What does Ellen White write about...
Adventistische Schriften über: "What to do when there is a lack of interest in Bible reading and an inability to overcome it? Does that mean one is lost?"
Answer
A lack of interest in Bible reading often results from a habit of shallow or entertaining literature, which spoils the taste for spiritual truths and weakens moral strength. Whoever finds no joy in God's Word is in a dangerous spiritual condition of separation from God, since the study of Holy Scripture is essential for character transformation and protection from temptations. Nevertheless there is hope: Through persistent study of the Bible and the conscious subordination of thoughts to the Spirit of Christ, love for God's Word can be rekindled and victory over one's own inability can be achieved.
Danger from Wrong Reading and Disinterest
»Reading [story books] makes the spirit incapable of receiving healthy biblical principles and practicing practical godliness. Persons of this class are of no use for the work. God cannot connect with them; angels cannot cooperate with them. Their spirit is vain and foolish, and because they do not have the Spirit of Christ and feel no inclination to become acquainted with Him, they clearly show that they do not feel morally obligated to offer any sacrifice for the sake of truth. ... Those who see nothing interesting in the Word of God are still in their sins and connected with Satan, who controls their spirit and thoughts.«
Necessity of Effort and Overcoming
»Do not let anyone believe that it is an easy matter to overcome the enemy, and that one can be lifted to an imperishable inheritance without personal effort. Looking back means becoming dizzy; letting go of the hold means sinking. Few appreciate the importance of constantly striving for overcoming. ... There is hope for each of us, but only on one path, namely by binding ourselves to Christ and expending every energy to attain the perfection of His character.«
Bible Reading as Protection and Heart Transformation
»It is not natural for the heart to love the Bible; but when it is renewed by grace, the spirit will delight in the rich truths and promises in the Word of God. Awake and pray, children, so that you are not overcome by the enemy. Make persistent efforts for eternal life. ... If you neglect reading the Bible, you will lose your love for it. Those who love the Word of God are the ones who read it the most.«
The Decision Regarding Eternal Destiny
»If we indeed travel there [to heaven], the spirit of heaven will dwell here in our hearts. But if now we find no pleasure in contemplating heavenly things; if we have no interest in seeking the knowledge of God, no joy in considering the character of Christ; if holiness has no attraction for us – then we can be certain that our hope for heaven is in vain. Perfect conformity with the will of God is the lofty goal that must constantly be before the Christian's eyes.«
Self-Control of Thoughts
»You have the power to train the mind and control its processes, giving direction to the flow of your thoughts. Others cannot do this for you – you must do it yourself. But doing so will require effort and toil. This work cannot be done by letting imagination run free. Thoughts must be resolutely and persistently brought into obedience to the Spirit of Christ.«
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.
