Satan has succeeded wonderfully in his plans. Men of experience, fathers of families, who manifest a headstrong defiance when their track is crossed, show plainly that they cannot or do not control themselves. Then how can they succeed in controlling their children, who follow in their steps and rebel against their authority and all other restraint, even as they themselves rebel against the authority of the church and the institutions with which they are connected? Some of these professed Christians have yielded themselves into the hands of Satan and have become his instruments. They influence souls against the truth by exhibiting their insubordination and restless discontent. While professing righteousness, they are flying in the face of the Almighty, and before they are aware of the enormity of their sin they have accomplished the object of the adversary. The impression has been made, the shadow of darkness has been cast, the arrows of Satan have found their mark. Verily, a little leaven has leavened the entire lump. Unbelief creeps in and fastens its grasp upon minds that would have wholly accepted the truth. {4T 203.2}

Satan har fantastisk god held med sine planer. Erfarne mænd, familiefædre, som viser stædig trods når deres vej krydses, viser tydeligt hvad de ikke kan eller ikke kan kontrollere sig selv. Hvordan kan de da kunne styre deres børn, som følger i deres fodspor og gør oprør mod myndighed og al anden begrænsning, når de selv gør oprør mod menighedens og institutionernes myndigheder, som de er knyttet til? Nogle af disse bekendende kristne har overgivet sig selv i Satans hænder og er blevet hans redskaber. De påvirker sjæle mod sandheden ved at vise lydighedsnægtelse og hvileløs utilfredshed. Selvom de bekender sig som retfærdige, går de stik imod den Almægtige og før de er klar over deres synds omfang, har de fuldført fjendens mål. Indtrykkene er sket, mørkets skygge er kastet, Satans pile har fundet deres mærke. Sandelig, en smugle surdej har gennemsyret hele massen. Vantro har sneget sig ind og fæstnet sit greb om mennesker, der kunne have accepteret sandheden fuldt ud.