Negative Influences on the Mind
331
Lord looks upon them and hears their great swelling words of vanity.
They are puffed up with pride. The enemy is looking on with surprise
at their being taken captive so easily.—Lt 126, 1906.
Overconfidence the Enemy’s Trap—How vain is the help of man
when Satan’s power is exercised over a human being who has become
self-exalted and who knows not that he is partaking of the science of
Satan. In his self-confidence he walks right into the enemy’s trap and
is ensnared. He did not heed the warnings given and was taken as
Satan’s prey. If he had walked humbly with God, he would have run
into the trysting place God had provided for him. Thus in times of
danger he would have been safe, for God would have lifted for him a
standard against the enemy.—Lt 126, 1906.
Heart Is Naturally Depraved—We must remember that our
hearts are naturally depraved, and we are unable of ourselves to pursue
a right course. It is only by the grace of God, combined with the most
earnest efforts on our part, that we can gain the victory.—
The Review
and Herald, January 4, 1881
. (HC 111.)
Bad Habits Prevent Development—Any habit or practice which
will weaken the nerve and brain power or the physical strength dis-
qualifies for the exercise of the next grace which comes in after
temperance—patience.—MS 13, 1884. (HC 69.)
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Lazy, Undisciplined Minds—God does not want us to be content
with lazy, undisciplined minds, dull thoughts, and loose memories.—
Counsels to Parents, Teachers, and Students, 506
(1913).
Going Through Life at Cross-purposes With the World—The
majority of these ill-disciplined ones go through life at cross-purposes
with the world, making a failure where they should have succeeded.
They grow to feel that the world owes them a grudge because it does
not flatter and caress them, and they take revenge by holding a grudge
against the world and bidding it defiance. Circumstances sometimes
oblige them to affect a humility they do not feel; but it does not fit them
with a natural grace, and their true characters are sure to be exposed
sooner or later.—
Testimonies for the Church 4:202
(1876).
Review Every Habit and Practice—Men and women must be
taught to take a careful review of every habit and practice and at once
put away those things that cause an unhealthy condition of the body
and thus cast a dark shadow over the mind.—
The Review and Herald,
November 12, 1901
. (
Welfare Ministry, 127, 128
.)