCP 726.3) MC VC

The Most Incurable Sin—God cannot connect with those who live to please themselves, to make themselves first. Those who do this will in the end be last of all. The sin that is most nearly hopeless and incurable is pride of opinion, self-conceit. This stands in the way of all growth. When a man has defects of character, yet fails of realizing this; when he is so imbued with self-sufficiency that he cannot see his fault, how can he be cleansed? “They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick” (Matthew 9:12). How can one improve when he thinks his ways perfect?—Testimonies for the Church 7:199, 200 (1902). (2MCP 726.4) MC VC

Those Who Fall Lack Healthy Mental Attitude—Those taken in Satan’s snare have not yet come to a healthy mental attitude. They are dazed, self-important, self-sufficient. Oh, with what sorrow the Lord looks upon them and hears their great swelling words of vanity. They are puffed up with pride. The enemy is looking on with surprise at their being taken captive so easily.—Lt 126, 1906. (2MCP 793.1) MC VC

Overconfidence the Enemy’s Trap—How vain is the help of man when Satan’s power is exercised over a human being who has become self-exalted and who knows not that he is partaking of the science of Satan. In his self-confidence he walks right into the enemy’s trap and is ensnared. He did not heed the warnings given and was taken as Satan’s prey. If he had walked humbly with God, he would have run into the trysting place God had provided for him. Thus in times of danger he would have been safe, for God would have lifted for him a standard against the enemy.—Lt 126, 1906. (2MCP 793.2) MC VC

Heart Is Naturally Depraved—We must remember that our hearts are naturally depraved, and we are unable of ourselves to pursue a right course. It is only by the grace of God, combined with the most earnest efforts on our part, that we can gain the victory.—The Review and Herald, January 4, 1881. (HC 111.) (2MCP 793.3) MC VC

Bad Habits Prevent Development—Any habit or practice which will weaken the nerve and brain power or the physical strength disqualifies for the exercise of the next grace which comes in after temperance—patience.—MS 13, 1884. (HC 69.) (2MCP 793.4) MC VC