The man who rejects the word of the Lord, who endeavors to establish his own way and will, tears to pieces the messenger and message which God sends in order to discover to him his sin. His own inclinations have influenced his conduct, and he has built himself up in a wrong way. The divine rule is, “Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.” But he would not do this. As a man thinketh, so is he. From within, out of the heart, proceed evil thoughts inspired by Satan. He begins to quibble at technicalities and manners. The spirit of Satan links him up with the enemy to bear a word of criticism on less important themes. The truth becomes of less and still less value to him. He becomes an accuser of his brethren, etc., and changes leaders. The outside world has a greater weight with him than has the flood of light that God has poured in upon the world in messages that he has given, and which he once rejoiced in. {TM 408.3}

Mennesket der afviser Herrens ord, der bestræber sig for at skabe sin egen vej og vilje, river budbringeren og de budskaber i stykker som Gud sendte for at røbe ham hans synder. Hans egne tilbøjeligheder har påvirket hans adfærd, og han har bygget sig selv op på en forkert vej. Den guddommelige retningslinie er, »Enten I nu spiser eller drikker, eller hvad I gør, så gør det alt til Guds ære!« Men han ville ikke gøre dette. Som en mand tænker, sådan er han. Indefra, ud fra hjertet, udvikler sig onde tanker der er udviklet af Satan. Han begynder at bruge spidsfindigheder i tekniske finesser og måder. Satans ånd binder ham til fjenden så han fremfører kritiske ord på mindre vigtige emner. Sandheden bliver af mindre og stadig mindre værdi for ham. Han bliver (409) en anklager for hans brødre, osv, og laver om på ledere. Verden udenfor har en større vægt for ham end lysets strøm som Gud har hældt ind i verden i de budskaber som han har givet, og som han engang glædede sig ved.