11. What counsel does God give to us about relying on our own understanding? Proverbs 3:5.
NOTE: ‘We are living in an age of great light; but much that is called light is opening the way for the wisdom and arts of Satan. Many things will be presented that appear to be true, and yet they need to be carefully considered with much prayer; for they may be specious devices of the enemy. The path of error often appears to lie close to the path of truth. It is hardly distinguishable from the path that leads to holiness and heaven. But the mind enlightened by the Holy Spirit may discern that it is diverging from the right way. After a while the two are seen to be widely separated.’ Counsels for the Church, page 322.
12. How can we be sure that God will lead us in only the paths of Truth? Proverbs 3:6; John 17:17; Titus 1:2.
NOTE: ‘While Satan can employ fraud and sophistry to accomplish his objects, God cannot lie; while Lucifer, like the serpent, can choose a tortuous course, turning, twisting, gliding, to conceal himself, God moves only in a direct, straight-forward line.’ Spirit of Prophecy, volume 4, page 319.
‘Man is not left to become the sport of Satan’s temptations. All heaven is actively engaged in the work of communicating light to the inhabitants of the world, that they may not be left in the darkness of midnight without spiritual guidance. An Eye that never slumbers or sleeps is guarding the camp of Israel. Ten thousand times ten thousand and thousands of thousands of angels are ministering to the needs of the children of men.’ My Life Today, page 88.
LESSON INSIGHT: Sometimes people say they are searching for truth. This lesson has shown that there is only one truth in the world, and that truth is the revelation of the Living God, through the words and teachings of Jesus Christ. He is the Word of God, and He said that He is the Way, the Truth and the Life. He said there is a way to live, a truth to follow and eternal life to gain.
WHAT WE KNOW ABOUT THE HOLY SPIRIT: As long ago as the 1800s, people were saying there is no Holy Spirit. They were teaching that any of the manifestations said to be the work of the Holy Spirit, whether it was in dreams or visions, or messages or testimonies to correct the course of someone doing wrong, were forms of hypnotism or self-hypnotism and were to be shunned as a deception of Satan.
‘Some would have had me believe that there was no Holy Spirit, and that all the exercises that holy men of God experienced, were only the effect of mesmerism or the deception of Satan.’ Christian Experience and Teachings, page 76.
Consider, by contrast, this inspired thought: ‘Before the entrance of sin, Adam enjoyed open communion with his Maker; but since man separated himself from God by transgression, the human race has been cut off from this high privilege. By the plan of redemption, however, a way has been opened whereby the inhabitants of the earth may still have connection with heaven. God has communicated with men by His Spirit, and divine light has been imparted to the world by revelations to His chosen servants. “Holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.” 2 Peter 1:21’ Great Controversy, Introduction (v).
To say there is no Holy Spirit is to say that some, or even all, of our personal inner spiritual experience, as well as the inspired messages and prophecies of the major prophets and Bible writers, originate from Satan; for this is the alternative. Let us be very careful what we say. Scripture states plainly that holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.
There are things we do not understand and never will, but in speaking about God’s ways in the world, it is wise to accept the words of the Bible. God says, ‘Believe in the Lord your God, so shall ye be established, believe His prophets, so shall ye prosper.’ 2 Chronicles 20:20. These words still hold true today.