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Counsels for the Church - Ellen G. White

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impairs <strong>the</strong> moral sense, and tends to obliterate <strong>the</strong> impressions of <strong>the</strong> Holy<br />

Spirit. It dims <strong>the</strong> spiritual vision, so that men cannot behold God. The Lord<br />

may and does <strong>for</strong>give <strong>the</strong> repenting sinner; but though <strong>for</strong>given, <strong>the</strong> soul is<br />

marred. All impurity of speech or of thought must be shunned by him who<br />

would have clear discernment of spiritual truth.158 Some will acknowledge<br />

<strong>the</strong> evil of sinful indulgences, yet will excuse <strong>the</strong>mselves by saying that <strong>the</strong>y<br />

cannot overcome <strong>the</strong>ir passions. This is a terrible admission <strong>for</strong> any person to<br />

make who names Christ. "Let everyone that nameth <strong>the</strong> name of Christ<br />

depart from iniquity." 2 Timothy 2:19. Why is this weakness? It is because<br />

<strong>the</strong> animal propensities have been streng<strong>the</strong>ned by exercise until <strong>the</strong>y have<br />

gained <strong>the</strong> ascendancy over <strong>the</strong> higher powers. Men and women lack<br />

principle. They are dying spiritually because <strong>the</strong>y have so long pampered<br />

<strong>the</strong>ir natural appetites that <strong>the</strong>ir power of self-government seems gone. The<br />

lower passions of <strong>the</strong>ir nature have taken <strong>the</strong> reins, and that which should be<br />

<strong>the</strong> governing power has become <strong>the</strong> servant of corrupt passion. The soul is<br />

held in lowest bondage. Sensuality has quenched <strong>the</strong> desire <strong>for</strong> holiness and<br />

wi<strong>the</strong>red spiritual prosperity.<br />

Defile Not <strong>the</strong> Temple of God<br />

It is <strong>the</strong> special work of Satan in <strong>the</strong>se last days to take possession of <strong>the</strong><br />

minds of youth, to corrupt <strong>the</strong> thoughts and inflame <strong>the</strong> passions; <strong>for</strong> he<br />

knows that by so doing he can lead to impure actions, and thus all <strong>the</strong> noble<br />

faculties of <strong>the</strong> mind will become debased, and he can control <strong>the</strong>m to suit<br />

his own purposes.<br />

My soul mourns <strong>for</strong> <strong>the</strong> youth who are <strong>for</strong>ming characters in this<br />

degenerate age. I tremble <strong>for</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir parents also; <strong>for</strong> I have been shown that as<br />

a general thing <strong>the</strong>y do not understand <strong>the</strong>ir obligations to train up <strong>the</strong>ir<br />

children in <strong>the</strong> way <strong>the</strong>y should go. Custom and fashion are consulted, and<br />

<strong>the</strong> children soon learn to be swayed by <strong>the</strong>se and are corrupted; while <strong>the</strong>ir<br />

indulgent parents are <strong>the</strong>mselves benumbed and asleep to <strong>the</strong>ir danger. But<br />

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