Sunday
April 23
1. ARE WE BEWITCHED?
a. What pointed question of the apostle Paul echoes down to many professed believers today? Galatians 3:1.
“The further men separate from God, and the less they render obedience to His commandments, the more confidence they will place in themselves. Their thoughts will be selfish, and their actions after the same character. They will pride themselves upon their judgment in managing business, but will be very ignorant of the things which concern their future well-being. So infatuated will they be with the things of this world that the words which Paul addressed to the Galatians are applicable to them . . . [Galatians 3:1 quoted]. . . . They think that riches mean greatness and honor, that they mean love of ease, selfish gratification, and display. They desire to command positions of power, to have the flattery and reverence of the world. They freely indulge in sin until their moral power is palsied.”-The Signs of the Times, February 20, 1896.
Monday
April 24
2. GUARDING THE SENSES
a. How serious a problem is slavery to appetite? Philippians 3:18, 19.
“[Exodus 20:3 quoted.] It is not alone in denying the existence of God or in bowing down to idols of wood and stone that this first commandment is broken. By many who profess to be followers of Christ, its principles are infringed, but the Lord of heaven does not acknowledge those as His children who are cherishing in their hearts anything that takes the place which God alone should hold. With many the gratification of appetite holds sway.”-The Youth’s Instructor, December 31, 1896.
b. What gift has Satan deceptively twisted for his perverted aims? Ezekiel 28:13.
“Music is the idol which many professed Sabbathkeeping Christians worship. Satan has no objection to music if he can make that a channel through which to gain access to the minds of the youth. Anything will suit his purpose that will divert the mind from God and engage the time which should be devoted to His service. He works through the means which will exert the strongest influence to hold the largest numbers in a pleasing infatuation, while they are paralyzed by his power. When turned to good account, music is a blessing; but it is often made one of Satan’s most attractive agencies to ensnare souls.”-Testimonies, vol. 1, p. 506.
c. What help is needed by persons who are slaves to sensuality? Romans 8:5, 6; 13:14.
“My confidence in humanity has been terribly shaken. I have been shown that persons of apparently good deportment, not taking unwarrantable liberties with the other sex, were guilty of practicing secret vice nearly every day of their lives. They have not refrained from this terrible sin even while most solemn meetings have been in session. They have listened to the most solemn, impressive discourses upon the judgment, which seemed to bring them before the tribunal of God, causing them to fear and quake; yet hardly an hour would elapse before they would be engaged in their favorite, bewitching sin, polluting their own bodies. They were such slaves to this awful crime that they seemed devoid of power to control their passions.”-Testimonies, vol. 2, pp. 468, 469.
Tuesday
April 25
3. MORE IDOLS THAT SNEAK IN
a. With what strong reproofs does God unveil some common traps which ensnare today both women and men? Isaiah 3:16, 17, 24-26; Ezekiel 28:17; 1 Peter 3:3, 4.
“With [many] dress and love of the world are given the first place in the heart. But in His word, God has shown us that these things must not hold the first place.”-The Youth’s Instructor, December 31, 1896.
b. What appeal is made to worshipers of today’s automotive “horses”? Psalm 20:5-7.
c. In an age of rapidly advancing technology, how are we warned of carrying to excess our zeal for the latest “toys” at the expense of our spiritual growth? Ecclesiastes 7:29.
“God has given us many things in this life upon which to bestow our affections, but when we carry to excess that which in itself is lawful we become idolaters. The law of God requires that every son and daughter of Adam shall love Him supremely, and anything that separates our affections from God and lessens our interest in eternal things is an idol.”-The Youth’s Instructor, December 31, 1896.
“Every cherished pleasure which diverts the mind from God must be sacrificed. In many families the mantel shelves, stands, and tables are filled with ornaments and pictures. Albums filled with photographs of the family and their friends are placed where they will attract the attention of visitors. Thus the thoughts, which should be upon God and heavenly interests, are brought down to common things. Is not this a species of idolatry?”-The Review and Herald, May 14, 1901.
d. What is our only hope against a widespread deception which we are better off avoiding? Psalm 37:35-37; 1 Timothy 6:6-11.
“In order to obtain money, or to be first, some will betray the most precious cause of truth. There is an intense spirit that takes possession of mind and character. A man turns his whole being into accomplishing some great thing; an unquenchable thirst takes possession of the whole man to obtain money.”-Manuscript Releases, vol. 18, p. 129.
Wednesday
April 26
4. THE DESIRE FOR LUXURY AND EASE
a. How serious are God’s warnings to us against modern idolatry? Ezekiel 14:3, 4.
“Men may not bow down to idols of wood and stone, but all who love the things of the world and take pleasure in unrighteousness have set up idols in their hearts. The majority of professed Christians are serving other gods besides the Lord. Pride and luxury are cherished, idols are set up in the sanctuary, and her holy places are polluted.”-The Spirit of Prophecy, vol. 4, p. 238.
“Those who use the precious time given them by God-time that has been purchased at an infinite cost-in embellishing their homes for display, in following the fashions and customs of the world, are not only robbing their own souls of spiritual food, but are failing to give God His due. The time thus spent in the gratification of selfish desires might be employed in obtaining a knowledge of the word of God, in cultivating our talents, that we might render intelligent service to our Creator.
“Can we look into the mirror of God’s law and feel no condemnation in this respect? Let each look over his past experience and inquire of his own heart, How much of the precious time granted me by God might I have saved and used in doing good, in learning of God, in seeking to become a pillar in His house, and a light and blessing to the world?”-The Youth’s Instructor, December 31, 1896.
b. What understanding can help to free us from slavery to idols? Colossians 3:5-7.
“It is not necessary to bow down to a stock or a stone to serve idols. Whatever takes possession of the heart, commanding its service, that is not the dictation of the Holy Spirit, assumes the form of an idol. How many hearts through a wrong course of allowing the mind to become concentrated upon a certain course of action to distinguish self, will come under the head of covetousness, which is idolatry!”-Manuscript Releases, vol. 18, p. 129.
Thursday
April 27
5. GETTING OUR PRIORITIES STRAIGHT
a. How and why must we seek deliverance from harboring a divided heart? Psalm 86:11; Exodus 20:4-6.
“The people of God are not half awake. A stupor seems to be paralyzing their sensibilities. Brethren and sisters, lay aside your love of self, your love of ease and of dress, and let your contributions flow into the treasury. Each of us will soon have to stand before the Judge of all the earth, to answer for the deeds done in the body. All will then have to give an account for the good they might have done, but did not do. . . . In God’s great book is recorded every dollar that has been needlessly expended for selfish gratification. The means thus used was the Lord’s, and you made self an idol and neglected the souls of your fellowmen for whom Christ died. If the money expended for changeable suits of apparel and for adornment had passed into the treasury of God, houses of worship could have been built, halls could have been hired for mission purposes, and where there is now one missionary in the field there might have been one hundred. Who will have to render an account for this great lack of funds?”-The Review and Herald, October 13, 1885.
b. In summary, how are we to break away from the slavish bands that are subtly robbing us of our God-given liberty in Christ? Luke 14:27, 33; Galatians 5:1.
“Whatever shall draw away the heart from God must be given up. Mammon is the idol of many. The love of money, the desire for wealth, is the golden chain that binds them to Satan. Reputation and worldly honor are worshiped by another class. The life of selfish ease and freedom from responsibility is the idol of others. But these slavish bands must be broken. We cannot be half the Lord’s and half the world’s. We are not God’s children unless we are such entirely.”-Steps to Christ, p. 44.
Friday
April 28
PERSONAL REVIEW QUESTION
1. Without looking to everyone else’s weaknesses, from what idols do I need to be free and what steps do I need to take in order to be delivered from them?