Chapter 72—The Battle for Reform
Sincere Repentance and Determined Effort Necessary—Those
who corrupt their own bodies cannot enjoy the favor of God until they
sincerely repent, make an entire reform, and perfect holiness in the
fear of the Lord
The only hope for those who practice vile habits is to forever leave
them if they place any value upon health here and salvation hereafter.
When these habits have been indulged in for quite a length of time, it
requires a determined effort to resist temptation and refuse the corrupt
indulgence
Thoughts Must Be Controlled [
Note: these are further extracts
from a letter to the self-willed youth who was practicing secret vice.
]—
You should control your thoughts. This will not be an easy task; you
cannot accomplish it without close and even severe effort.... If you
indulge in vain imaginations, permitting your mind to dwell upon
impure subjects, you are, in a degree, as guilty before God as if your
thoughts were carried into action. All that prevents the action is the
lack of opportunity. Day and night dreaming and castle-building are
bad and exceedingly dangerous habits. When once established, it is
next to impossible to break up such habits and direct the thoughts
to pure, holy, elevated themes. You will have to become a faithful
sentinel over your eyes, ears, and all your senses if you would control
your mind and prevent vain and corrupt thoughts from staining your
soul. The power of grace alone can accomplish this most desirable
work
[465]
[
From “Steps to Christ” by Mrs. E. G. White. By permission of
Fleming H. Revell Co., publishers.
]
1
An Appeal to Mothers, 29
.
2
An Appeal to Mothers, 27
.
3
Testimonies For The Church 2:561
.
355