p. 818 | OUR THOUGHTS by Mrs. B. J. Cady

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Dec 25, 1900

OUR THOUGHTS

By Mrs. B. J. Cady

MRS. B. J. CADY (Papeete, Tahiti, Society Islands)

When Solomon said, “For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he,” he meant that our conversation, disposition, and actions partake of the character of our thoughts. A person who is constantly cherishing thoughts of self, is necessarily a selfish person. We can not be otherwise than selfish if we are continually thinking of self; for the root of selfish words and deeds is simply selfish thoughts.

We may be always thinking about how we are regarded by others, and may have a strong desire to be highly esteemed. The more we think about it, the stronger grows that desire for self-exaltation. It leads to proud and boastful words, and often to unkind remarks and criticism of others.

Satan seeks to make us believe that by depreciating some one else we ourselves are thought of more highly. But this is a mistake; for we can not speak bitter words of condemnation against any one without lowering ourselves in the estimation of those who hear us. The listener may be gratified to hear the unkind sentence, but it will only lessen his respect for the one who pronounces it.

Doubtless we should all be glad to overcome the bad habit of evil-speaking. Then we must begin at the foundation,—we must stop thinking of self, and of what others think of us; for the desire to exalt self is the principal motive that prompts us to expose the faults and failings of our fellow men. Instead of selfishness, we need to cultivate thoughts of charity toward others, and such will surely manifest themselves in kind and charitable words.

If our thoughts were always pure and charitable, our words and actions would be the same. Hateful, unloving thoughts cause us to act in a hateful manner. Selfish thoughts make us speak and act selfishly. On the contrary, if our hearts are full of love, we are kind and loving.

Thinking too much of self leads the rich man to defraud his poor neighbor, and to withhold that which rightfully belongs to his neighbor, and is really needful for his comfort. If the rich man would consider the feelings and needs of his unfortunate neighbor, he would be led to deal charitably with him.

The Saviour shows plainly the importance of our thoughts: “A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil.” So, if we wish to refrain from speaking harsh and unkind words, we must guard our thoughts well. When we can keep the latter under control, and cherish only those which are good, then evil words will not cause us endless mortification and trouble by bursting out unexpectedly, and wounding the hearts of our friends. “For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.”

Wrong thoughts not only lead to many grievous sins, but are also sin in themselves. The Scripture says, “The thought of foolishness is sin.” Prov. 24:9. It is a fact that the worst sins can be actually committed simply through thinking. The words, “Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer,” show that in hating a brother one violates the sixth commandment. The seventh commandment can also be broken by the mind alone; for, “Whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.” Covetousness is an action of the mind, and of that only; though it often leads to other sins, as one sin always tends to another.

Since there is danger of violating the holy law of God by our thoughts, as well as by word and deed, how earnestly we should strive to heed the admonition of Peter, and gird up the loins of our mind. It will require strenuous effort, for Satan takes control of the mind whenever he can. We need to watch and pray that we may be victorious upon this point first of all; for we must first have our mind in subjection to Christ before we can be perfected in Him.

“Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true; whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” Phil. 4:8.