DECEPTIONS, THEIR TOUCHSTONES.
By M. E. Steward
ASSAYERS of gold sometimes use a hard black stone found in Asia Minor, or black basalt, for determining the purity of gold. Making a mark upon these stones with pure gold and then with its alloys, the amount of alloy is determined by the color of the mark. The Bible has furnished us touchstones by which we may know various deceptions. The root of all evil is selfishness. It was unholy ambition that caused the fall of Satan (Isa. 14:13-15), and the ruin of the human race. Self has always reigned supreme in all the heathen nations of earth. It is the very spirit of the Papacy, and still controls the children of disobedience, whether heathen, infidels, or those professing Christians who are not fully converted to God. It is the great lever of Satan with which he moves the world. It is the deadly poison which will cause the eternal death of all who are lost. As we near the close of this world's history, "evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived." We may reasonably expect that at this time extreme selfishness will be the prevailing744element in all that is not of God. This the apostle predicts: "Men shall be lovers of their own selves;" and then he enumerates several sins which are the direct outgrowth of selfishness. On the other hand, disinterested love is and always has been the actuating principle on the side of heaven. "God so loved the world" that he provided salvation for us, and this is the grand element in all he does. In view of the nature of the work of God and that of Satan, it becomes possible, so far as we are acquainted with any particular thing, to ascertain on which side it belongs. We are especially aided in self-examination. Have we the life of Christ within? Then we love to think of him and holiness; we love to do what we believe will please him; we are so vitally connected with our dear Saviour that we realize a oneness with him, and we live with reference to him in all things. On the other hand, does self always come up first, and is it ever present with us, controlling our preferences, influencing our motives and our whole lives? The child of God is often tempted with selfish thoughts and feelings. "The arduous struggle for conquest over self, for holiness and heaven, is a lifelong struggle."—Testimony 32, p. 168. But these temptations are not a part of a real Christian, unless he accepts and harbors them. Pray God to show us our whole hearts. Do we love others so much that every service we can render them, however menial or taxing, is a real pleasure to us? Think carefully. Do we love them better than we do some others because they are more worthy? or is it because they are our friends? It is natural, it is right, to love our families; but we may pray much and earnestly for them and grow more selfish while we pray. Do you ask, "How can I know that I love anything, even the Lord and his people, with an unselfish love?" "True love is not a strong, fiery, impetuous passion; on the contrary, it is calm and deep in its nature. Intellectual and moral strength are involved in this principle."—Testimony 16, pp. 133, 135. Unselfish love is more of a principle than a passion. Here is a Bible touchstone on which we can test our love for God,—"This is the love of God, that we keep his commandments." 1 John 5:3. If we yield ourselves to obey him (Rom. 6:16), and are justified by faith in Christ, "the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us." Rom. 5:1, 5. the word of God assures us then that we do love him. And "by this we know that we love the children of God when we love God and keep his commandments." The Lord comes first with us, since he has taken away our selfishness and become our very life, and we love all other things through him. That is dearest to us which is so to our God; this is the reason why his people stand in our hearts next to himself. Thus careful self-examination, with the aid of the Holy Spirit, which God always gives to those who ask and take it by faith, will enable us to determine our condition with certainty. If at any time we find aught of self about us, we are to give it right to Jesus and take his righteousness instead. Before the close of probation the power of God is to be seen as never before. The gifts of the Spirit, which came "moderately" on the day of Pentecost and immediately thereafter, are to come in all the power they had then added to that of the latter rain. Joel 2:23. Miracles will be the result. God will work in a most wonderful and excellent manner, for he is "wonderful in counsel and excellent in working." Just before Jesus comes we may also expect that the world will be flooded with miracles from an evil source, for whole nations are to be deceived on account of these miracles. Rev. 19:20; 16:13, 14. In the near future "the spirits of devils working miracles are to go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world." Many who profess to be Christians will do wonderful things which seem to be of great benefit to mankind. Said Christ, "Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? and then will I profess unto them, I never knew you; depart from me, ye that work iniquity." Jesus himself said, "They shall show great signs [to prove they are right] and wonders." Satan will work with "all power and signs and lying wonders and with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish." Will all the people on earth be deceived? Is there no certain way by which the true can be known from the false miracles? There is, thank and praise the Lord forever! It is not "possible" that the "elect," real children of God, will be deceived. Matt. 24:24. "No man," even if he does work supernaturally, "is able to pluck them out of my father's hand." Self is the touchstone which proves the work. If the one through whom the miracle is performed is self-exalted on account of it, the whole work is from beneath; if he feels humbled in view of it and utterly unworthy, while he hides in God and loves him better, it must be right. The presence of self reveals the terrible working of Satan, and the entire absence of self proves the work holy. If we would not be an instrument of Satan, let us hasten to the fountain and be washed clean of self just now.