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Mind, Character, and Personality Volume 1
the test. They wash out. The colors are not fast. Under the heat of
summer they fade away and are lost. The cloth cannot endure rough
handling.—
Letter 105, 1893
(
The S.D.A. Bible Commentary 6:1101
.)
Not to Be Enslaved by Inheritance—The question for us to con-
sider is, Have we the attributes of Christ? Excuses are valueless. All
circumstances, all appetites and passions, are to be servants to the
God-fearing man, not rulers over him. The Christian is not to be en-
slaved by any hereditary or cultivated habits or tendency.— (
Special
Testimonies for Ministers and Workers 9, 1897, 56.
(
Testimonies to
Ministers and Gospel Workers, 421
.)
Angels Help Fight These Tendencies—Angels are ever present
where they are most needed. They are with those who have the hard-
est battles to fight, with those who must battle against inclination
and hereditary tendencies, whose home surroundings are the most
discouraging.—
The Review and Herald, April 16, 1895
. (
My Life
Today, 303
.)
Faith Purifies Inherited Imperfections—Those who through an
intelligent understanding of the Scriptures view the cross aright, those
who truly believe in Jesus, have a sure foundation for their faith. They
have that faith which works by love and purifies the soul from all its
hereditary and cultivated imperfections.—
Testimonies for the Church
6:238
(1900).
Far-reaching Effects of Environment—We are living in an at-
mosphere of satanic witchery. The enemy will weave a spell of li-
centiousness around every soul that is not barricaded by the grace of
Christ. Temptations will come; but if we watch against the enemy and
maintain the balance of self-control and purity, the seducing spirits will
[147]
have no influence over us. Those who do nothing to encourage temp-
tation will have strength to withstand it when it comes, but those who
keep themselves in an atmosphere of evil will have only themselves
to blame if they are overcome and fall from their steadfastness. In
the future, good reasons will be seen for the warnings given regarding
seducing spirits. Then will be seen the force of Christ’s words, “Be
ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is per-
fect” (
Matthew 5:48
).—
Counsels to Parents, Teachers, and Students,
257
(1913).
Lot’s Daughters Ruined by Evil Environment—Lot dwelt but
a short time in Zoar. Iniquity prevailed there as in Sodom, and he