The warning of the apostle, "But this I say, Let I no man beguile you with enticing words," should incite us, in all cases, to follow the only infallible Word of God with holy fear, as a shining light on our path. But whence comes the deplorable ignorance which we meet with hi the present day with regard to the truth of God in so many souls? Whence comes it that so many professed Christians "are carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men and cunning craftiness" (Eph. 4:14), and open their hearts to errors which relax the conscience, rob the truth of every support, and will inevitably entail the most disastrous consequences? Is not disregard of the Word the cause of this lamentable state of things? Ah, how little is it searched with prayer and conviction of its divine power and majesty! How little is its influence to be perceived in the walk of many Christians? Oh, that they might begin again to prize this precious Word according to its divine value!

Truly, the human understanding is not the judge of this Word, but the Word is the judge of the human understanding. "It is quick and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart" (Heb. 4:12). When God Himself speaks, all the reasonings and imaginations of man must be silent. Everything may deceive-who can venture to deny it? But the Word of God never deceives. The suggestions and wishes of our hearts may lead us astray; the Word of God alone casts a clear light on our path. Reason and feeling are, by reason of sin, like troubled and muddy streams; the Word of God alone is a clear, untroubled, springing fountain, giving forth its pure, life-giving water.

-From "Does Man Live Forever, or Perish Like the Beast?"