John the Baptist was a man filled with the Holy Ghost from his birth, and if there was anyone who could remain unaffected by the corrupting influences of the age in which he lived, it was surely he. Yet he did not venture to trust his strength; he separated himself from his friends and relatives, that his natural affections might not prove a snare to him. He would not place himself unnecessarily in the way of temptation nor where the luxuries or even the conveniences of life would lead him to indulge in ease or to gratify his appetite, and thus lessen his physical and mental strength. By such a course the important mission upon which he came would have failed of its accomplishment. {4T 108.3}

Johannes Døber var et menneske fyldt med Helligånden fra sin fødsel af og hvis der var nogen som kunne forblive upåvirket af fordærvende påvirkninger fra deres tidsalder, var det helt sikkert ham. Dog vovede han ikke at stole på sin styrke; han adskilte sig selv fra sine venner og slægtninge, så hans naturlige hengivenhed ikke ville vise sig som en snare for ham. Han ville ikke sætte sig selv unødigt i vejen for fristelser ej heller hvor livets overdådighed eller endog fornødenheder ville føre ham til at give efter for magelighed eller tilfredsstille sin appetit og derved mindske sin fysiske og mentale styrke. Ved en sådan opførsel ville hans betydningsfulde mission ikke kunne lykkes.