I

Something happens that requires you to endure hardship,

at which time you should understand what God’s intentions are

and how you should be considerate of His intentions.

You must not satisfy yourself:

First put yourself to one side. Nothing is more abject than the flesh.

You must seek to satisfy God,

and you must fulfill your duty.

With such thoughts,

God will bring especial enlightenment to you in this matter,

and your heart will also find comfort.

II

When something happens to you,

be it big or small, you must first put yourself to one side

and regard the flesh as the most lowly of all things.

The more you satisfy the flesh,

the more liberties it takes;

if you satisfy it this time, next time it will ask for more.

The flesh always has extravagant desires.

The more you satisfy it, the greater its desires become

and the more debauched the flesh becomes,

the more you satisfy it, the greater its desires become

and the more debauched the flesh becomes,

until it gets to the point when people’s flesh harbors even deeper notions,

and rebels against God, and exalts itself,

and becomes doubtful about God’s work.

III

Man’s flesh is like the snake: Its substance is to harm their lives—

and when it completely gets its own way, your life becomes forfeit.

The flesh belongs to Satan. Within it are extravagant desires,

it thinks only for itself,

it wants to enjoy comfort and revel in leisure,

wallowing in sloth and idleness,

and having satisfied it to a certain point

you will ultimately be eaten up by it.

from The Word, Vol. 1. The Appearance and Work of God. Only Loving God Is Truly Believing in God