Chapter 30—The Avenues to the Mind Which Must
Be Guarded
All should guard the senses, lest Satan gain victory over them; for
these are the avenues of the soul.
You will have to become a faithful sentinel over your eyes, ears,
and all your senses if you would control your mind and prevent vain
and corrupt thoughts from staining your soul. The power of grace
alone can accomplish this most desirable work.
Satan and his angels are busy creating a paralyzed condition of the
senses so that cautions, warnings, and reproofs shall not be heard; or,
if heard, that they shall not take effect upon the heart and reform the
life.
Satan Cannot Enter the Mind Without Our Consent
God has provided that we shall not be tempted above what we are
able to bear, but that with every temptation He will make a way of
escape. If we live wholly for God, we shall not allow the mind to
indulge in selfish imaginings.
If there is any way by which Satan can gain access to the mind,
he will sow his tares and cause them to grow until they will yield
an abundant harvest. In no case can Satan obtain dominion over the
thoughts, words, and actions, unless we voluntarily open the door and
invite him to enter. He will then come in and, by catching away the
good seed sown in the heart, make of none effect the truth.
It is not safe for us to linger to contemplate the advantages to be
reaped through yielding to Satan’s suggestions. Sin means dishonor
and disaster to every soul that indulges in it; but it is blinding and
deceiving in its nature, and it will entice us with flattering presentations.
If we venture on Satan’s ground, we have no assurance of protection
from his power. So far as in us lies, we should close every avenue by
which the tempter may find access to us.
214