Reading Malachi chapter 3. The final part in our series, "Things you can get wrong reading the Bible".

“... none can see whether the doctrine of their church is true, except those who are in the affection of truth for the sake of the uses of life. They who have this end are continually enlightened by the Lord.” (Heavenly Secrets, paragraph 8521, section 3)

“... when doctrine is being collected from the Word, man must be in enlightenment, which he receives when he is in the love of truth for the sake of truth.” (Heavenly Secrets, paragraph 9424.2)

“... in proportion as a man shuns evils as sins, he loves truths.” (Doctrine of Life, paragraph 32)

“It is apparent that someone who awaits influx is no different from a statue, for inevitably he must stand or sit motionless, his hands hanging down, his eyes either closed or open without blinking, not thinking or breathing. How much life does he have then? [2] It is also apparent that someone who believes that everything he thinks and does originates from himself is no different from an animal, for he thinks only with his natural mind, which the human being has in common with animals, and not with his rational, spiritual mind, which is the truly human mind.” (Divine Providence, paragraph 321)

Recorded on Sunday 5th December 2021.