Victory over Sin
by Ellen White
A Christian has victory over his besetments, over his passions. There is a remedy for
the sin-sick soul. That remedy is in Jesus. Precious Saviour! His grace is sufficient for
the weakest; and the strongest must also have his grace or perish.
I saw how this grace could be obtained. Go to your closet, and there alone plead with
God: `Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me' [Ps. 51:10].
Be in earnest, be sincere. Fervent prayer availeth much. Jacob-like, wrestle in prayer.
Agonise. Jesus in the garden, sweat great drops of blood; you must make an effort. Do not
leave your closet until you feel strong in God; then watch, and just as long as you watch
and pray, you can keep these evil besetments under, and the grace of God can and will
appear in you. 1T 158
Satan will work his miracles to deceive; he will set up his power as supreme. The
church may appear as about to fall, but it does not fall. It remains, while the sinners in
Zion will be sifted out--the chaff separated from the precious wheat. This is a terrible
ordeal, but nevertheless it must take place. None but those who have been overcoming by
the blood of the Lamb and the word of their testimony will be found with the loyal and
true, without spot or stain of sin, without guile in their mouths. . . . The remnant that
purify their souls by obeying the truth gather strength from the trying process,
exhibiting the beauty of holiness amid the surrounding apostasy (Letter 55, 1886). 7BC 911
Our physical health is maintained by that which we eat; if our appetites are not under
the control of a sanctified mind, if we are not temperate in all our eating and drinking,
we shall not be in a state of mental and physical soundness to study the word with a
purpose to learn what saith the Scripture --what shall I do to inherit eternal life? Any
unhealthful habit will produce an unhealthful condition in the system, and the delicate,
living machinery of the stomach will be injured, and will not be able to do its work
properly. The diet has much to do with the disposition to enter into temptation and commit
sin. CD 52
Few realise that it is a duty to exercise control over the thoughts and imaginations.
It is difficult to keep the undisciplined mind fixed upon profitable subjects. But if the
thoughts are not properly employed, religion cannot flourish in the soul. The mind must be
preoccupied with sacred and eternal things, or it will cherish trifling and superficial
thoughts. Both the intellectual and the moral powers must be disciplined, and they will .
. . improved by exercise.
In order to understand this matter aright, we must remember that our hearts are
naturally depraved, and we are unable of ourselves to pursue a right course. It is only by
the grace of God, combined with the most earnest effort on our part, that we can gain the
victory. The intellect, as well as the heart, must be consecrated to the service of God.
He has claims upon all there is of us. CT 544
"Blessed are the meek." The difficulties we have to encounter may be very
much lessened by that meekness which hides itself in Christ. If we possess the humility of
our Master, we shall rise above the slights, the rebuffs, the annoyances to which we are
daily exposed, and they will cease to cast a gloom over the spirit. The highest evidence
of nobility in a Christian is self-control. He who under abuse or cruelty fails to
maintain a calm and trustful spirit, robs God of His right to reveal in him His own
perfection of character. Lowliness of heart is the strength that gives victory to the
followers of Christ; it is the token of their connection with the courts above. DA 301
God's ideal for His children is higher than the highest human thought can reach.
"Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect."
This command is a promise. The plan of redemption contemplates our complete recovery from
the power of Satan. Christ always separates the contrite soul from sin. He came to destroy
the works of the devil, and He has made provision that the Holy Spirit shall be imparted
to every repentant soul, to keep him from sinning. DA 311
It is the grace that Christ implants in the soul which creates in man enmity against
Satan. Without this converting grace and renewing power, man would continue the captive of
Satan, a servant ever ready to do his bidding. But the new principle in the soul creates
conflict where hitherto had been peace. The power which Christ imparts enables man to
resist the tyrant and usurper. Whoever is seen to abhor sin instead of loving it, whoever
resists and conquers those passions that have held sway within, displays the operation of
a principle wholly from above. GC 506
There are many who testify daily, I am not changed in character, only in theory . . .
All may through faith gain a conqueror's crown, but many are not willing to engage in hand
to hand warfare with their own imperfect dispositions. They retain attributes which make
them offensive to God. Daily they are transgressing the principles of His holy law. If all
would only learn the simple lesson that they must take and wear the yoke of Christ and
learn of the Great Teacher His meekness and lowliness of heart, they would better fulfil
their covenant to love God supremely and their neighbour as themselves. . . They must
begin at the very beginning, Christ says, Take My yoke of restraint and obedience upon
you, and learn of Me. . The heart will then be made right with God, through the creative
power of Christ. Partakers of the divine nature, they are transformed. . . HP 162
The good resolutions made in one's own strength avail nothing. Not all the pledges in
the world will break the power of evil habit. Never will men practice temperance in all
things until their hearts are renewed by divine grace. We cannot keep ourselves from sin
for one moment. Every moment we are dependent upon God. MH 179
The path to freedom from sin is through crucifixion of self, and conflict with the
powers of darkness. Let none be discouraged in view of the severe trials to be met in the
time of Jacob's trouble, which is yet before them. They are to work earnestly, anxiously,
not for that time, but for to-day. What we want is to have a knowledge of the truth as it
is in Christ now, and a personal experience now. In these precious closing hours of
probation, we have a deep and living experience to gain. We shall thus form characters
that will insure our deliverance in the time of trouble. RH AUG.12,1884
Christ has made every provision for the sanctification of His Church. He has made
abundant provision for every soul to have such grace and strength that he will be more
than a conqueror in the warfare against sin. The Saviour is wounded afresh and put to open
shame when His people pay no heed to His word. He came to this world and lived a sinless
life, that in His power His people might also live lives of sinlessness. He desires them
by practising the principles of truth to show to the world that God's grace has power to
sanctify the heart. RH DEC.14,1906
Divinity and humanity were united in Christ, that he might reveal to us God's purpose,
and bring man into close communion with himself. This union will enable us to overcome the
enemy; for through faith in Christ we shall have divine power. RH DEC.6,1892
When Christ came to our world, in him were combined divinity and humanity. In his
humanity he could lay hold of humanity; by virtue of his divinity he could bring power and
health and grace to mankind. Thus he would make men and women partakers of the divine
nature and able to escape the corruption that is in the world through lust.
To us is given the work of overcoming. This is no haphazard work. Only as we become
partakers of the divine nature can we overcome our hereditary and cultivated tendencies to
evil. We must be trained to understand and follow Bible principles; we must learn of
Christ the science of eating and drinking to the glory of God....
You remember the story of the woman who was healed by touching Christ's garment.... In
this experience there was a lesson Christ desired to impress on the throng about him.
Humanity had connected with divinity, and the blessing had been received.
Christ came to the earth to bring divinity to humanity. We need that divinity; young
and old need it. If you do not know anything about this power, I beseech you for Christ's
sake to seek for it. Endeavour to live a consistent life. Take hold of Christ by living,
active faith. Come to him just as you are, helpless and dependent, and say, "Lord, I
believe; help thou mine unbelief" [Mk. 9:24]. Help me to study thy life, thy self
denial and self sacrifice; help me to become a Christian in every sense of the word. RH
FEB.17,1910
His temptation and victory tell us that humanity must copy the Pattern; man must become
a partaker of the divine nature.
In Christ, divinity and humanity were combined. Divinity was not degraded to humanity;
divinity held its place, but humanity by being united to divinity, withstood the fiercest
test of temptation in the wilderness.... He withstood the temptation, through the power
that man may command. He laid hold on the throne of God, and there is not a man or woman
who may not have access to the same help through faith in God. Man may become a partaker
of the divine nature.... Christ came to reveal the Source of his power, that man might
never rely on his unaided human capabilities. Those who would overcome must put to the tax
every power of their being. They must agonise on their knees before God for divine power.
Christ came to be our example, and to make known to us that we may be partakers of the
divine nature. How?-By having escaped the corruptions that are in the world through
lust.... Christ, by his own example, made it evident that man may stand in integrity. Men
may have a power to resist evil-a power that neither earth, nor death, nor hell can
master; a power that will place them where they may overcome as Christ overcame. Divinity
and humanity may be combined in them. RH FEB.18,1890
The inhabitants of the heavenly universe expect the followers of Christ to shine as
lights in the world. They are to show forth the power of the grace that Christ died to
give to men.... They are to be men of faith, men of constant growth, men of courage,
whole-souled men, who without questioning trust in God and his promises....
His own power is small; but God is omnipotent, and God is his helper. Daily he is to
make known his wants at the throne of grace. By faith and trust, by availing himself of
the resources provided, he can be more than a conqueror.... RH FEB.18,1904
Few realise that it is a duty to exercise control over their thoughts and imaginations.
It is difficult to keep the undisciplined mind fixed upon profitable subjects.... Both the
intellectual and the moral powers must be disciplined, and they will strengthen and
improve by exercise.
To understand this matter aright, we must remember that our hearts are naturally
depraved, and we are unable, of ourselves, to pursue a right course. It is only by the
grace of God, combined with the most earnest efforts on our part, that we can gain the
victory. RH JAN.14,1881
[2 Tim 2:1-4 quoted.] The lessons contained in the words of Paul to Timothy are of the
greatest importance to us today. He charges him to `be strong' -in his own wisdom?- no,
but `in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.' He who would be a follower of Christ is not to
rely upon his own capabilities, or to feel confident in himself. Neither is he to be
dwarfed in his religious efforts, to shun responsibilities, and remain inefficient in the
cause of God. He is to draw strength from a sure and safe source, that never fails those
who would have divine power. The exhortation to us is, 'Be strong in the grace that is in
Christ Jesus.' If the Christian feels his weakness, his inability, by putting his trust in
God he will find the grace of Christ sufficient for every emergency....
[Jn 14:16-17A, 26 quoted.] God is omnipotent, and at every point where we need divine
help and seek for it in sincerity, it will be given. God has pledged his word that his
grace will be sufficient for you in your greatest necessity, in your sorest distress.
Christ will be to you a present help if you appropriate his grace.... [B]ut if he who
professes to follow Christ does not make it manifest that his motives are above those of
the world in this great contest where there is everything to win and everything to lose,
he will never be a victor. he is to make use of every entrusted power, that he may
overcome the world, the flesh, and the devil through the power of the Holy Spirit, by
grace abundantly provided that he shall not fail nor be discouraged, but be complete in
Christ, accepted in the Beloved. RH JUN.16,1896
He is to make use of every entrusted power, that he may overcome the world, the flesh,
and the devil through the power of the Holy Spirit, by grace abundantly provided that he
shall not fail nor be discouraged, but be complete in Christ, accepted in the Beloved. RH
JUN.16,1896
Religion must be made the great business of life. Everything else should be held
subordinate to this. All our power of soul, body, and spirit must be engaged in the
Christian warfare. We must look to Christ for strength and grace, and we shall gain the
victory as surely as Jesus died for us. RH MAY 03,1881
Why do you not cease from sin? You may overcome if you will co-operate with God.
Christ's promise is sure. He pledges himself to fill the office of personal Intercessor,
saying `I will pray the Father.' He who could not see human beings exposed to eternal ruin
without pouring out his soul unto death in their behalf, will look with pity and
compassion upon every one who realises that he cannot save himself....
[A.8] Oh, how weak is our faith, that we do not avail ourselves of the rich, glorious
promises of God! It is his nature to bestow his gifts upon us. All-wise and all-powerful,
he will give liberally to all who ask in faith. RH OCT.30,1900
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