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Messages to Young People
Changing the Habits of Thought
Let none imagine that without earnest effort on their part they can
obtain the assurance of God’s love. When the mind has been long
permitted to dwell only on earthly things, it is a difficult matter to
change the habits of thought. That which the eye sees and the ear hears
too often attracts the attention and absorbs the interest.
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But if we would enter the city of God, and look upon Jesus in His
glory, we must become accustomed to beholding Him with the eye of
faith here. The words and the character of Christ should be often the
subject of our thoughts and of our conversation; and each day some
time should be especially devoted to prayerful meditation upon these
sacred themes.
Sanctification a Daily Work
Sanctification is a daily work. Let none deceive themselves with
the belief that God will pardon and bless them while they are trampling
upon one of His requirements. The willful commission of a known sin
silences the witnessing voice of the Spirit, and separates the soul from
God. Whatever may be the ecstasies of religious feeling, Jesus cannot
abide in the heart that disregards the divine law. God will honor those
only who honor Him.
“To whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye
are to whom ye obey.” If we indulge anger, lust, covetousness, hatred,
selfishness, or any other sin, we become servants of sin. “No man
can serve two masters.” If we serve sin, we cannot serve Christ. The
Christian will feel the promptings of sin, for the flesh lusteth against the
Spirit; but the Spirit striveth against the flesh, keeping up a constant
warfare. Here is where Christ’s help is needed. Human weakness
becomes united to divine strength, and faith exclaims, “Thanks be to
God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ!”
If we would develop a character which God can accept, we must
form correct habits in our religious life. Daily prayer is as essential to
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growth in grace, and even to spiritual life itself, as is temporal food
to physical well-being. We should accustom ourselves to often lift
the thoughts to God in prayer. If the mind wanders, we must bring it
back; by persevering effort, habit will finally make it easy. We cannot