What does Ellen White write about...
Adventistische Schriften über: "Read Colossians 3:1–4. Where are your thoughts: usually up or usually down? If they tend to be down, how can you change their direction?"
Answer
To align your thoughts from earthly things to the heavenly, a conscious and continual effort is necessary, because God's grace becomes visible in life only when the spirit in the spiritual battle remains actively focused on Christ. You can change the direction of your thoughts by focusing on Jesus, speaking about spiritual topics instead of unbelief, and keeping a strict watch over your senses. Through constant practice and God's transforming power, it becomes a habit to nurture noble and pure thoughts that lead the heart to holiness.
Constant Effort Against Evil
»At the time of their conversion and baptism, the Colossian believers pledged to lay aside convictions and practices that had been part of their lives up to that point, and to remain faithful to Christ. In his letter, Paul reminded them of this and urged them earnestly not to forget that, in order to keep their vow, they must make constant efforts against the evils that sought to dominate them. “Since you have been raised with Christ,” he said, “seek the things that are above, where Christ sits at the right hand of God. Strive for what is above, not for what is on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.”«
Ascending from the Basement to the Light
»Go down into a cellar, and you may speak of darkness and say, “I cannot see; I cannot see.” But come up into the upper room where the light shines, and you need not be in darkness. Go to where Christ is, and you will have light. Speak of unbelief, and you will have unbelief; but speak of faith, and you will have faith. The harvest will correspond to the seed that is sown. When you speak of heaven and the eternal reward, you will become ever brighter in the Lord, and your faith will grow as it is exercised. Fix your eyes on Jesus, dear friends, and by looking you will be transformed into his image. Do not allow your thoughts to constantly linger on earthly things, but direct them to heavenly things, and then you will be a light to the world wherever you are.«
The Necessity of Thought Control
»The power of right thinking is more valuable than the golden wedge of Ophir.... We must place a high value on the proper control of our thoughts, for such control prepares spirit and soul to work harmoniously for the Master. It is necessary for our peace and happiness in this life that our thoughts be centered on Christ. As a person thinks, so he is. Our improvement in moral purity depends on right thinking and right action.... Evil thoughts destroy the soul. God's converting power transforms the heart and refines and purifies thoughts. If a determined effort is not made to keep thoughts focused on Christ, grace cannot manifest in life. The spirit must participate in the spiritual battle. Every thought must be captured under obedience to Christ. All habits must be brought under God's control.«
Being Guardians Over the Senses
»You should control your thoughts. This will not be an easy task; you cannot accomplish it without thorough and even strict effort. Yet God demands this of you; it is a duty that rests on every responsible being. You are accountable to God for your thoughts. If you indulge in vain imaginations and allow your spirit to linger on impure topics, you are, before God, to some extent as guilty as if your thoughts had been put into action. The only thing that prevents the act is a lack of opportunity. Day-and-night dreaming and building castles in the air are bad and extremely dangerous habits. Once they are established, it is almost impossible to break such habits and direct thoughts toward pure, holy, and lofty subjects. You will have to be a faithful guardian over your eyes, ears, and all your senses if you wish to control your spirit and prevent vain and corrupt thoughts from staining your soul. Only the power of grace can accomplish this highly desirable work. You are weak in this regard.«
Leaving the Streams of the Lowland
»My brothers, lay aside the streams of the lowland and come to the pure waters of Lebanon. You can never walk in the light of God while you fill the spirit with a mass of things it cannot digest. It is time for us to decide to take the help of heaven and allow the spirit to be impressed by the Word of God. Let us close the door to so much reading. Let us pray more and eat the words of life. If there is not a deeper work of grace in spirit and heart, we can never see the face of God.«
Habit Through Constant Repetition
»We need a constant awareness of the refining power of pure thoughts. The only security for every soul is right thinking. As a person “thinks in his heart, so he is.” The power of self‑control is strengthened through practice. What first seems difficult becomes easy through constant repetition, until right thoughts and actions become habit. If we will, we can turn away from all that is inferior and lowly and rise to a higher standard; we can be respected by people and loved by God.«
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