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How to Discipline the Mind, April 17
Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be
acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer.
Psalm 19:14
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The thoughts must be pure, the meditations of the heart must be clean,
if the words of the mouth are to be words acceptable to Heaven, and
helpful to your associates.
The natural, selfish mind, if left to follow out its own evil desires, will
act without high motives, without reference to the glory of God or the
benefit of mankind. The thoughts will be evil, and only evil, continually....
The Spirit of God produces a new life in the soul, bringing the thoughts
and desires into obedience to the will of Christ....
The youth should begin early to cultivate correct habits of thought.
We should discipline the mind to think in a healthful channel, and not
permit it to dwell upon things that are evil.... As God works upon the
heart by His Holy Spirit, man must cooperate with Him....
We should meditate upon the Scriptures, thinking soberly and candidly
upon the things that pertain to our eternal salvation. The infinite mercy
and love of Jesus, the sacrifice made in our behalf, call for most serious
and solemn reflection. We should dwell upon the character of our dear
Redeemer and Intercessor. We should seek to comprehend the meaning of
the plan of salvation. We should meditate upon the mission of Him who
came to save His people from their sins. By constantly contemplating
heavenly themes, our faith and love will grow stronger. Our prayers will
be more and more acceptable to God, because they will be more and more
mixed with faith and love. They will be more intelligent and fervent.
There will be more constant confidence in Jesus, and you will have a daily,
living experience in the willingness and power of Christ to save unto the
uttermost all that come unto God by Him....
There will be a hungering and thirsting of soul to be made like Him
whom we adore. The more our thoughts are upon Christ, the more we
shall speak of Him to others, and represent Him to the world.
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