Habits
179
drink; thou wouldest have asked of Him, and He would have given
thee living water” (
John 4:10
). He turned the conversation to the
treasure He had to bestow, offering the woman something better than
she possessed, even living water, the joy and hope of the gospel.—
The
Ministry of Healing, 156, 157
(1905).
Effort to Reform Comes From Desire to Do Right—It is true
that men sometimes become ashamed of their sinful ways and give up
some of their evil habits before they are conscious that they are being
drawn to Christ. But whenever they make an effort to reform, from
a sincere desire to do right, it is the power of Christ that is drawing
them. An influence of which they are unconscious works upon the
soul, and the conscience is quickened and the outward life is amended.
And as Christ draws them to look upon His cross, to behold Him
whom their sins have pierced, the commandment comes home to the
conscience. The wickedness of their life, the deep-seated sin of the
soul, is revealed to them. They begin to comprehend something of
the righteousness of Christ and exclaim, “What is sin, that it should
require such a sacrifice for the redemption of its victim? Was all this
love, all this suffering, all this humiliation, demanded that we might
not perish, but have everlasting life?”—
Steps to Christ, 27
(1892).
Evil Habits to Be Overcome—By beholding as in a glass the
glory of the Lord, we are actually to be changed into the same image,
from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord. We expect too
little, and we receive according to our faith. We are not to cling to our
own ways, our own plans, our own ideas; we are to be transformed
by the renewing of our minds that we may prove “what is that good,
and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” Besetting sins are to be
[601]
conquered and evil habits overcome. Wrong dispositions and feelings
are to be rooted out and holy tempers and emotions begotten in us by
the Spirit of God.—Lt 57, 1887.
Bad habits, when opposed, will offer the most vigorous resistance;
but if the warfare is kept up with energy and perseverance, they may
be conquered.—
Testimonies for the Church 4:655
(1881).
Grace of Christ Breaks Bondage of Evil Habit—Men need to
learn that the blessings of obedience, in their fullness, can be theirs
only as they receive the grace of Christ. It is His grace that gives man
power to obey the laws of God. It is this that enables him to break
the bondage of evil habit. This is the only power that can make him