When the young adopt vile practices while the spirit is tender, they will never obtain force to fully and correctly develop physical, intellectual, and moral character. Here was a man debasing himself daily, and yet daring to venture into the presence of God and ask an increase of strength which he had vilely squandered, and which, if granted, he would consume upon his lust. What forbearance has God! If He should deal with man according to his corrupt ways, who could live in His sight? What if we had been less cautious and carried the case of this man before God while he was practicing iniquity, would the Lord have heard? would He have answered? “For Thou art not a God that hath pleasure in wickedness: neither shall evil dwell with Thee. The foolish shall not stand in Thy sight: Thou hatest all workers of iniquity.” “If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me.” {2T 351.1}

Lad mig sige jer, at der er børn, som fødes til det onde. Satan synes at have herredømme over dem. Han tager deres unge sind i besiddelse og de fordærves. Hvorfor handler fædre og mødre, som om de befandt sig i en sløvhedstilstand? De har ingen mistanke om, at Satan sår ond sæd i deres familier. De handler, som om de var så blide og så ligegyldige angående disse ting, som det er muligt for dem at blive. Hvorfor vågner de ikke op og læser om og sætter sig ind i disse emner? Apostlen siger: »Sæt netop derfor al iver ind på i jeres tro at vise dyd, i dyden indsigt, i indsigten afholdenhed, i afholdenhed udholdenhed,« Her er et arbejde, der påhviler enhver, som bekender sig til at følge Kristus; det gælder om at føje dyd til dyd. Vejl f menigh bd. 1 side 153-158]