Love and Sexuality in the Human Experience
181
Constant war against the carnal mind must be maintained; and we
must be aided by the refining influence of the grace of God, which will
attract the mind upward and habituate it to meditate upon pure and
holy things.—
Testimonies for the Church 2:478, 479
(1870).
[226]
Counsel to Women—I write with a distressed heart that the
women in this age, both married and unmarried, too frequently do not
maintain the reserve that is necessary. They act like coquettes. They
encourage the attentions of single and married men, and those who are
weak in moral power will be ensnared.
These things, if allowed, deaden the moral senses and blind the
mind so that crime does not appear sinful. Thoughts are awakened that
would not have been if woman had kept her place in all modesty and
sobriety. She may have had no unlawful purpose or motive herself,
but she has given encouragement to men who are tempted and who
need all the help they can get from those associated with them.
By being circumspect, reserved, taking no liberties, receiving
no unwarrantable attentions, but preserving a high moral tone and
a becoming dignity, much evil might be avoided.—
Manuscript 4a,
1885.
(
The Adventist Home, 331, 332
.)
Women as Tempters—Shall not the women professing the truth
keep strict guard over themselves lest the least encouragement be
given to unwarrantable familiarity? They may close many a door of
temptation if they will observe at all time strict reserve and propriety
of deportment.—
Testimonies for the Church 5:602
(1889).
Women are too often tempters. On one pretense or another they
engage the attention of men, married or unmarried, and lead them on
till they transgress the law of God, till their usefulness is ruined, and
their souls are in jeopardy.—
Testimonies for the Church 5:596
(1889).
Sympathetic Pastor—Be men of God, on the gaining side.
Knowledge is within the reach of all who desire it. God designs
the mind shall become strong, thinking deeper, fuller, clearer. Walk
with God as did Enoch; make God your counselor and you cannot but
make improvement....
[227]
There are men who claim to keep God’s commandments, who will
visit the flock of God under their charge and lead unwary souls into a
train of thought that results in shameless liberties and familiarities....
He [a minister] will, as he visits families, begin to inquire the
secrets of their married life. Do they live happily with their husbands?