The Church: Its Organization, Order and Discipline

Passion a Denial of Christ

In direct harmony with this we read in the Testimonies of the Spirit of God: “To be a Christian means culture after the divine character of Christ. That mind which was in Christ Jesus can not be correctly represented by untrained powers, which result in an unfurnished mind.... Passion manifested by a professed Christian is a denial of Christ; it gives victory to Satan, and enthrones him in the heart. Such a man gives testimony to the world that Satan has more power over him than has Christ. His words, spirit, and character testify that the molding and fashioning hand of Satan is upon him, making of him a vessel that will dishonor God.... COOD 38.2

“We are here on probation, in training for the higher life. All heaven is waiting to co-operate with those who will be subordinate to the ways and will of God. God gives grace, and he expects all to use it. He supplies the power if the human mind feels any need or any disposition to receive. He never asks us to do anything without supplying the grace and power to do that very thing. All his biddings are enablings.... Evil passions, envy, evil surmisings, jealousy, accusing of the brethren, can not be indulged without denying Christ.”-The Review and Herald, November 9, 1897. COOD 39.1