Testimonies for the Church, Volume 2 - Ellen G. White

as if your thoughts were carried into action. All
that prevents the action is the lack of opportunity.
Day and night dreaming and castle-building are
bad and exceedingly dangerous habits. When once
established, it is next to impossible to break up
such habits, and direct the thoughts to pure, holy,
elevated themes. You will have to become a
faithful sentinel over your eyes, ears, and all your
senses if you would control your mind and prevent
vain and corrupt thoughts from staining your soul.
The power of grace alone can accomplish this most
desirable work. You are weak in this direction.
You have become wayward, bold, and daring.
The grace of God has no place in your heart. In the
strength of God alone can you bring yourself where
you can be a recipient of His grace, an instrument
of righteousness. Not only does God require you to
control your thoughts, but also your passions and
affections. Your salvation depends upon your
governing yourself in these things. Passion and
affection are powerful agents. If misapplied, if set
in operation through wrong motives, if misplaced,
they are powerful to accomplish your ruin and
1006