THE DEVICES OF THE ENEMY
By F. M. Bragg
INCREASE as we near the end. As one after another appears and proves to be of the great Deceiver, we anxiously inquire, Who will escape his snares? We need to draw nearer and nearer to the standard that God has raised. We would be directly under, and advance with, divine light and truth that shines to the church in these last days. We need the whole truth to fortify us against the snares of Satan. To some minds one truth takes the lead to the exclusion of others equally important. They have the idea so fixed in the mind that the enemy drives to extremes. Thus they are led into the wildest fancies. If the mind be nerved and strained to one truth (ever so important), there is danger of pushing it so far as to get it out of its place in the great chain of truth. We cannot be too careful to keep each part in harmony with the others. But if the eye be kept single to the glory of God, if we keep sufficiently humble to move in harmony with those God has placed to lead his people, we can be set right. O the danger of drawing off from the body, but how safe to act in unison with, and submission to, those placed over us. We need all the means God has given to fit us to stand in this perilous time. The Enemy is ever ready to get in his spirit and counterfeit work, and we need to watch closely lest we receive the false for the true. The character of both are plainly pointed out in God's word, that we may choose the good and shun the evil. The apostle exhorts us to "try the spirits, for many false spirits have gone out into the world." The prophet says, "To the law and to the testimony. If they speak not according to this word there is no light in them." The gifts of the Spirit are as much needed in the perils of the last days as in Christ's day. And as God's word assures us that they are to be restored before Christ's second appearing, we may safely look for the manifestations of the Spirit of God. And as God's Spirit has wrought these many22years, bearing the marks (in every respect) of the genuine, we may expect to see the counterfeit work by the great Deceiver. The appearance of the counterfeit is an unmistakable evidence of the existence of the true coin. And while we view the distraction the Enemy brings, may we fully appreciate and obey the light from heaven. We have of late heard much of consecration and sanctification. Sister S. came here with a message upon consecration. We loved this truth, and its spirit. We acted upon it under the first and second angels' messages. But at the time sister S. came we were not enjoying so much of the blessing of God as in former years. We were striving to be more confirmed to his will by heeding the message of the true and faithful Witness. We believed sister S.'s view of yielding all to God, and being his perfectly; but we could not see the propriety or necessity of separating this truth from the present message. The commandments of God and faith of Jesus, if fully obeyed, will make us perfect. What is this but Bible holiness? Sister S. did not wish to separate her theme from other truths, but it was effectually done in dwelling upon it to the exclusion of all others. The messages have been but an unnecessary appendage after holiness was obtained. Bible holiness is not obtained out of the truth. By obeying one truth after another (God setting his seal to it by his Spirit) we shall finally be wholly sanctified.