p. 3 | Things to Avoid by W. A. S.

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Sep 30, 1909

Things to Avoid

By W. A. S.

“But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes.” So wrote Paul to Timothy. The apostle had spent a life in preaching the plain straightforward message of the fulfilment of prophecy and the way of salvation from sin. He had no time for anything else. That work had built up churches and gathered out believers in all parts of the field. Now he saw elements developing in the churches, bringing in speculative theories and fanciful interpretations. But those were not the things that had built up the work. His instruction was, Avoid them; preach the message that God has given for this time.

Again he wrote: “Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing [or cutting a straight course in] the word of truth. But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness.” And so they did increase, as history shows.

This counsel by inspiration is for our time, when every wind of doctrine is blowing. Fanciful interpretations and speculative theories abound. We know the straightforward message for this time, which has built up the work and has made us all Seventh-day Adventists. That is the message that will make other people Seventh-day Adventists and finish the work. Let us cut a straight course, and hold forth the great truths that God has committed to us. Everywhere the people need to hear them. The time is short, the work is great, and we have no time for side-issues or speculative and freakish theories, which will increase unto more ungodliness. W. A. S.