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Mind, Character, and Personality Volume 1
You may inquire: How can I master my own actions and control
my inward emotions?
Many who profess not the love of God do control their spirit to a
considerable extent without the aid of the special grace of God. They
cultivate self-control. This is indeed a rebuke to those who know that
from God they may obtain strength and grace and yet do not exhibit
the graces of the Spirit. Christ is our model. He was meek and lowly.
Learn of Him and imitate His example. The Son of God was faultless.
We must aim at this perfection and overcome as He overcame if we
would have a seat at His right hand.—
Testimonies for the Church
3:336
(1873).
[126]
Emotions Are as Changeable as Clouds—But shall we wait till
we feel that we are cleansed? No; Christ has promised that “if we
confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to
cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (
1 John 1:9
). You are proved
of God through the Word of God. You are not to wait for wonderful
emotions before you believe that God has heard you; feeling is not to
be your criterion, for emotions are as changeable as the clouds. You
must have something solid for the foundation of your faith. The word
of the Lord is a word of infinite power upon which you may rely, and
He has said, “Ask, and ye shall receive.” Look to Calvary. Has not
Jesus said that He is your advocate? Has He not said that if you ask
anything in His name you shall receive? You are not to depend on
your own goodness or good works. You are to come depending upon
the Sun of righteousness, believing that Christ has taken away your
sins and imputed to you His righteousness.—
The Signs of the Times,
December 12, 1892
. (
Selected Messages 1:328
.)
Emotions No Sure Safeguard—Feelings are often deceiving,
emotions are no sure safeguard; for they are variable and subject
to external circumstances. Many are deluded by relying on sensational
impressions. The test is: What are you doing for Christ? What sac-
rifices are you making? What victories are you gaining? A selfish
spirit overcome, a temptation to neglect duty resisted, passion subdued,
and willing, cheerful obedience rendered to the will of Christ are far
greater evidences that you are a child of God than spasmodic piety and
emotional religion.—
Testimonies for the Church 4:188
(1876).
Christians Should Not Be Subject to Emotions [
See Appendix
A, 807, “Counsel to a Depressed Middle-Aged Woman,” and Ap-