"BORDERLAND"

"My message to you is: No longer consent to listen without protest to the perversion of truth." Selected Messages Book 1, Pg. 196

Never before in the history of the world, unless maybe at Sodom and the antediluvian world, has a society been so tuned towards feelings and so antagonistic towards authoritative principle. Feeling, feelings, feelings; how do you feel about this? What do you feel about that? Everywhere we see the attention being focused on emotions and feelings. Even our SS lessons ask us how we FEEL about certain Biblical concepts instead of focusing on whether our not their Biblical foundation is solid.

For those of you who think all this focus on FEELINGS is a great step forward towards a more sensitive society, I have a word of warning; what you feel or think about something really doesn’t make a bit of difference in the scheme of things. Nothing in God’s Universe is going to change course based on how you feel about it.

Truth is like a mighty mountain; if we don’t like it, it does not cease to exist; If we deny it and fight against it, it doesn’t go away; we can beat ourselves to bits against TRUTH and all that will happen is we will get worn out and perish. Truth will still be there when all its opposers are long gone.

Why is it that Satan is so promoting the concepts of emotions and feelings? Well, feelings are his specialty. He can’t change the principles of God’s Word or the precepts of God’s Law, he can’t change the laws of nature that God has laid down to control all things animate and inanimate. But he can sure play games with feelings, sensations and emotions!

Spiritualism is founded on feelings, sensations, imaginations, concepts, fantasies, masquerading demons and outright falsehood; shifting sands. The Truth of God is based on His Holy Word which cannot fail; solid Rock!

So do feelings play no part at all in a Christian’s experience? They sometimes play a part, but they are never to be the foundation! The true Christian’s feelings and emotions are under control of his principles, but if feelings rule, principles are easily cast aside.

"Whoever shall give way to his natural feelings and impulses makes himself weak and untrustworthy, for he is a channel through which Satan can communicate, to taint and corrupt many souls, and these unholy fits that control the person swerve his principle aside, and shame and confusion are the sure results." Spalding and Magan Collection pg. 107

If we are focussed in strongly to our feelings, not only can Satan work ON us but he also works THROUGH us to harm others.

"The true Christian does not allow any earthly consideration to come in between his soul and God. The commandment of God wields an authoritative influence over his affections and actions. If everyone seeking the kingdom of God and His righteousness would be always ready to work the works of Christ, how much easier would become the path to heaven. The blessings of God would flow into the soul, and the praises of the Lord would be on your lips continually. You would then serve God from principle. Your feelings might not always be of a joyous nature; clouds would at times shadow the horizon of your experience; but the Christian's hope does not rest upon the sandy foundation of feeling. Those who act from principle will behold the glory of God beyond the shadows and rest upon the sure word of promise. They will not be deterred from honoring God, however dark the way may seem. Adversity and trial will only give them an opportunity to show the sincerity of their faith and love." Mind, Character, and Personality Volume 2 pg. 495

Feelings and emotions are like a turbulent sea, Satan can blow on it and lash it this way and that, but principle anchors the soul and brings a blessed calm. We are told that Jesus possessed a calm serenity that nothing could ruffle because it was anchored firmly in God.

"Applause did not elate Him. He feared not the threats of His enemies. He moved amid the world of excitement, of violence and crime, as the sun moves above the clouds. Human passions and commotions and trials were beneath Him. He sailed like the sun above them all. Yet He was not indifferent to the woes of men. His heart was ever touched with the sufferings and necessities of His brethren, as though He Himself was the one afflicted. He had a calm inward joy, a peace which was serene. His will was ever swallowed up in the will of His Father." This Day with God pg. 263

In the church today there seems to be a great emphasis on having programs that excite the emotions, play on feeling and promote sensual indulgence. It is felt that these things are the way to bring more people into the church; of course these things appeal more to the carnal mind, but is this what is to be used to win converts?

"If the interest steadily increases, and the people move understandingly, not from impulse, but from principle, the interest is much more healthy and durable than it is where a great excitement and interest are created suddenly, and the feelings are excited… The feelings and sympathies of the people were stirred, but their consciences were not convicted, their hearts were not broken and humbled before God." Testimonies, vol. 3, pg. 218. (1872)

It is interesting that God says, "Come, let us reason together", rather than "Come and let’s celebrate!"

We are to build our faith on the solid Rock of Bible truth and then we are to stand on that foundation and let it direct all other concerns. When we do this, we can rejoice in the Lord, no matter what our feelings or circumstances may be at the time, because we have an assurance within that gives lasting joy.

Note the difference in meaning between ‘rejoice’ and ‘celebrate’:

Celebrate: To make famous. To mark by a ceremony, as an event or festival. To observe with solemn rites. (Notice the ‘event’ that a celebration occurs for is external.)

Rejoice: to feel joy, to exult, to triumph. (This is an internal, heart thing.)

Satan can play with our emotions like a musician plays a pipe-organ. This is why the only defence against him is the Word of God. When we can honestly say, well, I may feel this or that but the Word says this and by God’s grace there I stand! We will have an entirely different Christian experience than we ever thought we could have. Living by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God, gives a wonderful freedom and peace that no giving into emotions can ever duplicate.

Many people see a clear duty in SOP or Scripture and rise up against it–then they assure themselves they do not have to heed that particular injunction because they don’t feel good about it. In such cases Satan has another step forward to use, he brings into play impressions, dreams, and signs and wonders to assure the rebellious that indeed they are right in ignoring inspired council.

Some base some reassuring episode they have experienced in the present or past as an assurance that because God blessed them in this way, they are assured of right standing with Him forever. They forget that the Holy Spirit works with all people seeking to bless, encourage and woo them to the truth, but only by comparing our lives to the guidebook—can we know our standing in relationship to the will of God. Satan can also give counterfeits of dreams, impressions and experiences and in fact does this frequently.

Indeed the ‘evidence’ that some are willing to base their eternal security on is shaky sand indeed! One lady felt that because she spontaneously began singing a particular song, that seemed to hold the answer to her current spiritual dilemma, that this was an answer to her prayer, (and it may indeed have been) but the tendency is to go on to think it meant she was led of God and in no danger of going astray.

I know of people who took the fact that a vase of flowers had died, as evidence that a person that had recently died was sure to be saved in the kingdom. For one thing, such information is not for us to speculate on anyway.

Then of course we have the dreams, so many and so varied. One common one seems to be the seeing of Jesus in some form and His looking on the person with approval or with a smile. The persons receiving such a dream often take it as meaning that whatever course they had decided to peruse, in spite of biblical evidence to the contrary, was approved of Jesus and OK. One lady was using such a dream to justify her decision to reject the Spirit of Prophecy, a very dangerous choice indeed!

Brothers and sisters, Satan can appear as Jesus when we are not even dreaming, and he has no problem in appearing like this in our dreams. If our course of action causes us to disregard any instruction from the Bible or the Spirit of Prophecy, then you can be sure that no matter how good, and how wonderful you felt in your dream, it is not Jesus that gave it to you!

I will say here that I certainly do believe that God does give us dreams and insight through the Holy Spirit, each person who truly walks with the Lord will have times when he receives information or guidance in dreams and providential workings. BUT these dreams MUST be judged by the inspired council; not the inspired council laid aside so I can accept a dream! It is like many Mormons are taught that if they feel a ‘Burning in their Bosom’, they can know the doctrines they teach are true. How easy it is for Satan to create a ‘Burning in the Bosom’.

I have also recently had a conference Pastor quote to me the text, 1 Thessalonians 5:20 "Despise not prophesyings." Seeming to say by this that anything that comes along claiming to be prophesy, should be accepted. But immediately following this text, Paul adds: 21 "Prove all things; hold fast that which is good." If I look at a presentation of prophecy and I see several places where it deviates from SOP or I know other Bible passages show this position to be in error, I am not to accept it.

Friends, the whole rickety tower of spiritualism, is founded on feeling, sensations and counterfeit miracles. Why would the ‘People of the Book’ consent to step off our solid rock to perch on the limbs of such a structure? Only one reason, spiritualism promises you freedom to do whatever you wish, and no inhibition on your carnal desires, while the way of Truth demands you take up your cross and crucify self.

I spent several years chasing the elusive phantoms of the New Age and Eastern regions and I can truly second the words of the Spirit of Prophecy that when we get into these things we are indeed "In a Position Where the Enemy Can Talk With us and lead us away from God." I was strongly motivated at that time to seek to combine the ‘good’ parts of this spiritualism (I did not even see it as spiritualism then) with what I thought was Adventism from my SDA upbringing.

My problem was that I never really knew Adventism as it really is, but I am grateful to God for the little I knew, as without it, I never would have returned from that dead-fall trap I had wandered into. I can testify to the fact that Satan can make you feel good, he can give you experiences that you feel you are entering a new and higher stage of existence. He can give you special powers, telepathy, clairvoyance, dreams and trance experiences. But only God can really give you victory in your life and once you experience that, Satan can have his sideshow, you know where LIFE is to be found.

I am sad to say that those who are involved in these mysticisms are reluctant to admit they are evil. And we often hear of people who are involved in these practices among SDAs that when warned just pooh-pooh the idea and make fun of the one warning them saying, "Oh, these people think everything is from the devil!"

"There are many who shrink with horror from the thought of consulting spirit mediums, but who are attracted by more pleasing forms of spiritism. Others are led astray by the teachings of Christian Science, and by the mysticism of Theosophy and other Oriental religions." Prophets and Kings pg. 210

Then there are some, who on receiving an earnest warning, will leave off the spiritualism for a while, but then like a sow to her wallow will return. Why do they return? I can tell you from experience that the mystic practises with their interesting and wonderful sensations and their subtle promise of hidden knowledge, are very addictive and when you leave them there is often a sense of loneliness and loss. This is Satan luring you to return. Don’t ever do it! Instead run to Jesus as a little child and tattle on the devil. Ask Jesus to come close to you and drive the seducer away forever. Remember, if you return to the devil, he may make sure you never escape again!

Some people though, are looking for something to reassure them so they can feel OK to return to the wallow. For these Satan is only too glad to oblige by sending a dream or impression or by giving them an extra special experience as soon as they venture to try their mystic practices again. One person among us did this and on returning to her spiritualistic meditation, had a wonderful, joyous interaction with her counterfeit ‘Jesus’. Now she is actively promoting her mysticism among us through books etc. and will have to answer for the many souls who will be lost through her influence!! Terrible future that lies ahead for her, unless she repents.

Is it ever safe to visualize Jesus or anyone in our minds and then interact with this being? No Way! This is pure spiritualism! "Then said he unto me, Son of man, hast thou seen what the ancients of the house of Israel do in the dark, every man in the chambers of his imagery?" Ezekiel 8:12

So what is real meditation for Christians supposed to be? Real meditation is a combination of prayer and Bible/Spirit of Prophecy study, where we read or listen to concepts and then carefully think on them, seeking to understand them more deeply and to see how they apply to our lives.

I want to tell you one thing that I learned by the Grace of God; there is NOTHING to be found in worldly philosophy, in eastern mysticism, or in New Age modalities that is worth having, that we don’t already have in much better form in the Bible and Spirit of Prophecy! Why wallow in a pigsty to try and find a piece of bread, when Jesus will gladly hand you a whole loaf in His inspired Word?