Read Ellen G. White, "The Lord's Vineyard," pp. 291–294, in Christ's Object Lessons; "God's Love for Man," pp. 9–15; "The Sinner's Need of Christ,"pp. 17–22, in Steps to Christ; "In Contact With Others," pp. 492–494, in The Ministry of Healing; "Agents of Satan," pp. 146, 147, in Testimonies for the Church, vol. 5.

"Many are deceived concerning the condition of their hearts. They do not realize that the natural heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked. They wrap themselves about with their own righteousness, and are satisfied in reaching their own human standard of character; but how fatally they fail when they do not reach the divine standard, and of themselves they cannot meet the requirements of God."—Ellen G. White, Selected Messages, book 1, p. 320.

"A terrible picture of the condition of the world has been presented before me. Immorality abounds everywhere. Licentiousness is the special sin of this age. Never did vice lift its deformed head with such boldness as now. The people seem to be benumbed, and the lovers of virtue and true goodness are nearly discouraged by its boldness, strength, and prevalence. The iniquity which abounds is not merely confined to the unbeliever and the scoffer. Would that this were the case, but it is not. Many men and women who profess the religion of Christ are guilty. Even some who profess to be looking for His appearing are no more prepared for that event than Satan himself. They are not cleansing themselves from all pollution. They have so long served their lust that it is natural for their thoughts to be impure and their imaginations corrupt."—Ellen G. White, Testimonies for the Church, vol. 2, p. 346.

In class, go over your answers to Tuesday's question. How do we see this principle manifested in today's society?

Look at the second quote from Ellen G. White in Friday's study. If you see yourself in there, what is the answer? Why is it important not to give up in despair but to keep claiming God's promises—first, of forgiveness; second, of cleansing? Who is the one that wants you to say, once and for all, "It's no use. I'm too corrupt. I can never be saved, so I might as well give up"? Do you listen to him or to Jesus, who will say to us, "Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more"? John 8:11.