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Mind, Character, and Personality Volume 1
This explains it all. They feel that they are “rich, and increased
with goods, and have need of nothing,” while Heaven pronounces
them poor, miserable, blind, and naked. To these the True Witness
says, “I counsel thee to buy of Me gold tried in the fire, that thou
mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and
that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes
with eyesalve, that thou mayest see” (
Revelation 3:17, 18
). Your very
self-complacency shows you to be in need of everything. You are
spiritually sick and need Jesus as your physician.—
Testimonies for
the Church 5:265
(1882).
Dangers in Self-flattery—It is difficult for us to understand our-
selves, to have a correct knowledge of our own characters. The Word
[274]
of God is plain, but often there is an error in applying it to one’s
self. There is liability to self-deception and to think its warnings and
reproofs do not mean me. “The heart is deceitful above all things,
and desperately wicked: who can know it?” (
Jeremiah 17:9
). Self-
flattery may be construed into Christian emotion and zeal. Self-love
and confidence may give us assurance that we are right when we are
far from meeting the requirements of God’s Word.—
Testimonies for
the Church 5:332
(1885).
Ruinous Influence of Self-exaltation on Mind—So deep is the
impression of self-exaltation in the human heart, so great the desire
for human power, that with many mind and heart and soul become
absorbed with the idea of ruling and commanding. Nothing can destroy
this ruinous influence upon the human mind but seeking the Lord for
heavenly eyesight. Only the power of divine grace can make man
understand his true position and accomplish for him the work essential
to be wrought in the heart.—
Letter 412, 1907
.
Avoiding Extremes of Self-confidence (counsel to an execu-
tive)—If you form too high an opinion of yourself, you will think
that your labors are of more real consequence than they are, and you
will plead individual independence which borders on arrogance. If you
go to the other extreme and form too low an opinion of yourself, you
will feel inferior and will leave an impression of inferiority which will
greatly limit the influence that you might have for good. You should
avoid either extreme. Feeling should not control you; circumstances
should not affect you. You may form a correct estimate of yourself,
one which will prove a safeguard from both extremes. You may be