Ellen Gould White
What does Ellen White write about...
Ellen Gould White über: "How should a Christian deal with temptations?"
Answer
To triumph over temptations, the Christian must follow the example of Jesus, who resisted Satan by the Word of God ("It is written"). Since human strength alone is insufficient, a living connection to Christ and prayer are essential to receive divine help. Moreover, it is important to avoid dangerous environments and to strengthen the senses through Bible study against the enemy's wiles.
Christ's example in overcoming temptations
»Christ resisted Satan with the Scripture. He could have relied on His own divine power and used His own words; but He said, "It is written: Man does not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God." ... Christ's example lies before us. If the Holy Scripture were studied and obeyed, the Christian would be strengthened to meet the crafty enemy; but the Word of God is neglected, and catastrophe and defeat follow.«
Avoidance of temptations and vigilance
»Temptations can be everywhere around you, but you are safe as long as you do not give in to them. Many of us are overcome by Satan because we run straight into the temptation. Now, dear son, be watchful and pray, so that you are not inclined to give in to temptations. It is your duty to keep away from everything that has the tendency to lead you away from duty and distract your spirit from God.«
The necessity of divine power
»Separated from divine power, no genuine reform can be effected. Human barriers against natural and trained inclinations are like a sand wall against the current. Only when the life of Christ becomes a vivifying power in our lives can we resist the temptations that assail us from within and without. Christ came into this world and lived the law of God, so that man may obtain complete mastery over the natural inclinations that corrupt the soul.«
Constant vigilance and personal effort
»Every Christian must keep constant watch and observe every access to the soul where Satan might gain entry. He must pray for divine help and at the same time resolutely resist every inclination toward sin. Through courage, faith, and persistent effort he can triumph. Yet he should remember that Christ must remain in him and he in Christ, to achieve victory.«
Victory through the sword of the Spirit
»If we are self‑confident or self‑righteous, we will fall under the power of temptation; but if we look to Jesus and trust in Him, we invoke a power that has defeated the enemy on the battlefield, and with each temptation He will provide a way out. When Satan bursts in like a flood, we must meet his temptations with the sword of the Spirit, and Jesus will be our helper.«
Original Sources (English)
Stephan Krol
Founder of EGW Vision
Why I built EGW Vision
Hello, I am Stephan Krol. I started this Ellen White website to make the writings of Ellen G. White and the Adventist pioneers easier to access for everyone.
EGW Vision helps you find topics, statements, and quotes faster, especially when many original sources are not yet fully available in your language. The tool searches semantically, groups relevant content by topic, and presents matching results as clearly as possible in your language.
My hope is that this tool supports personal Bible study, strengthens trust in the original sources, and helps more people discover the message of these writings with clarity, depth, and joy.
