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Only as the Life Is Changed
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excellent reasoning powers reason from cause to effect? Why do
they not advocate reform by planting their feet firmly on principle,
determined not to taste alcoholic drink or to use tobacco? These are
poisons, and their use is a violation of God’s law. Some say, when
an effort is made to enlighten them on this point, I will leave off by
degrees. But Satan laughs at all such decisions. He says, They are
secure in my power. I have no fear of them on that ground.
But he knows that he has no power over the man who, when
sinners entice him, has moral courage to say “No” squarely and
positively. Such a one has dismissed the companionship of the devil,
and as long as he holds to Jesus Christ, he is safe. He stands where
heavenly angels can connect with him, giving him moral power to
overcome.—
Manuscript 86, 1897
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A Hard Battle, but God Will Help
—Do you use tobacco or
intoxicating liquor? Cast them from you; for they becloud your
faculties. To give up the use of these things will mean a hard battle,
but God will help you to fight this battle. Ask Him for grace to
overcome, and then believe that He will give it to you, because He
loves you. Do not allow worldly companions to draw you away from
your allegiance to Christ. Rather let your mind be drawn from these
companions to Christ. Tell them that you are seeking for heavenly
treasure. You are not your own; you have been bought with a price,
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even the life of the Son of God, and you are to glorify God in your
body and in your spirit, for they are His.—
Letter 226, 1903
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Seek Help of God and the Righteous
—I have a message from
the Lord for the tempted soul who has been under the control of
Satan, but who is striving to break free. Go to the Lord for help. Go
to those who you know love and fear God, and say, Take me under
your care; for Satan tempts me fiercely. I have no power from the
snare to go. Keep me with you every moment, until I have more
strength to resist temptation.—
Letter 166, 1903
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Personal Relationship With God
—Keep your wants, your
joys, your sorrows, your cares, and your fears, before God.... “The
Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy.” His heart of love is touched
by our sorrows, and even by our utterance of them.... Nothing that
in any way concerns our peace is too small for Him to notice. There
is no chapter in our experience too dark for Him to read; there is no
perplexity too difficult for Him to unravel. No calamity can befall