Further Introduction to

This Is War“The Infernal Wisdom of Satan—Satan is at work now … He knows the weak points in every character; and if these weak points are not strengthened, he will display his infernal wisdom in his devices to overthrow the very strongest men, princes in the army of Israel. … as we near the close of time, Satan will work with masterly activity to undermine principle, and corrupt moral character.” TSB 88.3

Christian Author Randy Alcorn, in his book The Purity Principle states that half of the men gathered at a Promise Keepers Conference admitted to having viewed pornography in the previous week.

If half of the Christian men at a Promise Keepers Conference admitted to having viewed pornography in the previous week, what percentage of church employees, conference leaders, etc. have done the same. Let’s not delude ourselves into thinking that only others outside of our fellowship of faith have this problem, that only others are tempted. Let’s be honest and real. Let’s understand and do something about this.

He starts chapter 4 with these words: “If you are a Christian, you are a targeted man, a marked woman. The forces of evil have taken out a contract on you.” P 32. Two pages later he paraphrases 1. Cor. 10:12 “If you think you don’t need to take precautions…you can spell your name S-t-u-p-i-d.”

On page 68 he shares a radical prayer: “Lord, before I would ever betray my wife and commit adultery, please kill me.”

Sister E.G. White shares a similar thought concerning her own grandchildren being introduced to impure practices: “I have granddaughters, … If I were forced to choose whether these children should be exposed to these temptations, educated in these evil practices, or be cut down by death, I would say, Let them die in their innocency.” TSB 127.2

“Adultery a “Christian” Sin—… the crime of adultery is largely committed by professed Christians. Both clergymen and laymen, whose names stand fair upon the church record, are alike guilty.” TSB 99.1

“Adultery is one of the terrible sins of this age. This sin exists among professed Christians of every class....” TSB 99.2

“If the bodies professedly laid upon the altar of God should pass that scrutiny that was given the Jewish sacrifice, how few would stand the test and be pronounced perfect before God, preserved unto holiness, free from the taints of sin or pollution.” TSB 99.4

“God is Himself the source of all mercy. His name is “merciful and gracious.” Exodus 34:6. He does not treat us according to our desert. He does not ask if we are worthy of His love, but He pours upon us the riches of His love, to make us worthy. He is not vindictive. He seeks not to punish, but to redeem.… It is true that God “will by no means clear the guilty” (Exodus 34:7), but He would take away the guilt.” MB 22.1

“…All whose hearts are in sympathy with the heart of Infinite Love will seek to reclaim and not to condemn.” MB 22.2

“To the appeal of the erring, the tempted, the wretched victims of want and sin, the Christian does not ask, Are they worthy? but, How can I benefit them? In the most wretched, the most debased, he sees souls whom Christ died to save and for whom God has given to His children the ministry of reconciliation.” MB 22.3

We are in a no holds barred war for control of our youth as well as for our men and women of experience, including our most trusted church leadership.

The first step is to recognize we are all targeted and that there is a problem. The second is to make provisions to build a hedge about all of us, and third is to become proactive in rescuing fallen warriors for Christ.

“For all the natural weaknesses Jesus has made ample provision, that they may be overcome through His grace. If not overcome, the weakness will become a tyrant, a conqueror, to overcome them, and the heavenly light will become beclouded and extinguished.” TSB 91.1

“This Is War” is a thoughtful consideration of where we are and what the Scriptures and the Spirit of Prophecy have to say about this subject.

What we do with this is up to us. Too long have we gathered our robes, white in appearance about us and walked away from a fallen

church worker, without offering hope, and doing something tangible giving meaningful support and encouragement to help them transition to a restored home and church life, and in some cases perhaps even restoration to the church payroll. We are wasting valuable human resources for God’s cause.

Should a fall be made public? Should a confession be made to the church by the fallen one? Are all fallen church employees forever banned from serving the church again? Is a moral fall the end? Or in fact do all things work together for the good? Can God make something good come out of this awful bad? Or have we found something God can’t do?

We must take heed lest we fall, and we must be prepared to help those who have fallen.