Chapter 35—The Influence of Perception
A Law in Intellectual and Spiritual Worlds—It is a law both of
the intellectual and the spiritual nature that by beholding we become
changed. The mind gradually adapts itself to the subjects upon which
it is allowed to dwell. It becomes assimilated to that which it is accus-
tomed to love and reverence.—
The Great Controversy, 555
(1888).
Beholding Evil Corrupted Antediluvians—By beholding evil,
men became changed into its image, until God could bear with their
wickedness no longer, and they were swept away by the flood.—
Special Testimonies On Education, 43, 44
, May 11, 1896. (
Funda-
mentals of Christian Education, 421, 422
.)
Changed for the Better—Looking unto Jesus we obtain brighter
and more distinct views of God, and by beholding we become changed.
Goodness, love for our fellowmen, becomes our natural instinct. We
develop a character which is the counterpart of the divine character.
Growing into His likeness, we enlarge our capacity for knowing God.
More and more we enter into fellowship with the heavenly world,
and we have continually increasing power to receive the riches of
the knowledge and wisdom of eternity.—
Christ’s Object Lessons,
355
(1900).
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Changed for the Worse—It is by beholding that we become
changed. And as those sacred precepts in which God has opened
to men the perfection and holiness of His character are neglected and
the minds of the people are attracted to human teachings and theories,
what marvel that there has followed a decline of living piety in the
church. Saith the Lord, “They have forsaken Me the fountain of living
waters, and hewed them out cisterns, broken cisterns, that can hold no
water” (
Jeremiah 2:13
).—
The Great Controversy, 478
(1911).
Life Is Changed by Seeing—The Word of God is a lamp to our
feet and a light to our path. “Thy Word have I hid in mine heart, that I
might not sin against Thee” (
Psalm 119:11
). The heart preoccupied
with the Word of God is fortified against Satan. Those who make Christ
their daily companion and familiar friend will feel that the powers of an
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