Ellen Gould White
What does Ellen White write about...
Ellen Gould White über: "What influence does interaction with other children have on character formation?"
Answer
Interaction with other children has a decisive influence on character formation, as children, through mysterious bonds, adopt the ideas, feelings, and spirit of their companions. These social contacts can become a blessing by promoting good habits and righteousness, or they can be demoralizing and destroy the Christian principles taught in the home. Especially a disobedient child can negatively shape others, which is why the choice of companions can also decide the future usefulness and eternal destiny of a young person.
The Formative Influence of Companions
»It is inevitable that youth will have companions, and they will necessarily feel their influence. There are mysterious connections that bind souls together, so that one heart answers the other. One takes up the ideas, feelings, and spirit of the other. This connection can be a blessing or a curse. Young people can help and strengthen each other, improving in conduct, disposition, and knowledge; or they can, by allowing themselves to become lax and unfaithful, exert an influence that is demoralizing.«
Influence on the Development of Character Traits
»The Word of God places great emphasis on the influence of associations, even for men and women. How much greater is their power over the developing mind and character of children and youth. The society in which they live, the principles they adopt, the habits they form, will decide the question of their usefulness here and of their future, eternal interest. ... Generally, men and women who have broad outlooks, selfless intentions, and noble aspirations are those whose traits were developed through their associations in their youth.«
Danger Posed by Disobedient Children
»A disobedient child will cause great harm to those with whom it associates, for it will shape other children in its own pattern.«
The Lasting Impact of Early Impressions
»When children are together with those whose conversations revolve around trivial, earthly matters, their minds will rise to the same level. When they hear the principles of religion being disparaged and our faith belittled, when cunning objections to the truth are uttered in their presence, these things will take root in their minds and shape their character. ... If a false impression is left in the spirit of youth, it will leave a trace, not on sand, but on enduring rock.«
The Need for Parental Guidance in Choosing Friends
»The devil works through these [young companions] and leads them to influence and corrupt the spirit of others. It is the most effective way he can operate. The youths have a powerful influence on one another. Their conversation is not always chosen and lofty. Evil messages are whispered into the ear, which, if not resolutely resisted, will find lodging in the heart, take root and sprout, bearing fruit and corrupting good morals.«
Danger of Initiation into Bad Habits
»There are some children whose moral capacities are highly developed, but who, through association with children who practice self‑indulgence, are initiated into this vice. The effect on such children will often be that they become melancholy, irritable, and jealous; ... They will at times suffer heavily under feelings of remorse, feel humbled in their own eyes, and lose their self‑respect.«
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.
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