266
Mind, Character, and Personality Volume 1
In His light shall we see light, until mind and heart and soul are
transformed into the image of His holiness.—
The Ministry of Healing,
464, 465
(1905).
Perceptive Powers Beclouded—Pride, self-love, selfishness, ha-
tred, envy, and jealousy have beclouded the perceptive powers.—
Testimonies for the Church 2:605
(1871).
How Christ Met Perceptions Dulled by Sin—Christ stooped to
take upon Himself human nature that He might reach the fallen race
and lift them up. But the minds of men had become darkened by
sin, their faculties were benumbed and their perceptions dulled, so
that they could not discern His divine character beneath the garb of
humanity. This lack of appreciation on their part was an obstacle to
the work which He desired to accomplish for them; and in order to
give force to His teaching He was often under the necessity of defining
and defending His position.
By referring to His mysterious and divine character, He sought to
lead their minds into a train of thought which would be favorable to
the transforming power of truth. Again, He used the things of nature
with which they were familiar to illustrate divine truth. The soil of the
heart was thus prepared to receive the good seed. He made His hearers
feel that His interests were identified with theirs, that His heart beat
in sympathy with them in their joys and griefs. At the same time they
saw in Him the manifestation of power and excellence far above that
possessed by their most-honored rabbis.
The teachings of Christ were marked with a simplicity, dignity, and
power heretofore unknown to them, and their involuntary exclamation
was, “Never man spake like this man.” The people listened to Him
gladly.—
Testimonies for the Church 5:746, 747
(1889).
Uncontrolled Passions Injure Perceptive Faculties—The lower
passions are to be strictly guarded. The perceptive faculties are abused,
[336]
terribly abused, when the passions are allowed to run riot. When the
passions are indulged, the blood, instead of circulating to all parts of
the body, thereby relieving the heart and clearing the mind, is called
in undue amount to the internal organs. Disease comes as the result.
The man cannot be healthy until the evil is seen and remedied.—
Letters from Ellen G. White to Sanitarium Workers 15, April 3, 1900,
18.
(
Counsels on Health, 587
.)