Deceptive Working of Satan . The tenor of the conversation reveals the treasure of the heart. The cheap, common talk, the words of flattery, the foolish witticism, spoken to create a laugh, are the merchandise of Satan, and all who indulge in this talk are trading in his goods. Impressions are made upon those who hear these things similar to that made upon Herod when the daughter of Herodias danced before him. All these transactions are recorded in the books of heaven; and at the last great day they will appear in their true light before the guilty ones. Then all will discern in them the alluring, deceptive workings of the devil, to lead them into the broad road and the wide gate that opens to their ruin. {TM 84.2}

Satans skuffende arbejde
Samtaleforløbet åbenbarer hjertets rigdomme. Tarvelig, simpel tale, smigrene ord, dumme vittigheder, sagt for at fremkalde en latter, er Satans vare, og alle som hengiver sig til denne tale handler med sine ting. Indflydelse gøres på dem der hører disse ting i lighed med det der blev gjort med (85) Herodes da Herodias datter dansede for ham. Alle disse handlinger er optaget i himlens bøger; og på den sidste store dag vil de vise sig i deres sande lys for de skyldige. Da vil alle erkende den lokkende effekt i dem, djævlens skuffende arbejde, for at lede dem hen til den brede vej og den vide port der åbner til deres ruin.