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Mind, Character, and Personality Volume 1
impure suggestion must be dismissed at once, and pure, elevating
thoughts, holy contemplation, be entertained, thus obtaining more and
more knowledge of God by training the mind in the contemplation of
heavenly things. God has simple means open to every individual case,
sufficient to secure the great end, the salvation of the soul.
Resolve to reach a high and holy standard; make your mark high;
act with earnest purpose, as did Daniel, steadily, perseveringly, and
nothing that the enemy can do will hinder your improvement. Notwith-
standing inconveniences, changes, perplexities, you may constantly
advance in mental vigor and moral power.—
Letter 26d, 1887
. (
In
Heavenly Places, 197
.)
Don’t Create an Emergency—Every unholy passion must be
kept under the control of sanctified reason through the grace abundantly
bestowed of God in every emergency. But let no arrangement be made
to create an emergency, let there be no voluntary act to place one where
he will be assailed with temptation or give the least occasion for others
to think him guilty of indiscretion.—
Letter 18, 1891
.
Keep Away From the Brink—Do not see how close you can walk
upon the brink of a precipice and be safe. Avoid the first approach
to danger. The soul’s interests cannot be trifled with. Your capital
is your character. Cherish it as you would a golden treasure. Moral
purity, self-respect, a strong power of resistance, must be firmly and
constantly cherished....
Let no one think he can overcome without the help of God. You
must have the energy, the strength, the power, of an inner life developed
within you. You will then bear fruit unto godliness and will have an
intense loathing of vice. You need to constantly strive to work away
from earthliness, from cheap conversation, from everything sensual,
and aim for nobility of soul and a pure and unspotted character. Your
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name may be kept so pure that it cannot justly be connected with
anything dishonest or unrighteous but will be respected by all the
good and pure, and it may be written in the Lamb’s book of life.—
Manuscript 4a, 1885.
(.)
Satan or Christ in Control—When the mind is not under the
direct influence of the Spirit of God, Satan can mold it as he chooses.
All the rational powers which he controls he will carnalize. He is
directly opposed to God in his tastes, views, preferences, likes and