Many are now losing their interest and confidence in the truth because they have taken unbelief into close connection with themselves. They breathe the atmosphere of doubt, of questioning, of infidelity. They see and hear unbelief, and finally they cherish it. Some may have the courage to resist these influences, but in many cases their faith is imperceptibly undermined and finally destroyed. Satan has then succeeded in his plans. He has worked through his agents so silently that the barriers of faith and truth have been swept away before the believing ones have had any thought of where they were drifting. {4T 504.2}

Mange er nu ved at tabe deres interesse for og tillid til sandheden, fordi de har stillet sig i nær forbindelse med vantroen. De indånder tvivlens, betænkelighedens og utroskabens atmosfære. De ser og hører vantro og til sidst nærer de den. Nogle kan måske have frimodighed til at modstå disse indflydelser; men i mange tilfælde undergraves deres tro umærkeligt og bliver til sidst ødelagt. Da er Satans planer lykkedes. Han har gennem sine redskaber virket så stille, at troens og sandhedens skranker er revet bort, før de troende har haft nogen anelse om, hvor det bar hen.