Living by Principle

Let the youth take the Bible as their guide, and stand like a rock for principle, and they can aspire to any height of attainment.—Signs of the Times, March 4, 1889. PH048 3.1

Joshua 1:8: This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success. [The Bible texts have been supplied by the compiler.] PH048 3.2

God's ... workers are called upon to remember that they cannot drift along with unsettled principles which are warped and distorted by impulse, without misrepresenting the truth which they profess, and doing a lasting injury to their own souls.—Special Testimonies, Series A 7:41. PH048 3.3

2 Samuel 12:14: Howbeit, because by this deed thou hast given great occasion to the enemies of the Lord to blaspheme, the child also that is born unto thee shall surely die. PH048 3.4

Teachers and students are constantly at work, weaving the web of their eternal destiny. Every time the shuttle passes, it draws after it a thread which is fastened to right principles and holy actions, or the opposite. Students may have fastened to their threads that which is not profitable for their future life.—Unpublished Testtimony. PH048 3.5

Galatians 2:20, 18: I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.... If I build again the things which I destroyed, I make myself a transgressor. PH048 3.6

What is the principle that is to characterize the life?—“Therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.”—Unpublished Testtimony. PH048 4.1

The youth may have principles so firm that the most powerful temptations of Satan will not draw them away from their allegiance.—Testimonies for the Church 3:472. PH048 4.2

Luke 23:4: Then said Pilate to the chief priests and to the people, I find no fault in this man. PH048 4.3

Daniel 6:5: Then said these men, We shall not find any occasion against this Daniel, except we find it against him concerning the law of his God. PH048 4.4

The promises of God do not rest upon feeling. They have a foundation as distinct from feeling as light is from darkness. We must learn to move from principle; and when we learn to do this, we shall move understandingly, and not be controlled by varying emotions.—Signs of the Times, November 11, 1889. PH048 4.5

2 Corinthians 1:20: For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us. PH048 4.6

The Lord's workers cannot be too careful that their actions do not contradict their words; for a consistent life alone can command respect. If our practise harmonizes with our teachings, our works will have effect; but piety that is not based upon conscientious principles is as salt without savor. To speak, and do not, is as sounding brass and a tinkling cymbal. It is of no use for us to strive to inculcate principles which we do not conscientiously practise.—Special Testimonies, Series A 7:37. PH048 4.7

1 Timothy 4:12: Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity. PH048 4.8

Every act of life is great for good or evil; and it is only by acting upon principle in the tests of daily life that we acquire power to stand firm and faithful in the most dangerous and most difficult positions.—Health Reformer, May 1, 1878. PH048 4.9

Jeremiah 12:5: If thou hast run with the footmen, and they have wearied thee, then how canst thou contend with horses? and if in the land of peace, wherein thou trustedst, they wearied thee, then how wilt thou do in the swelling of Jordan? PH048 5.1

Whether rich or poor, high or low, Satan finds employment for the youth who are not trained to useful industry, and guarded and barricaded with principle.—Signs of the Times, November 12, 1896. PH048 5.2

The progress of reform depends upon a clear definition and recognition of fundamental truth. The principles of God's law must be kept before the people as everlasting and inexorable as the character of God himself.—Health Reformer, August 1, 1878. PH048 5.3

Habakkuk 2:2: And the Lord answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it. PH048 5.4

The Bible teaches men to act from principle; and whenever we successfully resist evil influence, we are strengthening that principle which has been assailed. The mere possession of talent is no guarantee of usefulness or happiness in life. Right principles are the only basis of true success.—The Review and Herald, September 25, 1883. PH048 5.5

James 4:7: Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. PH048 5.6

Every heart will be tested, every character developed. It is principle that God's people must act upon. The living principle must be carried out in the life.—Testimonies for the Church 1:222. PH048 5.7

Ezekiel 18:20: The soul that sinneth, it shall die. The son shall not bear the iniquity of the father, neither shall the father bear the iniquity of the son: the righteousness of the righteous shall be upon him, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon him. PH048 5.8