None are further from the kingdom of heaven than self-righteous formalists, filled with pride at their own attainments, while they are wholly destitute of the spirit of Christ; while envy, jealousy, or love of praise and popularity controls them. They belong to the same class that John addressed as a generation of vipers, children of the wicked one. Such persons are among us, unseen, unsuspected. They serve the cause of Satan more effectively than the vilest profligate; for the latter does not disguise his true character; he appears what he is. {5T 226.2}

Ingen er længere væk fra himlens rige end selvretfærdighedens former, fyldt med stolthed over deres egne resultater, skønt de mangler helt Kristi ånd, skønt, misundelse, jalousi eller kærlighed til ros og popularitet styrer dem. De tilhører den samme klasse, som Johannes talte til, som en slægt af øgler, børn af den onde. Sådanne personer er blandt os, usynlige og anede. De tjener Satans sag mere effektivt end det mest udsvævende menneske, for sidstnævnte skjuler ikke sin sande karakter, han viser hvad han er.