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The Prohibition

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Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Dec 23, 1875

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 46, No. 25.

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The Prohibition.

By M. Wood

Paul gives a gracious yet solemn admonition, applicable to many professed followers of Jesus in these days, in the words: “Be not conformed to this world.” This language is addressed to Christians; and Christians are Christ’s living epistles to a fallen world. They are to tell of a Saviour’s love, breathe his spirit, and testify of his merits. They are to herald to every nation upon earth the glad tidings that Jesus is soon coming.
But what effect will talking or writing have upon those who hear or read, if we ourselves are conformed to the world, and show that we are ensnared by its fascinating allurements? How very inconsistent to be one day at the Lord’s table, showing forth his death, and another, in the giddy dance, keeping time to the sound of music; or to spend a portion of the morning in reading the Scriptures which are able to make one wise unto salvation, and in the evening sit down at a game of cards or visit the theatre or opera. Neither should time and money be spent in adorning the person in costly array, in open violation of the rules laid down by the apostle in 1 Pet. 3:2–4. How much conformity to the world there is among professors of that religion which requires us to mortify the flesh with its affections and lusts. How many follow the fashions of the world, and seek after its pleasures and gay amusements?
Dear reader, are you conforming to the world to avoid its frowns and to escape persecution? If so, remember you are no better than Jesus, and he was persecuted. Think of his words: “Marvel not if the world hate you; for ye know that it hated me before it hated you.” But how can the world hate those who conform to it and so much resemble it? It cannot. It does not. There is not that distinction between professed Christians and the world which there ought to be. If we were the temples of the Holy Ghost, if Christ dwelt in us, if we lived in close fellowship with God, and walked in the light which God has been pleased to give unto us, could we be so conformed to the world as many of us are? M. WOOD.
Boston, Mass.