Imagination
175
be pursued relative to yourself have long held you from good. I have
understood your case for years but have felt incompetent to present
the matter in so clear a manner that you could see and comprehend
it and put to a practical use the light given you.—
Testimonies for the
Church 3:69
(1872).
Mothers and Imagination—I have been shown mothers who are
governed by a diseased imagination, the influence of which is felt
[595]
upon husband and children. The windows must be kept closed because
the mother feels the air. If she is at all chilly, and a change is made
in her clothing, she thinks her children must be treated in the same
manner, and thus the entire family are robbed of physical stamina. All
are affected by one mind, physically and mentally injured through the
diseased imagination of one woman, who considers herself a criterion
for the whole family....
Persons bring disease upon themselves by their wrong habits; yet in
the face of light and knowledge, they will adhere to their own course.
They reason thus: “Have we not tried the matter? and do we not
understand it by experience?” But the experience of a person whose
imagination is at fault should not have much weight with anyone.—
Testimonies for the Church 2:524
(1870).
Harnessing the Mind—All are free moral agents, and as such
they must bring their thoughts to run in the right channel. Here is
a wide field in which the mind can safely range. If Satan seeks to
divert the mind to low and sensual things, bring it back again and place
it on eternal things; and when the Lord sees the determined effort
made to retain only pure thoughts, He will attract the mind, like the
magnet, purify the thoughts, and enable them to cleanse themselves
from every secret sin. “Casting down imaginations, and every high
thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing
into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ” (
2 Corinthians
10:5
).
The first work of those who would reform is to purify the imagina-
tion. If the mind is led out in a vicious direction, it must be restrained
to dwell only upon pure and elevated subjects. When tempted to yield
to a corrupt imagination, then flee to the throne of grace and pray for
strength from Heaven. In the strength of God the imagination can be
disciplined to dwell upon things which are pure and heavenly.—Und
MS 93.
[596]