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Mind, Character, and Personality Volume 2
bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure
bringeth forth evil things” (
Matthew 12:34, 35
).—RH, June 12, 1888.
Overt Sin Manifests Latent Thoughts—The season of tempta-
tion, under which, it may be, one falls into grievous sin, does not create
the evil that is revealed but only develops or makes manifest that which
was hidden and latent in the heart. As a man “thinketh in his heart,
so is he”; for out of the heart “are the issues of life” (
Proverbs 23:7
;
4:23
).—
Thoughts from the Mount of Blessing, 60
(1896).
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Obligation to Control Thoughts—In the Sermon on the Mount
Christ presented before His disciples the far-reaching principles of the
law of God. He taught His hearers that the law was transgressed by the
thoughts before the evil desire was carried out in actual commission.
We are under obligation to control our thoughts and to bring them into
subjection to the law of God. The noble powers of the mind have been
given to us by the Lord that we may employ them in contemplating
heavenly things. God has made abundant provision that the soul may
make continual progression in the divine life. He has placed on every
hand agencies to aid our development in knowledge and virtue.—
The
Review and Herald, June 12, 1888
.
Natural Untrained Mind Acts Without High Motives—The
natural, selfish mind, if left to follow out its own evil desires, will
act without high motives, without reference to the glory of God or the
benefit of mankind. The thoughts will be evil, and only evil, contin-
ually.... The Spirit of God produces a new life in the soul, bringing
the thoughts and desires into obedience to the will of Christ.—
The
Review and Herald, June 12, 1888
. (HC 113.)
Adversary Cannot Read Thoughts—The adversary of souls is
not permitted to read the thoughts of men; but he is a keen observer, and
he marks the words; he takes account of actions, and skillfully adapts
his temptations to meet the cases of those who place themselves in his
power. If we would labor to repress sinful thoughts and feelings, giving
them no expression in words or actions, Satan would be defeated; for
he could not prepare his specious temptations to meet the case. But
how often do professed Christians, by their lack of self-control, open
the door to the adversary of souls!—
The Review and Herald, March
22, 1887
. (
Selected Messages 1:122, 123
.)
Many Troubled by Evil Thoughts—There are many who are
really troubled because low, debasing thoughts come into the mind
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