THE BATTLEFIELD Part 1

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Holy Communion/Seminar Sabbath, DeKUSDA
Series Presentation,
By Abonyo Fredrick
On 27th and 28th September, 2013.
GEN 2:1617, 3:1,
6:5
HOSEA 4:6
EX 20:117
REV
14:12,
22:14
The Mind-CITADEL- A stronghold
into which people could go for
shelter during a battle.
PSL 1:1-2 “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.”
EPH 6:10-13 “Finally, my brethren, be strong in
the Lord, and in the power of his might. 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].
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.”
MATT 22:37 “Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love
the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with
all thy soul, and with all thy mind.”
Satan wants to control our
minds through our bodies;
Jesus longs to control our
bodies through our minds. Our
bodies are a temple, not a
funhouse. By following
heaven’s principles, we can live
more joy-filled, productive,
abundant, healthy lives.
1. The Capital of the Body.--Every organ of the
body was made to be servant to the mind. The
mind is the capital of the body.--3T 136 (1872).
The mind controls the whole man. All our actions,
good or bad, have their source in the mind. It is
the mind that worships God and allies us to
heavenly beings. Yet many spend all their lives
without becoming intelligent in regard to the
casket [jewel case] that contains this treasure.{1MCP 72.2} JOB 31:1
2. Brain Controls the Body
The brain nerves which
communicate with the
entire system are the only
medium through which
Heaven can communicate
to man and affect his
inmost life.--2T 347 (1870).
Satan Strikes at the Perceptive
Faculties.
Satan comes to man with his
temptations as an angel of
light, as he came to Christ.
2 COR 11:14 “And no marvel;
for Satan himself is transformed
into an angel of light.”
He has been working to bring man
into a condition of physical and
moral weakness that he may
overcome him with his
temptations and then triumph
over his ruin.
If the perceptive faculties become
benumbed through
intemperance of any kind,
eternal things are not discerned.
Guarding the Citadel
All should feel the necessity of
keeping the moral nature
braced by constant
watchfulness. Like faithful
sentinels, they should guard
the citadel of the soul, never
feeling that they may relax.
The Unguarded Citadel.
By beholding we become changed.
Though formed in the image of his
Maker, man can so educate his
mind that sin which he once
loathed will become pleasant to
him. As he ceases to watch and
pray, he ceases to guard the citadel,
the heart, and engages in sin and
crime.
The mind is debased, and it is impossible to
elevate it from corruption while it is being
educated to enslave the moral and intellectual
powers and bring them in subjection to grosser
passions. Constant war against the carnal mind
must be maintained; and we must be aided by
the refining influence of the grace of God,
which will attract the mind upward and
habituate it to meditate upon pure and holy
things.--2T 479 (1870).
Tobacco
Tobacco, in whatever form it is used, tells
upon the constitution. It is a slow
poison. It affects the brain and
benumbs the sensibilities so that the
mind cannot clearly discern spiritual
things, especially those truths which
would have a tendency to correct this
filthy indulgence. {1MCP 75.3}
1.
Those who use tobacco in
any form are not clear
before God. In such a filthy
practice it is impossible for
them to glorify God in their
bodies and spirits, which
are His.
1 Cor 10:31 “Whether therefore ye eat or drink, or whatever ye do,
do all to the glory of God”
2. Slaves to Alcohol and Drugs.--On
every side Satan seeks to entice the
youth into the path of perdition; and if
he can once get their feet set in the
way, he hurries them on in their
downward course, leading them
from one dissipation to another, until
his victims lose their tenderness of
conscience and have no more the fear
of God before their eyes. PROV
23:32-31, 31:4-6, 21:17, 20:1
3. Satan's Weapons.--The indulgence
of fleshly lusts wars against the soul
AND WEAKEN MENTAL
FACULTIES.
The apostle in the most impressive
manner, addresses Christians, "I
beseech you therefore, brethren, by
the mercies of God, that ye present
your bodies a living sacrifice, holy,
acceptable unto God" (Romans 12:1).
GAL 5:19-21
4. LITERATURE
Character Revealed by Choice of Reading.
The nature of one's religious
experience is revealed by
the character of the books
one chooses to read in one's
leisure moments.
Those whose imagination has not
become perverted by the reading of
fiction will find the Bible the most
interesting of books.- {1MCP 108.2}
" And ye are complete in him, which is
the head of all principality and power"
(Colossians 2:10)-OUR CHARACTER
SHOULD ALWAYS REFLECT THAT
COMPLETENESS! Lk 4:16
Books That Enfeeble the Mind.
Love stories and frivolous, exciting tales constitute
another class of books that is a curse to every reader.
The author may attach a good moral and all
through his work may weave religious
sentiments, yet in most cases Satan is but
clothed in angel robes the more effectually to
deceive and allure. The mind is affected in a
great degree by that upon which it feeds. The
mind is enfeebled and loses its power to
contemplate the great problems of duty and
destiny.--7T 165.1 (1902).
5. Excessive Indulgence That Is Sin.-Excessive indulgence in eating,
drinking, sleeping, or seeing is sin. The
harmonious healthy action of all the
powers of body and mind results in
happiness. . . . The powers of the mind
should be exercised upon themes
relating to our eternal interests. This
will be conducive to health of body
and mind.--4T 417 (1880). {1MCP
112.1} LUKE 17:26-29
6. Overtaxing the Mind.--The student who desires to
put the work of two years into one should not be
permitted to have his own way. To undertake to
do double work means, with many, overtaxation
of the mind and neglect of physical exercise. It is
not reasonable to suppose that the mind can
assimilate an oversupply of mental food; and it is
as great a sin to overload the mind as it is to
overload the digestive organs.--CT 296 (1913).
{1MCP 112.2}
7. Some Associations ARE Like a Slow
Poison.-- If children are with those whose
conversation is upon unimportant, earthly
things, their minds will come to the same level.
If they hear the principles of religion
slurred and our faith belittled, if sly[Marked by
skill in deception] objections to the truth are
dropped in their hearing, these things will
fasten in their minds and mold their
characters. {1MCP 114.1}
1 COR 15:33 “Be not deceived: evil
communications corrupt good manners.”
8. Ease, Self-indulgence, Security--Traitors
Within the Walls.--It was when the Israelites
were in a condition of outward ease and
security that they were led into sin. They
failed to keep God ever before them, they
neglected prayer and cherished a spirit of
self-confidence. Ease and self-indulgence left
the citadel of the soul unguarded, and
debasing thoughts found entrance. It was the
traitors within the walls that overthrew the
strongholds of principle and betrayed Israel
into the power of Satan.{1MCP 75.1} EX 32:16
By beholding we become
changed. By the indulgence
of impure thoughts man
can so educate his mind
that sin which he once
loathed will become
pleasant to him.--PP 459
(1890).
9. Prejudice Bars Enlightenment.--Those who allow
prejudice to bar the mind against the reception of
truth cannot receive the divine enlightenment.
Yet, when a view of Scripture is presented, many
do not ask, Is it true--in harmony with God's
word? but, By whom is it advocated? And unless
it comes through the very channel that pleases
them, they do not accept it. So thoroughly
satisfied are they with their own ideas that they
will not examine the Scripture evidence with a
desire to learn, but refuse to be interested, merely
because of their prejudices.--GW 125, 126 (1893).
(TM 105, 106.) {2MCP 422.1}
FOR GOD TO USE US, HE MUST PROVE US
WORTHY OF SERVING HIM. OUR POWERS
OF THE MIND MUST BE QUICKENED. WE
MUST PERFECT THE ART AND SCIENCE
OF MEDITATING UPON THE LAW OF THE
LORD DAY AND NIGHT. OUR SPIRITS MUST
BE LIFTED BY THE SWEET HYMNS
LEADING US HEAVENWARD. WE MUST
COMMIT THE WORD OF THE LORD TO
MEMORY, AND DO THEM. WE MUST
NEVER NEGLECT PRAYER FOR IT KEEPS
US AWAKE.
THE BATTLEFIELD
“THOSE WHO WOULD HAVE WISDOM , WHICH IS
FROM GOD, MUST BECOME FOOLS IN THE SINFUL
KNOWLEDGE OF THIS AGE, IN ORDER TO BE WISE.
THEY SHOULD SHUT THEIR EYES, THAT THEY MAY
SEE AND LEARN NO EVIL. THEY SHOULD CLOSE
THEIR EARS, LEST THEY HEAR THAT WHICH IS
EVIL AND OBTAIN THE KNOWLEDGE WHICH
WOULD STAIN THEIR PURITY OF THOUGHTS AND
ACTS. AND THEY SHOULD GUARD THEIR
TONGUES, LEST THEY UTTER CORRUPT
COMMUNICATIONS, AND GUILE BE FOUND IN
THEIR MOUTHS.”- A SOLEMN APPEAL, PAGE 78.
Presented at DeKUSDA Church
Holy Communion/Seminar Sabbath
On Friday Vespers (27th September,
2013)
By Abonyo Fredrick
[email protected]
(0713801252)
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Holy Communion/Seminar Sabbath, DeKUSDA
Series Presentation,
By Abonyo Fredrick
On 27th and 28th September, 2013.
GEN 2:1617, 3:1,
6:5
HOSEA 4:6
EX 20:117
REV
14:12,
22:14
The Mind-CITADEL- A stronghold
into which people could go for
shelter during a battle.
PSL 1:1-2 “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.”
The Fruitage of Spiritual Life.-Spiritual life yields to its
possessor that which all the
world is seeking but which can
never be obtained without an
entire surrender to God.--Lt
121, 1904. {2MCP 404.1}
Man Created With Perfectly Balanced
Mind.--The Lord made man upright in
the beginning. He was created with a
perfectly balanced mind, the size and
strength of all its organs being perfectly
developed. Adam was a perfect type of
man. Every quality of mind was well
proportioned, each having a distinctive
office, and yet all dependent one upon
another for the full and proper use of
any one of them.--3T 72 (1872).
Mind Has Power of Choice.--God has given
us the power of choice; it is ours to
exercise. We cannot change our hearts, we
cannot control our thoughts, our impulses,
our affections. We cannot make ourselves
pure, fit for God's service. But we can
choose to serve God, we can give Him our
will; then He will work in us to will and to
do according to His good pleasure. Thus
our whole nature will be brought under the
control of Christ.--MH 176 (1905).
Man a Free Moral Agent.--To stir
up rebellion in the fallen race, he
[Satan] now represented God as
unjust in having permitted man
to transgress His law. "Why," said
the artful tempter, "when God
knew what would be the result,
did He permit man to be placed
on trial, to sin, and bring in
misery and death?" ... {2MCP
420.3}
Present Affects Future
Decisions.--Your
entire future will be
influenced for good or
for evil by the path you
now choose.--Lt 41,
1891. {2MCP 421.2}
IN CHOOSING RIGHT, THEN OUR
MENTAL FACULTIES MUST BE
STRENGTHENED
1.
Body, Mind, and Soul Benefit From
Communion With God
Whatever line of investigation we pursue, with a
sincere purpose to arrive at truth, we are
brought in touch with the unseen, mighty
Intelligence that is working in and through all.
The mind of man is brought into communion
with the mind of God, the finite with the
Infinite. The effect of such communion on
body and mind and soul is beyond estimate.-Ed 14 (1903). {2MCP 404.2}
2. Love for God Essential for Health.--God is the
great caretaker of the human machinery. In the
care of our bodies we must cooperate with Him.
Love for God is essential for life and health.-{2MCP 404.3}
Love for Redeemer Clears Away Miasma.--The
mind is befogged by sensual malaria. The
thoughts need purifying. What might not men and
women have been had they realized that the
treatment of the body has everything to do with the
vigor and purity of mind and heart. {2MCP 412.2}
3. Health of Body Important to Health of
Soul.--God would be recognized as the
Author of our being. That life He has given
us is not to be trifled with. Recklessness in
the bodily habits reveals a recklessness
of moral character. The health of the body
is to be regarded as essential for the
advancement of growth in grace, an even
temper.--MS 113, 1898. {2MCP 405.1} 1
COR 6:20 “For ye are bought with a price:
therefore glorify God in your body, and in
your spirit, which are God's.”
4. Good Deeds Promote Health.--Good deeds are
twice a blessing, benefiting both the giver and the
receiver of the kindness. The consciousness of
rightdoing is one of the best medicines for diseased
bodies and minds. When the mind is free and
happy from a sense of duty well done and the
satisfaction of giving happiness to others, the
cheering, uplifting influence brings new life to the
whole being.--MH 257 (1905). {2MCP 405.2}
Rightdoing Is Best Medicine.--The consciousness
of rightdoing is the best medicine for diseased
bodies and minds. The special blessing of God
resting upon the receiver is health and strength. A
person whose mind is quiet and satisfied in God is
in the pathway to health. . . . {2MCP 407.4}
5. Truth Has Soothing Power.--The soothing
power of pure truth seen, acted, and
maintained in all its bearings is of a value no
language can express to people who are
suffering with disease. Keep ever before the
suffering sick the compassion and tenderness of
Christ, and awaken their conscience to a belief
in His power to relieve suffering, and lead them
to faith and trust in Him, the Great Healer, and
you have gained a soul and ofttimes a life.
{2MCP 409.2} JOHN 8:32 “And ye shall know
the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”
6. Christ Illumines the Mind.--The
physician is never to lead his
patients to fix their attention on
him. He is to teach them to grasp
with the trembling hand of faith
the outstretched hand of the
Saviour. Then the mind will be
illuminated with the light radiating
from the Light of the world.-{2MCP 409.1}
7. Disciplined Minds Have Increased Powers of
Retention.--Habits of negligence should be
resolutely overcome. Many think it a sufficient
excuse for the grossest errors to plead
forgetfulness. But do they not, as well as
others, possess intellectual faculties? Then they
should discipline their minds to be retentive. It
is a sin to forget, a sin to be negligent. If you
form a habit of negligence, you may neglect
your own soul's salvation and at last find that
you are unready for the kingdom of God.--COL
358, 359 (1900).
8. Healthful Food for the Mind.-Pure healthful reading will be
to the mind what healthful food
is to the body. You will thus
become stronger to resist
temptation, to form right habits,
and to act upon right
principles.--RH, Dec 26, 1882.
(SD 178.) {1MCP 107.2}
DO YOU EAT
POISONED FOOD JUST BCOZ UR HUNGRY?
Some literature we read feed our
minds with Fiction and Sensual
Thoughts.--The mental food for
which he [the fiction reader] has
acquired a relish is contaminating
in its effects, and leads to impure
and sensual{ Sexually exciting or gratifying}
thoughts. (MYP 280.)
9. Guard the Avenues of the Soul.--We have a work
to do to resist temptation. 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. {1MCP 107.3} The mind should not be
left to wander at random upon every subject that
the adversary of souls may suggest. " Wherefore
gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope
to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto
you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; As obedient
children, not fashioning yourselves according to
the former lusts in your ignorance: But as he which
hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner
of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy;
for I am holy. (1 Peter 1:13-16). {1MCP 107.4}
Says Paul, "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" (Philippians 4:8).
This will require earnest prayer and unceasing
watchfulness. We must be aided by the abiding
influence of the Holy Spirit, which will attract
the mind upward, and habituate it to dwell on
pure and holy things. And we must give diligent
study to the Word of God. "Wherewithal shall a
young man cleanse his way? By taking heed
thereto according to Thy Word." "Thy Word,"
says the psalmist, "have I hid in mine heart,
that I might not sin against Thee" (Psalm 119:9,
11).--PP 460 (1890). {1MCP 108.1}
The Mind Rightly Trained Wavers Not.--The mind
must be trained through daily tests to habits of
fidelity, to a sense of the claims of right and duty
above inclination and pleasure. Minds thus
trained do not waver between right and wrong,
as the reed trembles in the wind; but as soon as
matters come before them, they discern at once
that principle is involved, and they instinctively
choose the right without long debating the
matter. They are loyal because they have trained
themselves in habits of faithfulness and truth.-3T 22 (1872). {1MCP 74.1}
JAMES 1:6 “But let
him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that
wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with
the wind and tossed.”

We are not to be tattlers, or gossipers,
or talebearers; we are not to bear false
witness. We are forbidden by God to
engage in trifling, foolish conversation,
in jesting, joking, or speaking any idle
words. We must give an account of
what we say to God. We will be
brought into judgment for our hasty
words that do no good to the speaker
or to the hearer.
 MATT
12:36-37 “But I say
unto you, That every idle
word that men shall speak,
they shall give account
thereof in the day of
judgment. For by thy words
thou shalt be justified, and
by thy words thou shalt be
condemned.”
WE MUST SURRENDER OUR
ARROGANCE, PRIDE,
NEGLIGENCE AND
INDIFFERENCE AND CULTIVATE
ASSIDUOUSLY THE ART OF
LOVING GOD SUPRIMELY. Christ
wants to purify our minds so that
we may have the mind he had.
PHIL 2:5 “Let this mind be in you,
which was also in Christ Jesus.”
But He won’t force His way in. REV 3:20 “Behold, I stand
at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and
open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup
with him, and he with me.” He wants to revive us so
that we may keep watch and never slumber. So that
we may fight the good fight of faith and like Paul
finish the race and keep the faith. So that we may
commit his Word to memory and like the Waldenses
take the Bible only to be our rule of faith and code of
conduct. So that we may be a class of people that is
dedicated to demonstrating Nehemiah’s leadership,
Daniel’s integrity, Mary’s humility, Paul’s passion for
evangelism and Christ’s love for God and for
humanity. IT ALL HAPPENS IN THE MIND-THE
BATTLEFIELD BETWEEN GOOD AND EVIL,
BETWEEN THE KINGDOM OF LIGHT AND THAT OF
DARKNESS. Between Jesus Christ and Satan.
“HIGHER THAN THE HIGHEST
HUMAN THOUGHTS CAN
REACH IS GOD’S IDEAL FOR
HIS CHILDREN”- Ed.18.3
REVELATION 22:21 “The grace
of our Lord Jesus Christ [be]
with you all. Amen.”
Presented at DeKUSDA Church
Holy Communion/Seminar Sabbath
Pre-Sermon Seminar (28th September,
2013)
By Abonyo Fredrick
[email protected]
(0713801252)