Bulwarks of Purity

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D. C. · May 11, 1911

Bulwarks of Purity

SATAN can destroy us only when our hearts are allied to his. Jesus said, “The prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in me.” Nothing to appeal to. What success can the devil have by appealing to avarice in a man who is destitute of that feeling?—Manifestly none. Hence a most effectual resistance to the devil is to erect bulwarks of purity in the mind. The purer the mind, the less there is in it which satanic magnetism can attract.

Here, then, is our problem: How may we get this pure mind?—First, by stopping every evil thought the instant it arises, as already indicated. Second,—and this, perhaps, should have been placed first,—by surrendering the heart wholly to Christ, renewing the surrender every day, and yielding the mind to the Holy Spirit to be purified by him. Even this, however, needs co-operation and watchfulness on our part. We may be “led” of the Spirit; but if led, we must follow. And that means effort. Gradually, as we refuse to give place in our minds to the evil, and yield ourselves only to the good, this will become a habit; and when Satan comes, he will find nothing in us that thrills to his call.—Selected.