The carnal mind is enmity against God, and it rebels against His will. Let it once throw off the yoke of obedience and it slips unconsciously into the lawlessness of crime. Iniquity abounds among those who talk grandly of pure and perfect religious liberty. Their conduct is abhorrent to the Lord, and they are co-workers with the adversary of souls. The light of revealed truth is turned from their sight, and the beauties of holiness are but as shadows to them. {4T 13.3}

Det kødelige sind er i fjendskab mod Gud og det modsætter sig hans vilje. Lad det blot engang afkaste lydighedens åg og det glider ubevidst ind i lovløshed og forbrydelse. Ugudelighed findes i overflod blandt sådanne, som taler smukt om ren og (14) fuldkommen religiøs frihed. Deres færd er afskyelig for Herren og de samarbejder med sjælenes modstander. Den åbenbarede sandheds lys når ikke deres øjne og hellighedens prydelse er kun som skygger for den.