58
Mind, Character, and Personality Volume 1
Beside the loveliness of Christ all earthly attractions will seem of little
worth.—
The Review and Herald, November 15, 1887
.
Knowledge Strengthens Mind and Soul—What we need is
knowledge that will strengthen mind and soul, that will make us better
[69]
men and women. Heart education is of far more importance than mere
book learning. It is well, even essential, to have a knowledge of the
world in which we live; but if we leave eternity out of our reckon-
ing, we shall make a failure from which we can never recover.—
The
Ministry of Healing, 450
(1905).
The Mind and Spiritual Warfare—Our improvement in moral
purity depends on right thinking and right acting. “Not that which
goeth into the mouth defileth a man; but that which cometh out of the
mouth, this defileth a man.” “For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts,
murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies.
These are the things which defile a man” (
Matthew 15:11, 19, 20
).
Evil thoughts destroy the soul. The converting power of God
changes the heart, refining and purifying the thoughts. Unless a deter-
mined effort is made to keep the thoughts centered on Christ, grace
cannot reveal itself in the life. The mind must engage in the spiritual
warfare. Every thought must be brought into captivity to the obedience
of Christ. All the habits must be brought under God’s control.—
Letter
123, 1904
Preoccupation of Mind a Safeguard Against Evil—As a safe-
guard against evil, the preoccupation of the mind with good is worth
more than unnumbered barriers of law and discipline.—
Education,
213
(1903).
A Perverted Imagination Produces Darkness—If the eye of the
mind beholds the excellence of the mystery of Godliness, the advantage
of spiritual riches over worldly riches, the whole body will be full of
light. If the imagination is perverted by the fascination of earthly pomp
and splendor until gain seems Godliness, the whole body will be full
of darkness. When the powers of the mind are concentrated upon the
treasures of earth, they are debased and belittled.—.
The Review and
Herald, September 18, 1888
.
[70]
Mind Directed to Creator, Not Self-exaltation—Were this prin-
ciple [working for God’s glory] given the attention which its impor-
tance demands, there would be a radical change in some of the current
methods of education. Instead of appealing to pride and selfish ambi-