19-23 (Isaiah 50:11). Men Call Evil Good, and Good Evil—[Isaiah 5:19-23 quoted.] The class here represented, in order to exalt their own opinions, employ a reasoning which is not authorized by the Word of God. They walk in the sparks of their own kindling. By their specious reasoning, they confuse the distinction that God desires to have drawn between good and evil. The sacred is brought down on a level with common things. Avarice and selfishness are called by false names; they are called prudence. Their rising up in independence and rebellion, their revenge and stubbornness, in their eyes are proofs of dignity, evidences of a noble mind. They act as though ignorance of divine things were not dangerous and even fatal to the soul; and they prefer their own reasoning to divine revelation, their own plans and human wisdom to the admonitions and commands of God. The piety and conscientiousness of others are called fanaticism, and those who practise truth and holiness are watched and criticized. They deride those who teach and believe the mystery of godliness, “Christ in you, the hope of glory.” The principles underlying these things are not discerned by them; and they go on in wrong-doing, leaving the bars open for Satan to find ready access to the soul (The Review and Herald, December 22, 1896).{4BC 1138.3}

19-23 (kp. 50,11). Mennesker kalder ondt for godt, og godt for ondt.--[Es. 5,19-23 citeret.] Denne klasse fremstilles her, for at ophøje deres egne tanker, bruge forstanden, som ikke er bemyndiget i Guds ord. De vandrer i gnisterne fra deres egen optænding. Ved deres besnærende begrundelser, forvirrer de den retning som Gud ønsker at der skal rettes mellem godt og ondt. Det hellige bringes ned til de tarvelige ting. Havesyge og selviskhed kaldes ved falske navne; de kaldes for klogskab. Deres start på uafhængighed og oprør, deres hævngerrighed og hårdnakkethed, i deres øjne er der beviser på værdighed, beviser på ædelsind. De handler som uvidenhed om guddommelige ting ikke er farligt og endog skæbnesvangert for sjæle; og de foretrækker deres egen fornuftslutning af den guddommelige åbenbaring, deres egne planer og menneskelige visdom frem for Guds formaninger og påbud. Andres medynk og samvittighed opsøges, fanatisme og dem som praktiserer sandheden og hellighed overvåges og kritiseres. De spotter dem som lærer og tror guddommens mysterier, ”Kristus i jer herlighedens håb.” Principperne der ligger under disse ting kan de ikke se; og de fortsætter med at gøre galt, lader bommen stå åben for Satan så han finder en hurtig adgang til sjælen. (RH 22. dec., 1896).