This has not always been fully understood. Satan has often brought in a spirit that has made it impossible for church members to discern opportunities for service. Believers have not infrequently allowed the enemy to work through them at the very time when they should have been wholly consecrated to God and to the advancement of His work. Unconsciously they have wandered far from the way of righteousness. Cherishing a spirit of criticism and faultfinding, of pharisaical piety and pride, they have grieved away the Spirit of God and have greatly retarded the work of God’s messengers. {9T 125.2}

Dette er ikke altid blevet forstået fuldt ud. Satan har ofte indført en ånd, der har gjort det umuligt for menighedens medlemmer at opdage anledninger til tjeneste. De troende har ikke så sjældent tilladt fjenden at arbejde gennem dem, netop i det øjeblik hvor de burde have været fuld helligede til Gud og hans værks fremme. Ubevidst er de gået langt bort fra retfærdighedens vej. Ved at nære en kritisk og dadelsygelig ånd, en farisæisk formalitet og stolthed, har de bedrøvet Guds Ånd og i høj grad sinket Guds sendebuds arbejde.