Propensity/Propensities

(The writer has added all words in brackets)

Propensity
*Webster’s Dictionary Inclination, bent
*Webster’s Thesaurus

SYN
Leaning, proneness, trend, drift, aim, inclination, predisposition, proclivity (Web. Diet-proclivity, inclination, tendency, (Latin,-downward, slope)
*New Webster Encyclopedic Diet. Propensity-bent of mind, natural or acquired; natural tendency or disposition, particularly to evil, -predisposition: the state of being previously disposed toward something; previous inclination or tendency; previous fitness or adaptation to any change, impression or purpose, -tendency: an inclining or contributing influence, aptness to take a certain course, effect of giving a certain bent or direction.
-inclination: the act of leaning or bending; deviation from the direction regarded as the normal one; a disposition more favourable to one thing or person than to another; propensity, -proclivity: inclination, proneness, propensity, tendency, readiness.
*Webster’s Thesaurus

ANT
Disinclination, aversion, deviation

*NWED
-disinclination: to excite slight aversion in; to make unwilling; to cause to hang back; to alienate.
-aversion: opposition or repugnance of mind; dislike; disinclination; reluctance; hatred; the cause of dislike; the object of repugnance.

-*NWED
Habit-the ordinary state of the body, either natural or acquired: tendency or capacity resulting from frequent repetition of the same act/s: a characteristic item of behaviour.
• to have a propensity is to have a tendency/inclination toward something, usually evil or undesirable.
• to have a propensity is to have either learned through habit a particular way/character trait or to have had a hereditary tendency (natural) toward a particular way or character trait.
• propensities are acts (habits) which are inclined or bent a particular way, usually evil or undesirable.
• propensities are either natural acts/ habits (hereditary tendency) or acquired acts/habits (learned)
• propensity/propensities have to be acted upon for it/them to be owned.
Examples of usage of the word “propensity/propensities” from the Spirit of Prophecy. (The liberty has been taken to decide what descriptive word to use with each of the examples of the word propensity or propensities. You may agree or disagree, and if an error has been made by the writer, please forgive.)
‘The tables of our American people are generally prepared in a manner to make drunkards. Appetite is the ruling principle with a large class. Whoever will indulge appetite in eating too often, and food not of a healthful quality, is weakening his power to resist the clamors of appetite and passion in other respects hi proportion as he has strengthened the propensity (bent) to incorrect habits of eating.” Child Guidance 403.1
‘”I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy deviation: out of the common way or track; going astray.

“Some fail of success because they trust to the strength of argument alone, and do not cry earnestly to God for His wisdom to direct them and His grace to sanctify their efforts. Long discourses and tedious prayers are positively injurious to a religious interest, and fail to carry conviction to the consciences of the people. This propensity (habit-long speeches/tedious prayers) for speech making frequently dampens a religious interest that might have produced great results.” Gospel Workers 92 71.1

Page 52 Image Worship—’The worship of images… was one of those corruptions of Christianity which crept into the church stealthily and almost without notice or observation. This corruption did not, like other heresies, develop itself at once, for in that case it would have met with decided censure and rebuke; but, making its commencement under a fair disguise, so gradually was one practice after another introduced hi connection with it, that the church had become deeply steeped in practical idolatry, not only without any efficient opposition, but almost without any decided remonstrance; and when at length an endeavour was made to root it out, the evil was found too deeply fixed to admit of removal… it must be traced to the idolatrous tendency of the human heart, and its propensity (bent) to serve the creature more than the Creator.” Great Controversy 680.1 “If the body is saturated with liquor and the defilement of tobacco, it is not holy and acceptable to God. Satan knows that it cannot be, and for this reason he brings his temptations to bear upon men upon the point of appetite, that he may bring them into bondage to this propensity (habit) and thus work their ruin.” RH, Sept. 8,1874. 1 Mind, Character & Personality 76.2

“Satan has taken possession of his mind, and exciting his organ of acquisitiveness, has made him insane upon this subject, the higher, nobler powers of his being have been brought very much into subjection to this close, selfish propensity (inclination, habit).” 2 Mind, Character & Personality 594.1
“He must train his mind to good works. He must brace against his propensity (inclination, bent, and tendency) to acquire. He must weave good works into all his life. He must cultivate a love for doing good and get above the little, penurious spirit, which he has fostered.” 2T 237,238 (1869). 2 MCP 594.3

“The world, angels, and men look upon you as a sharper, as a man who is studying his own interest and securing advantages to himself without looking carefully and conscientiously after the interest of those with whom he deals. In your business life there is a vein of dishonesty that tarnishes the soul and dwarfs religious experience and growth in grace. You are watching with keen business eye the best chance to secure a bargain. This scheming propensity (tendency) has become second nature with you, and you do not see and realize the evil of encouraging it.” Publishing Ministry 330.2

Propensity to evil… the temptation is not the sin…
James 1:12 Blessed [is] the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love Him.

1:13 Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth He any man.
1:14 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.
1:15 Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.
“Lust” here spoken of is “passionate desire”–Web. Diet.
The temptation is not the sin. It is when the temptation becomes a passionate desire and allures, or attracts or entraps adroitly (skillfully, expertly, cleverly) or entices to an act, or lingering though. So the lust has been conceived and it brings forth sin, and sin, eventually death (wages).

Speaking of Jesus…

(Ch. 14:30; Luke 1:31-35; 1 Cor. 15:22; Heb. 4:15). Be careful, exceedingly careful as to how you dwell upon the human nature of Christ. Do not set Him before the people as a man with the propensities of sin (tendency of sin, inclinations of sin, bent toward sin, habits of sin). He is the second Adam. The first Adam was created a pure, sinless being, without a taint of sin upon him; he was in the image of God. He could fall, and he did fall through transgressing. Because of sin his posterity (NWED-descendents; the race that proceeds from a progenitor; succeeding generations) was born with inherent propensities (inherited propensities of evil) of disobedience. But Jesus Christ was the only begotten Son of God. He took upon Himself human nature (with its inherent propensities) and was tempted in all points as human nature is tempted. He could have sinned; He could have fallen, but not for one moment was there in Him an evil propensity (inclination, tendency, bent, proclivity, predisposition). He was assailed with temptations in the wilderness, as Adam was assailed with temptations in Eden. 5 Bible Commentary 1128.4

“He is a brother in our infirmities, but not in possessing like passions. As the sinless One, His nature recoiled from (possessed an aversion to) evil. He endured struggles and torture of soul in a world of sin. His humanity made prayer a necessity and privilege.” The Faith I Live By 49.3

He could have sinned; He could have fallen, but not for one moment was there in Him an evil propensity (evil habit, inclination, proclivity, bent, tendency).
In taking upon Himself man’s nature in its fallen condition, Christ did not in the least participate in its sin. He was subject to the infirmities and weaknesses by which man in encompassed… He was touched with the feeling of our infirmities, and was in all points tempted like as we are. And yet He “knew no sin.” He was the Lamb “without blemish and without spot.”

“In taking upon Himself man’s nature in its fallen condition, Christ did not in the least participate in its sin.” (He had man’s fallen nature but did not own any evil propensities).
‘The Son of God, who is the express image of the Father’s person, became man’s Advocate and Redeemer. He humbled Himself in taking the nature of man in his fallen condition, but He did not take the taint of sin.” Ms 93, 1893, p.3. 17MR, 24.2
“Christ stooped to take man’s nature that He might reveal God’s sentiments toward the fallen race. Divinity and humanity combined were brought within the reach of all, that fallen man might reveal the image of God. Christ assumed our nature to counterwork Satan’s false principles.” Ms 43,1897, pp.2,3. 17MR24.4

“By overcoming in man’s behalf, He [Christ] was placing fallen man on vantage ground with God. In His human nature Jesus gave evidence that in every temptation wherewith Satan shall assail fallen man, there is help for him in God, if he will take hold of His strength, and through obedience make peace with Him. Jesus stood forth in human nature a conqueror (He controlled the fallen nature he had taken. The thought is not sin but lingering on it is the sin. He did not take the taint of sin. He learned obedience through the things He suffered. There was not for one moment in Him an evil propensity.) in behalf of the fallen race.” Ms 49,1897, p. 9. 17MR, 24.5
“As the world’s Redeemer, He [Christ] understands all the experiences that humanity must pass through.” Ms 128, 1897, p. 11

“In itself the act of consenting to be a man would be no act of humiliation were it not for the fact of Christ’s exalted preexistence, and the fallen condition of man. But when we open our understanding to realize that hi taking humanity upon Him, Christ laid aside His royal robe, His kingly crown, His high command, and clothed His divinity with humanity, that He might meet man where he was, and bring to the human family moral power to become the sons and daughters of God, [we begin to understand the magnitude of the Incarnation].” Ms 67, 1898, pp. 4,5. 17MR25.1
“He [Christ] had clothed His divinity with humanity, and in every period of His life, through infancy, childhood, youth, and manhood, He had suffered every phase of trial and temptation with which humanity is beset.” Ms 35, 1895, p.l. 17MR25.2

“When Jesus would uplift men to become members of the heavenly family, He humbled Himself to become a member of the earthly family, and by partaking of our nature He became the Son of man, the Son of Adam, and a Brother to every son and daughter of our fallen race.” Ms 58, 1896, p.4. 17MR 25.3

“What a sight was this for heaven to look upon. Christ, who knew not the least moral taint or defilement of sin, took our nature in its deteriorated condition.” 17MR25.4
“By taking upon Himself man’s nature in its fallen condition Christ did not in the least participate in its sin. He was subject to the infirmities and weaknesses of the flesh with which humanity is encompassed, ‘that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying, Himself took our infirmities, and bare our sicknesses.’ [Matt. 8:17] He was touched with the feeling of our infirmities, and was in all points tempted like as we are. And yet He was without a spot.” 17MR 25.5

‘There should not be the faintest misgiving hi regard to the perfect freedom from sinfulness in the human nature of Christ.” Ms 143, 1897, pp. 1,3. 17MR 26.1
“The heavenly universe were amazed at such patience, such inexpressible love. To save fallen humanity, the Son of God took humanity upon Him, laying aside His kingly crown and royal robe. He became poor, that we through His poverty might be made rich. One with God, He alone was capable of accomplishing this work, and He consented to an actual union with man. In His sinlessness, He could bear every transgression. 17MR26.2

This love was manifested, but it cannot be comprehended by mortal man. It is a mystery too deep for the human mind to fathom. Christ did in reality unite the offending nature of man with His own sinless nature, because by this act of condescension, He would be enabled to pour out His blood in behalf of the fallen race. Ms 166, 1898, pp. 9,10. 17MR 26.3

As for us…
We need not retain one sinful propensity (habit, tendency, inclination, proclivity, bent) … “As we partake of the divine nature, hereditary and cultivated tendencies to wrong are cut away from the character, and we are made a living power for good. Ever learning of the divine Teacher, daily partaking of His nature, we cooperate with God in overcoming Satan’s temptations.” The Faith I Live By 23.4

Brother G. (Is Sis. White talking to some of us?) it will be uphill work for you to cultivate pure, unselfish love and disinterested benevolence. You have not much experience hi yielding your opinions and ideas, and in sometimes giving up your own judgment and being guided by the counsel of others. Brother and Sister G., you both need to have less of self and more of the grace of God. You both need to acquire a habit of self-government, that your thoughts may be brought into subjection to the Spirit of Christ. It is the grace of God that you need in order that your thoughts may be disciplined to flow in the right channel, that the words you utter may be right words, and that you passions and appetites may be subject to the control of reason, and the tongue be bridled against levity and unhallowed censure and faultfinding. ‘If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able to bridle the whole body.’ The greatest triumph given us by the religion of Christ is control over ourselves. Our natural propensities must be controlled, or we can never overcome as Christ overcame.” 4T 235.1

(Christ overcame his natural propensities. This is how He overcame and how we must overcome.)
2 Corinthians 10:3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh.
10:4 (For the weapons of our warfare [are] not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds;)
10:5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;

10:6 And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled.
“We are labourers together with God.” “He provides us with all the facilities, all the spiritual weapons necessary for the pulling down of Satan’s strongholds.” Letter 105, 1893.
Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God [is] quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and [is] a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
4:13 Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things [are] naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.

4:14 Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast [our] profession.
4:15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as [we are, yet] without sin.
4:16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
Oh! What manner of love!
John 3:14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up:
3:-15 That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life, 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
3:17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
3:18 He that believeth on him is not condemned; be he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

3:19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.

3:20 For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.
3:21 But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God
Let us lift Jesus up NOW, for when He is hid from us, (Jacob’s time of trouble) we will need to know the doctrine and Him crucified.

John 12:32 And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all [men] unto me 12:33 This he said, signifying what death he should die.
12:34 The people answered him, We have heard out of the law that Christ abideth for ever: and how sayest thou, The Son of man must be lifted up?

Who is this Son of man?
12:35 Then Jesus said unto them, Yet a little while is the light with you. Walk while ye have the light, lest darkness come upon you: for he that walketh in darkness knoweth not whither he goeth.
12:36 While ye have light, believe in the light, that he may be the children of light. These things spake Jesus, and departed, and did hide himself from them.

God bless us and give us His strength to serve Him,