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Counsels for the Church - Ellen G. White

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Chapter 30<br />

The Avenues to <strong>the</strong> Mind Which Must Be Guarded<br />

All should guard <strong>the</strong> senses, lest Satan gain victory over <strong>the</strong>m; <strong>for</strong> <strong>the</strong>se<br />

are <strong>the</strong> avenues of <strong>the</strong> soul.<br />

You will have to become a faithful sentinel over your eyes, ears, and all<br />

your senses if you would control your mind and prevent vain and corrupt<br />

thoughts from staining your soul. The power of grace alone can accomplish<br />

this most desirable work.<br />

Satan and his angels are busy creating a paralyzed condition of <strong>the</strong><br />

senses so that cautions, warnings, and reproofs shall not be heard; or, if<br />

heard, that <strong>the</strong>y shall not take effect upon <strong>the</strong> heart and re<strong>for</strong>m <strong>the</strong> life.<br />

Satan Cannot Enter <strong>the</strong> Mind Without Our Consent<br />

God has provided that we shall not be tempted above what we are able<br />

to bear, but that with every temptation He will make a way of escape. If we<br />

live wholly <strong>for</strong> God, we shall not allow <strong>the</strong> mind to indulge in selfish<br />

imaginings.<br />

If <strong>the</strong>re is any way by which Satan can gain access to <strong>the</strong> mind, he will<br />

sow his tares and cause <strong>the</strong>m to grow until <strong>the</strong>y will yield an abundant<br />

harvest. In no case can Satan obtain dominion over <strong>the</strong> thoughts, words, and<br />

actions, unless we voluntarily open <strong>the</strong> door and invite him to enter. He will<br />

<strong>the</strong>n come in and, by catching away <strong>the</strong> good seed sown in <strong>the</strong> heart, make of<br />

none effect <strong>the</strong> truth.<br />

It is not safe <strong>for</strong> us to linger to contemplate <strong>the</strong> advantages to be reaped<br />

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