Counseling Sheet

Agatha M. Thrash, M.D.
Preventive Medicine‍

Perception Influenced by Physical Habits‍

"Those who would have clear minds to discern Satan's devices must have their physical appetites under the control of reason and conscience. The moral and vigorous action of the higher powers of the mind are essential to the perfection of Christian character." Messages to Young People, pages 236-237‍

Self-indulgence Deadens Perceptive Faculties

"The world's Redeemer knew that indulgence of appetite was bringing physical debility and deadening the perceptive faculties so that sacred and eternal things could not be discerned. He knew that self-indulgence was perverting the moral powers, and that man's great need was conversion - in heart and mind and soul, from the life of self-indulgence to one of self-denial and self-sacrifice." Medical Ministry, page 264‍

Pride and Selfishness Becloud Perceptive Powers‍

"Pride, self-love, selfishness, hatred, envy, and jealousy have beclouded the perceptive powers." Testimonies, Vol. 2, page 605

‍Passions and Impure Thoughts Injure Perceptive Faculties‍

"The lower passions are to be strictly guarded. The perceptive faculties are abused, terribly abused, when the passions are allowed to run riot." Counsels on Health, page 587‍

Perceptions Dimmed by Wrong Use of Means‍

"Those who have made a wrong use of means dedicated to God will be required to give an account of their stewardship. Some have selfishly grasped means because of their love of gain. Others have not a tender conscience; it has become seared through long-cherished selfishness. They view sacred and eternal things from a low standpoint. Through their long continuance in a wrong course their moral sensibilities seem paralyzed. It seems impossible to elevate their views and feelings to the exalted standard clearly brought to view in the word of God." Testimonies, Vol. 2, page 519‍

Perception Poisoned through Criticism and Accusation‍

"To accuse and criticize those whom God is using is to accuse and criticize the Lord who has sent them.... The prejudices and opinions that prevailed at Minneapolis are not dead by any means; the seeds sown there in some hearts are ready to spring into life and bear a like harvest. The tops have been cut down, but the roots have never been eradicated, and they still bear their unholy fruit to poison the judgment, pervert the perceptions, and blind the understanding of those with whom you connect, in regard to the message and the messengers!" Testimonies to Ministers, pages 466-467