Impressions, Feelings, and Drugs

[devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org]

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          Ellen G. White Estate, Devotional for August 14
          Visit us at http://www.whiteestate.org
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Impressions, Feelings, and Drugs

Through thy precepts I get understanding: therefore I hate every false way. 
Ps. 119:104. 


There are many restless spirits who will not submit to discipline, system, and 
order. They think that their liberties would be abridged were they to lay 
aside their own judgment and submit to the judgment of those of experience. 
The work of God will not progress unless there is a disposition to submit to 
order and expel the reckless, disorderly spirit of fanaticism from their 
meetings. 

Impressions and feelings are no sure evidence that a person is led by the 
Lord. Satan will, if he is unsuspected, give feelings and impressions. These 
are not safe guides. All should thoroughly acquaint themselves with the 
evidences of our faith, and the great study should be how they can adorn their 
profession and bear fruit to the glory of God. . . . 

For some time he [a patient at the Battle Creek Sanitarium] had thought he was 
obtaining new light. He was very ill, and must soon die. . . . Those to whom 
he presented his views listened to him eagerly, and some thought him 
inspired. . . . To many his reasoning seemed to be without a flaw. They told 
of his powerful exhortations in his sickroom. Most wonderful views passed 
before him. But what was the source of his inspiration? It was the morphine 
given him to relieve his pain. 

The poisons contained in many so-called remedies create habits and appetites 
that mean ruin to both soul and body. Many of the popular nostrums called 
patent medicines, and even some of the drugs dispensed by physicians, act a 
part in laying the foundation of the liquor habit, the opium habit, the 
morphine habit, that are so terrible a curse to society. 

If the blessing that those who claim to be sanctified have received, leads 
them to rely upon some particular emotion, and they declare there is no need 
of searching the Scriptures that they may know God's revealed will, then the 
supposed blessing is a counterfeit, for it leads its possessors to place value 
on their own unsanctified emotions and fancies, and to close their ears to the 
voice of God in His word. 


>From Maranatha - Page 234