Mind, the Citadel
61
any kind, eternal things are not discerned.—
The Review and Herald,
September 8, 1874
. (
Messages to Young People, 236
.)
The Tyranny of Custom—The strength or the weakness of the
mind has very much to do with our usefulness in this world and with
our final salvation. The ignorance that has prevailed in regard to God’s
law in our physical nature is deplorable. Intemperance of any kind
is a violation of the laws of our being. Imbecility is prevailing to a
fearful extent. Sin is made attractive by the covering of light which
Satan throws over it, and he is well pleased when he can hold the
Christian world in their daily habits under the tyranny of custom, like
the heathen, and allow appetite to govern them.—
The Review and
Herald, September 8, 1874
. (
Messages to Young People, 237
.)
Guarding the Citadel—All should feel the necessity of keeping
the moral nature braced by constant watchfulness. Like faithful sen-
tinels, they should guard the citadel of the soul, never feeling that they
may relax their vigilance for a moment.—
Testimony for the Physi-
cians and Helpers of the Sanitarium, 1879, 65.
(
Counsels on Health,
411
.)
[74]
The Mind Rightly Trained Wavers Not—The mind must be
trained through daily tests to habits of fidelity, to a sense of the claims
of right and duty above inclination and pleasure. Minds thus trained do
not waver between right and wrong, as the reed trembles in the wind;
but as soon as matters come before them, they discern at once that
principle is involved, and they instinctively choose the right without
long debating the matter. They are loyal because they have trained
themselves in habits of faithfulness and truth.—
Testimonies for the
Church 3:22
(1872).
The Unguarded Citadel—By beholding we become changed.
Though formed in the image of his Maker, man can so educate his
mind that sin which he once loathed will become pleasant to him. As
he ceases to watch and pray, he ceases to guard the citadel, the heart,
and engages in sin and crime. The mind is debased, and it is impossible
to elevate it from corruption while it is being educated to enslave the
moral and intellectual powers and bring them in subjection to grosser
passions. Constant war against the carnal mind must be maintained;
and we must be aided by the refining influence of the grace of God,
which will attract the mind upward and habituate it to meditate upon
pure and holy things.—
Testimonies for the Church 2:479
(1870).