Guarding the avenues of the soul

“Selfishness girds many about as with iron bands. It is “my farm,” “my trade,” “my merchandise.”
Even the claims of common humanity are disregarded by them. Men and women professing to be waiting and loving the appearing of their Lord are shut up to self. The noble, the godlike, they have parted with. The love of the world, the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, the pride of life, have so fastened upon them that they are blinded. They are corrupted by the world and discern it not.” They talk of love to God, but their fruits show not the love they express.” 2T, p. 197.

“This age is one of peculiar temptation, especially to the self-sufficient ones, who feel no special need of guarding the avenues of the soul. Unless they heed the warnings God has given, they will most surely be drawn away from the principles of the truth. They will stand among those who dishonour the faith by giving heed to seducing spirits. They plead for the indulgence of appetite. They take no delight in contemplating the character of the Saviour. The rebuke of Christ is upon them, because in thought and action they are corrupt.” RH, 12-04-00, par. 9.

Ephesians 6:13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
6:14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness.
6:15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace.
6:16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
6:17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
6:18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

“Complete Armour Essential – God wants every one to stand with the whole armour on, ready for the great review.

“The Breastplate of Righteousness – We must put on every piece of the armour, and then stand firm. The Lord has honoured us by choosing us as His soldiers. Let us fight bravely for Him, maintaining the right in every transaction. Rectitude in all things is essential to the welfare of the soul. As you strive for the victory over your own inclinations, He will help you by His Holy Spirit to be circumspect in every action, that you may give no occasion for the enemy to speak evil of the truth. Put on as your breastplate that divinely protected righteousness, which it is the privilege of all to wear. This will protect your spiritual life.

“Angels Near to Protect us – If we have on the heavenly armour, we shall find that the assaults of the enemy will not have power over us. Angels of God will be round about us to protect us.” 6BC, p. 1119.

“When thinking on the conflict, Paul writes to his Ephesian brethren exhorting them to “be strong,” not feeble, not wavering, tossed to and fro like the waves of the sea. But in what are they to be strong? In their own might? No, “Be strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might.” He says, “Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” Eph. 6:10-13.” HP259.

“The apostle sought to teach the believers how important it is to keep the mind from wandering to forbidden themes or from spending its energies on trifling subjects. Those who would not fall a prey to Satan’s devices, must guard well the avenues of the soul; they must avoid reading, seeing, or hearing that which will suggest impure thoughts. The mind must not be left to dwell at random upon every subject that the enemy of souls may suggest.” AA, p. 518.

“How Satan Gains Entrance to the Soul. – All should guard the senses, lest Satan gain victory over them; for these are the avenues of the soul.

“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 “Satan and his angels are busy creating a paralysed condition of the sense so that cautions, warnings, and reproofs shall not be heard; or, if heard, that they shall not take effect upon the heart and reform the life.” AH, p. 401.

“The Holy Spirit loves to address the youth, and to discover to them the treasures and beauties of God’s word. The promises spoken by the great Teacher will captivate the sense and animate the soul with spiritual power that is divine. There will grow in the fruitful mind a familiarity with divine things that will be as a barricade against temptation.” COL, p. 132.

“I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes: I hate the word of them that turn aside; it shall not cleave to me.” Psalm 101:3.

“All should guard the senses, lest Satan gain victory over them; for these are the avenues to the soul. Avoid reading and seeing things which will suggest impure thoughts. Cultivate the moral and intellectual powers.

“Among the most dangerous reports of pleasure is the theatre. Instead of being a school of morality and virtue, as is so often claimed, it is the very hotbed of immorality. Vicious habits and sinful propensities are strengthened and confirmed by these entertainments. Low songs, lewd gestures, expressions, and attitudes deprave the imagination and debase the morals. Every youth who habitually attends such exhibitions will be corrupted in principle. There is no influence in our land more powerful to poison the imagination, to destroy religious impressions, and to blunt the relish for the tranquil pleasures and sober realities of life than theatrical amusements.

“The love for these scenes increases with every indulgence, as the desire for intoxicating drink strengthens with its use. The only safe course is to shun the theatre, the circus, and every other questionable place of amusement.” ML, p. 86.

“Nothing is more treacherous than the deceitfulness of sin. It is the god of this world that deludes, and blinds, and leads to destruction. Satan does not enter with his array of temptations at once. He disguises these temptations with a semblance of good. He mingles with amusements and folly some little improvements, and deceived souls make it an excuse that great good is to be derived by engaging in them. This is only the deceptive part. It is Satan’s hellish arts masked. Beguiled souls take one step, then are prepared for the next. It is so much more pleasant to follow the inclinations of their own hearts than to stand on the defensive, and resist the first insinuations of the wily foe, and thus shut out his incomings.

Oh, how Satan watches to see his bait taken so readily, and to see souls walking in the very path he has prepared! He does not want them to give up praying and maintaining a form of religious duties; for he can thus make them more useful in his service. He unites his sophistry and deceptive snares with their experiences and professions, and thus wonderfully advances his cause.” MYP, p. 83.2

“There are many who do not understand the conflict that is going on between Christ and Satan over the souls of men. They do not realize that if they would stand under the blood-stained banner of Prince Emmanuel they must be willing to be partakers of His conflicts and wage a determined war against the powers of darkness.” HP, p. 259.2

For Satan to try to ensnare a soul he must first gain access to one’s soul. The five senses of the Human body; sight, smell, hearing, taste and touch are the channels through which Satan can beset an individual and cause him/her to stumble. Influences such as an appetite for unhealthy foods, modern music, television and competitive sports lower our physical, mental and moral powers and must be shunned at all costs. If these idols are not cast out it will be impossible for our Lord Jesus to reign supreme in our every day lives.

“For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world [even] our faith.” John 5:4.

“Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.” Romans 12:21.

“Fear thou not; for I [am] with thee: be not dismayed; for I [am] thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.” Isaiah 41:10.

Markus Dammasch,
Australia