Chapter 33—“No Other Gods Before Me”
[.]
Every true child of God will be sifted as wheat, and in the sifting process 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? Should not the money thus spent have been used to bless humanity, to relieve the suffering, to clothe the naked, and to feed the hungry? Should it not be placed in the Lord's treasury to advance His cause and build up His kingdom in the earth?
2SM 317.1
This matter is of great importance, and it is urged upon you to save you from the sin of idolatry. Blessing would come to your souls if you would obey the word spoken by the Holy One of Israel, “Thou shalt have no other gods before me” (Exodus 20:3). Many are creating unnecessary cares and anxieties for themselves by devoting time and thought to the unnecessary ornaments with which their houses are filled. The power of God is needed to arouse them from this devotion; for to all intents and purposes it is idolatry.
2SM 317.2
He who searches the heart, desires to win His people from every species of idolatry. Let the Word of God, the blessed book of life, occupy the tables now filled with useless ornaments. Spend your money in buying books that will be the means of enlightening the mind in regard to present truth. The time you waste in moving and dusting the multitudinous ornaments in your house, spend in writing a few lines to your friends, in sending papers or leaflets or little books to someone who knows not the truth. Grasp the Word of the Lord as the treasure of infinite wisdom and love; this is the Guidebook that points out the path to heaven. It points us to the sin-pardoning Saviour, saying, “Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world” (John 1:29).
2SM 318.1
O that you would search the Scriptures with prayerful hearts, and a spirit of surrender to God! O that you would search your hearts as with a lighted candle, and discover and break the finest thread that binds you to worldly habits, which divert the mind from God! Plead with God to show you every practice that draws your thoughts and affections from Him. God has given His holy law to man as His measure of character. By this law you may see and overcome every defect in your character. You may sever yourself from every idol, and link yourself to the throne of God by the golden chain of grace and truth.—The Review and Herald, May 14, 1901.
2SM 318.2
99
2SM
Selected Messages Book 2
[{"para_id":"99.2","title":"A Word to the Reader","mp3":"\/mp3\/99\/0003_eng_m_a_word_to_the_reader_99_14.mp3#duration=257&size=2171040"},{"para_id":"99.24","title":"Introduction","mp3":"\/mp3\/99\/0005_eng_m_introduction_99_25.mp3#duration=155&size=1350249"},{"para_id":"99.31","title":"Chapter 1\u2014Warnings Against Sensational Teachings and Emotional Religion","mp3":"\/mp3\/99\/0006_eng_m_chapter_1_warnings_against_sensational_teachings_and_emotional_religion_99_31.mp3#duration=1648&size=13301573"},{"para_id":"99.116","title":"Chapter 2\u2014Early Fanaticism to be Repeated","mp3":"\/mp3\/99\/0021_eng_m_chapter_2_early_fanaticism_to_be_repeated_99_116.mp3#duration=735&size=5993096"},{"para_id":"99.150","title":"Chapter 3\u2014The \u201cHoly Flesh\u201d Doctrine","mp3":"\/mp3\/99\/0027_eng_m_chapter_3_the_holy_flesh_doctrine_99_150.mp3#duration=1359&size=10986683"},{"para_id":"99.202","title":"Chapter 4\u2014Warnings Against Deceptive Claims of the Spirit's Guidance","mp3":"\/mp3\/99\/0033_eng_m_chapter_4_warnings_against_deceptive_claims_of_the_spirit_s_guidance_99_202.mp3#duration=1074&size=8708504"},{"para_id":"99.253","title":"Chapter 5\u2014Miracles Not a Test of God's Favor","mp3":"\/mp3\/99\/0039_eng_m_chapter_5_miracles_not_a_test_of_god_s_favor_99_253.mp3#duration=1130&size=9157878"},{"para_id":"99.307","title":"Chapter 6\u2014Our Safety Against Delusions","mp3":"\/mp3\/99\/0050_eng_m_chapter_6_our_safety_against_delusions_99_307.mp3#duration=655&size=5352772"},{"para_id":"99.336","title":"Introduction","mp3":"\/mp3\/99\/0056_eng_m_introduction_99_337.mp3#duration=151&size=1324771"},{"para_id":"99.343","title":"Chapter 7\u2014The Divine Credentials","mp3":"\/mp3\/99\/0057_eng_m_chapter_7_the_divine_credentials_99_343.mp3#duration=1154&size=9350479"},{"para_id":"99.400","title":"Chapter 8\u2014Meeting the Claims of False Prophets","mp3":"\/mp3\/99\/0065_eng_m_chapter_8_meeting_the_claims_of_false_prophets_99_400.mp3#duration=1080&size=8759173"},{"para_id":"99.450","title":"Chapter 9\u2014Earmarks of Erroneous Teaching","mp3":"\/mp3\/99\/0074_eng_m_chapter_9_earmarks_of_erroneous_teaching_99_450.mp3#duration=642&size=5247248"},{"para_id":"99.482","title":"Chapter 10\u2014The Visions of Anna Phillips","mp3":"\/mp3\/99\/0079_eng_m_chapter_10_the_visions_of_anna_phillips_99_482.mp3#duration=1545&size=12473800"},{"para_id":"99.541","title":"Chapter 11\u2014To Be on Guard","mp3":"\/mp3\/99\/0088_eng_m_chapter_11_to_be_on_guard_99_541.mp3#duration=625&size=5117411"},{"para_id":"99.572","title":"Chapter 12\u2014The Three Angels and the Other Angel","mp3":"\/mp3\/99\/0095_eng_m_chapter_12_the_three_angels_and_the_other_angel_99_572.mp3#duration=2476&size=19927789"},{"para_id":"99.671","title":"Introduction","mp3":"\/mp3\/99\/0108_eng_m_introduction_99_672.mp3#duration=140&size=1235120"},{"para_id":"99.679","title":"Chapter 13\u2014Should Christians Be Members of Secret Societies?","mp3":"\/mp3\/99\/0109_eng_m_chapter_13_should_christians_be_members_of_secret_societies_99_679.mp3#duration=2848&size=22898801"},{"para_id":"99.793","title":"Chapter 14\u2014Avoiding Labor Conflicts","mp3":"\/mp3\/99\/0122_eng_m_chapter_14_avoiding_labor_conflicts_99_793.mp3#duration=390&size=3234298"},{"para_id":"99.818","title":"Introduction","mp3":"\/mp3\/99\/0130_eng_m_introduction_99_819.mp3#duration=114&size=1023796"},{"para_id":"99.825","title":"Chapter 15\u2014Admonition Will Be Heard","mp3":"\/mp3\/99\/0131_eng_m_chapter_15_admonition_will_be_heard_99_825.mp3#duration=948&size=7699597"},{"para_id":"99.862","title":"Chapter 16\u2014Christ's Lifework and Ours","mp3":"\/mp3\/99\/0136_eng_m_chapter_16_christ_s_lifework_and_ours_99_862.mp3#duration=488&size=4017007"},{"para_id":"99.888","title":"Chapter 17\u2014Unity and Devotion","mp3":"\/mp3\/99\/0139_eng_m_chapter_17_unity_and_devotion_99_888.mp3#duration=446&size=3683794"},{"para_id":"99.911","title":"Chapter 18\u2014An Appeal to D. M. Canright","mp3":"\/mp3\/99\/0141_eng_m_chapter_18_an_appeal_to_d_m_canright_99_911.mp3#duration=1231&size=9962562"},{"para_id":"99.967","title":"Introduction","mp3":"\/mp3\/99\/0149_eng_m_introduction_99_968.mp3#duration=89&size=824730"},{"para_id":"99.975","title":"Chapter 19\u2014An Object Lesson","mp3":"\/mp3\/99\/0150_eng_m_chapter_19_an_object_lesson_99_975.mp3#duration=794&size=6469686"},{"para_id":"99.1007","title":"Chapter 20\u2014General Principles Governing Worker Remuneration","mp3":"\/mp3\/99\/0154_eng_m_chapter_20_general_principles_governing_worker_remuneration_99_1007.mp3#duration=1479&size=11947069"},{"para_id":"99.1080","title":"Chapter 21\u2014The Workers in Our Institutions","mp3":"\/mp3\/99\/0168_eng_m_chapter_21_the_workers_in_our_institutions_99_1080.mp3#duration=2469&size=19870165"},{"para_id":"99.1191","title":"Chapter 22\u2014Financial Assistance in Worker Qualification","mp3":"\/mp3\/99\/0186_eng_m_chapter_22_financial_assistance_in_worker_qualification_99_1191.mp3#duration=189&size=1629628"},{"para_id":"99.1202","title":"Chapter 23\u2014Counsel to One Who for Financial Reasons Was Planning to Leave the Work of God","mp3":"\/mp3\/99\/0191_eng_m_chapter_23_counsel_to_one_who_for_financial_reasons_was_planning_to_leav_99_1202.mp3#duration=1170&size=9471588"},{"para_id":"99.1246","title":"Introduction","mp3":"\/mp3\/99\/0195_eng_m_introduction_99_1247.mp3#duration=110&size=996434"},{"para_id":"99.1252","title":"Chapter 24\u2014Words to Those in Advanced Years","mp3":"\/mp3\/99\/0196_eng_m_chapter_24_words_to_those_in_advanced_years_99_1252.mp3#duration=1623&size=13100141"},{"para_id":"99.1331","title":"Chapter 25\u2014Fortitude in Affliction","mp3":"\/mp3\/99\/0211_eng_m_chapter_25_fortitude_in_affliction_99_1331.mp3#duration=1891&size=15246055"},{"para_id":"99.1421","title":"Chapter 26\u2014Assurance to Those Facing Death","mp3":"\/mp3\/99\/0227_eng_m_chapter_26_assurance_to_those_facing_death_99_1421.mp3#duration=1621&size=13088839"},{"para_id":"99.1505","title":"Chapter 27\u2014The Bereaved","mp3":"\/mp3\/99\/0232_eng_m_chapter_27_the_bereaved_99_1505.mp3#duration=2514&size=20231719"},{"para_id":"99.1648","title":"Introduction","mp3":"\/mp3\/99\/0260_eng_m_introduction_99_1649.mp3#duration=443&size=3662201"},{"para_id":"99.1666","title":"Chapter 28\u2014Statements on the Use of Drugs","mp3":"\/mp3\/99\/0261_eng_m_chapter_28_statements_on_the_use_of_drugs_99_1666.mp3#duration=1004&size=8150313"},{"para_id":"99.1715","title":"Chapter 29\u2014The Use of Remedies","mp3":"\/mp3\/99\/0266_eng_m_chapter_29_the_use_of_remedies_99_1715.mp3#duration=875&size=7116186"},{"para_id":"99.1757","title":"Chapter 30\u2014Ellen G. White's Use of Remedial Agencies","mp3":"\/mp3\/99\/0271_eng_m_chapter_30_ellen_g_white_s_use_of_remedial_agencies_99_1757.mp3#duration=1689&size=13630194"},{"para_id":"99.1845","title":"Chapter 31\u2014Personal Experiences","mp3":"\/mp3\/99\/0279_eng_m_chapter_31_personal_experiences_99_1845.mp3#duration=675&size=5518521"},{"para_id":"99.1882","title":"Introduction","mp3":"\/mp3\/99\/0285_eng_m_introduction_99_1883.mp3#duration=114&size=1024487"},{"para_id":"99.1889","title":"Chapter 32\u2014Proper Attitude in Prayer","mp3":"\/mp3\/99\/0286_eng_m_chapter_32_proper_attitude_in_prayer_99_1889.mp3#duration=857&size=6967607"},{"para_id":"99.1931","title":"Chapter 33\u2014\u201cNo Other Gods Before Me\u201d","mp3":"\/mp3\/99\/0290_eng_m_chapter_33_no_other_gods_before_me_99_1931.mp3#duration=469&size=3866150"},{"para_id":"99.1952","title":"Chapter 34\u2014Useful Occupation Better Than Games","mp3":"\/mp3\/99\/0293_eng_m_chapter_34_useful_occupation_better_than_games_99_1952.mp3#duration=550&size=4517211"},{"para_id":"99.1978","title":"Chapter 35\u2014Guidance by Chance Methods","mp3":"\/mp3\/99\/0297_eng_m_chapter_35_guidance_by_chance_methods_99_1978.mp3#duration=523&size=4298129"},{"para_id":"99.2006","title":"Chapter 36\u2014Providing for the Day of Need","mp3":"\/mp3\/99\/0300_eng_m_chapter_36_providing_for_the_day_of_need_99_2006.mp3#duration=208&size=1774791"},{"para_id":"99.2020","title":"Chapter 37\u2014The Aged Who Have No Homes","mp3":"\/mp3\/99\/0304_eng_m_chapter_37_the_aged_who_have_no_homes_99_2020.mp3#duration=88&size=820454"},{"para_id":"99.2027","title":"Chapter 38\u2014On the Military Question","mp3":"\/mp3\/99\/0305_eng_m_chapter_38_on_the_military_question_99_2027.mp3#duration=496&size=4082326"},{"para_id":"99.2050","title":"Chapter 39\u2014Counsel on Voting","mp3":"\/mp3\/99\/0309_eng_m_chapter_39_counsel_on_voting_99_2050.mp3#duration=238&size=2017049"},{"para_id":"99.2062","title":"Chapter 40\u2014Hops, Tobacco, and Swine","mp3":"\/mp3\/99\/0311_eng_m_chapter_40_hops_tobacco_and_swine_99_2062.mp3#duration=104&size=948925"},{"para_id":"99.2067","title":"Chapter 41\u2014Counsels on Certain Marriage Situations","mp3":"\/mp3\/99\/0312_eng_m_chapter_41_counsels_on_certain_marriage_situations_99_2067.mp3#duration=522&size=4287964"},{"para_id":"99.2092","title":"Chapter 42\u2014Counsel Regarding Intermarriage","mp3":"\/mp3\/99\/0318_eng_m_chapter_42_counsel_regarding_intermarriage_99_2092.mp3#duration=245&size=2076204"},{"para_id":"99.2104","title":"Chapter 43\u2014Miraculous Healing","mp3":"\/mp3\/99\/0320_eng_m_chapter_43_miraculous_healing_99_2104.mp3#duration=470&size=3874839"},{"para_id":"99.2132","title":"Chapter 44\u2014The Perils of Hypnosis","mp3":"\/mp3\/99\/0325_eng_m_chapter_44_the_perils_of_hypnosis_99_2132.mp3#duration=691&size=5643843"},{"para_id":"99.2166","title":"Chapter 45\u2014A Call to Country Living","mp3":"\/mp3\/99\/0330_eng_m_chapter_45_a_call_to_country_living_99_2166.mp3#duration=806&size=6563378"},{"para_id":"99.2209","title":"Chapter 46\u2014Guided by God's Providences","mp3":"\/mp3\/99\/0337_eng_m_chapter_46_guided_by_god_s_providences_99_2209.mp3#duration=717&size=5851703"},{"para_id":"99.2243","title":"Introduction","mp3":"\/mp3\/99\/0344_eng_m_introduction_99_2244.mp3#duration=95&size=870420"},{"para_id":"99.2250","title":"Chapter 47\u2014Preparing for the Final Crisis","mp3":"\/mp3\/99\/0345_eng_m_chapter_47_preparing_for_the_final_crisis_99_2250.mp3#duration=1413&size=11417193"},{"para_id":"99.2301","title":"Chapter 48\u2014A Work of Purification Needed","mp3":"\/mp3\/99\/0352_eng_m_chapter_48_a_work_of_purification_needed_99_2301.mp3#duration=1181&size=9565068"},{"para_id":"99.2346","title":"Chapter 49\u2014A Distinctive Name and People","mp3":"\/mp3\/99\/0358_eng_m_chapter_49_a_distinctive_name_and_people_99_2346.mp3#duration=358&size=2979190"},{"para_id":"99.2362","title":"Chapter 50\u2014The Pillars of Our Faith","mp3":"\/mp3\/99\/0363_eng_m_chapter_50_the_pillars_of_our_faith_99_2362.mp3#duration=679&size=5543472"},{"para_id":"99.2398","title":"Chapter 51\u2014Loyal or Disloyal","mp3":"\/mp3\/99\/0369_eng_m_chapter_51_loyal_or_disloyal_99_2398.mp3#duration=545&size=4477388"},{"para_id":"99.2423","title":"Chapter 52\u2014The Church Triumphant","mp3":"\/mp3\/99\/0373_eng_m_chapter_52_the_church_triumphant_99_2423.mp3#duration=277&size=2332341"},{"para_id":"99.2438","title":"Chapter 53\u2014Last Messages to the General Conference","mp3":"\/mp3\/99\/0376_eng_m_chapter_53_last_messages_to_the_general_conference_99_2438.mp3#duration=1557&size=12570286"},{"para_id":"99.2514","title":"Appendix 1\u2014Disease and Its Causes","mp3":"\/mp3\/99\/0385_eng_m_appendix_1_disease_and_its_causes_99_2514.mp3#duration=170&size=1470056"},{"para_id":"99.2870","title":"Appendix 2\u2014Important Factors in Choosing a Life Companion","mp3":"\/mp3\/99\/0393_eng_m_appendix_2_important_factors_in_choosing_a_life_companion_99_2870.mp3#duration=627&size=5127958"},{"para_id":"99.2895","title":"Appendix 3\u2014The Brotherhood of Mankind","mp3":"\/mp3\/99\/0394_eng_m_appendix_3_the_brotherhood_of_mankind_99_2895.mp3#duration=618&size=5056196"}]
