p. 16 | Freedom in Thought

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Jun 22, 1904

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 30, No. 25.

Freedom in Thought

The only free thinkers in the world are those who think in harmony with the Word of God. That Word was indited by the Spirit of Christ (1 Peter 1:10, 11), and the same Spirit leads one to think accordingly. “If, therefore, the Son shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.” John 8:36. For all the thoughts that lead one away from Christ into the bondage of sin are not free thoughts; they are inspired of the adversary, who would lead us into mental slavery. The habit of thought forms the character of the individual. “As he thinketh in his heart, so is he.” Prov. 23:7. David tells us that the law of God is the truth (Ps. 119:142); Christ made the law honorable (Isa. 42:21); Paul says the law is just (Rom. 7:12); David also says the commandment of the Lord is pure (Ps. 19:8); and all of these commend the law as an object of love (Ps. 119:97; John 4:34 with Ps. 40:7, 8; Rom. 7:22). So Paul, in summing up a line of thought that is specially profitable, says: “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, R.V. “Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in His law doth he meditate day and night.” Ps. 1:1, 2.