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Habits and Character Building, August 26
Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not in the way of evil
men.
Proverbs 4:14
.
Few realize the power of habit. Inspiration asks, “Can the Ethiopian
change his skin, or the leopard his spots?” and adds, “then may ye also do
good that are accustomed to do evil.”
Jeremiah 13:23
. This is a solemn
assertion.... But there is comfort and courage in the reflection that if evil
habits acquire such force that it seems almost impossible to turn in the
right direction, the power of good habits is equally strong. The results
of each day’s work, whether the tendency be to elevate us in the scale of
moral worth or to push us downward toward perdition, are influenced by
the days that have preceded it. Defeat today prepares the way for still
greater defeat tomorrow; victory today ensures an easier victory tomorrow.
Then how careful we should be to see that the habits and characters we
are forming are correct and virtuous....
Young friends, restrain your feet from all evil ways.... Men may disci-
pline themselves to do right. Like Daniel they may have a Heaven-born
purpose in their hearts that they will not defile soul or body, notwith-
standing the degeneracy and corruption of the age. God gave Daniel
“knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom.”
Daniel 1:17
. His bless-
ing attended the man who put forth human effort in accordance with the
divine will. The same help will still be given to all who pursue a sim-
ilar course, and with the glory of God in view practice abstinence and
self-restraint. The same difference will be seen between them and the
self-indulgent that there was between Daniel and his fellows and the other
youth in the king’s court. There will be the clear eye and complexion,
the firm tread, the strength and vigor of intellect, the keen perception of
spiritual truth.
Let us remember that character is not the result of accident, but day
by day it is forming for good or for evil. Great importance attaches to
this work of character building; for it is far reaching in its results. We are
builders for time and for eternity.
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