p. 10 | Searching the Word by T. E. Bowen

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Feb 25, 1909

Searching the Word

By T. E. Bowen

T. E. BOWEN

The Bible! What a blessed volume! How wonderfully God has preserved it through all the years, even though the enmity of Satan has found expression in terrible bursts of rage against it, in the vain hope of ridding the earth of it! Yet the blessed Book survives every storm, and provides both an anchor and a haven for the sincere, tempest-tossed soul.

But even in the house of its professed friends, it sometimes suffers most—not from attack, so much as through neglect. How much is lost by the Christian in not calmly sitting down beside the private altar to spend some time each day in the realm of God’s thoughts! What a privilege thus to sit as a learner at the feet of Jesus, as did Mary of Bethany!

The strength thus gathered may mean much to us in some future assault by the enemy at an unexpected moment.

An extract from “Early Writings,” page 262, emphasizes this point: “I saw that the saints must have a thorough understanding of present truth, which they will be obliged to maintain from the Scriptures. They must understand the state of the dead; for the spirits of devils will yet appear to them, professing to be beloved relatives or friends, who will declare to them unscriptural doctrines. They will do all in their power to excite sympathy, and work miracles before them, to confirm what they declare.”

Nothing but a “Thus saith the Lord” can break this spell. Imagine that after the death of some loved one—a child, wife, or mother—one of those angels cast out of heaven should appear to you, and in a loving, sympathetic manner, begin talking with you. So far as you can see, here is the lost one—features the same, voice unchanged—tenderly conversing with you. Yes, and more, she comes expressly to help you, as your especial friend, at the same time attempting, very adroitly, perhaps, to lead you into some pleasing, and no doubt apparently very reasonable, path.

You may think now that all this would not tempt you. But do not be too sure. Many who have thought themselves secure, have been seduced. Why?—Because the devil came in a different manner than they expected. Exactly! This is the very point. The devil is pleased for us to think we are strong, and need not be on guard.

The temptations brought to Jesus were powerful. Satan came as a friend. He sympathized with Christ. He pitied him. His arguments were presented in a masterful manner. He no doubt suggested that it was a shame for Christ to endure so much for a world of sinners, and that only a few at most would accept him as their Redeemer. He had a better way than that planned in heaven by the Father and the Son. He offered to give over the whole controversy if one very little point was conceded: if Christ would simply bow down to him. Just this little act, he reasoned, would settle it all. What alone held Jesus in these supreme moments of testing?—Nothing but the simple Word of God. “It is written,” silenced the wily foe.

Thus alone with the tempter we shall have to defend the points of our faith. Can we do it?—Not without first having studied them out for ourselves, from our Bibles. The Holy Spirit can not bring to our remembrance that which we do not know, or have not previously learned. The devil studies the Bible to wrest its true meaning in our deception. Shall we let him outwit us? God grant we shall not foolishly deny the faith and lose eternal life. Let us, instead, grasp the Spirit’s sword, in the courage of soldiers, and “fight the good fight of the faith, [and] lay hold on the life eternal.”

Takoma Park, D. C.