Subject Passions and Affections to Reason—[Note: See note on p. 452.]—Not only does God require you to control your thoughts, but also your passions and affections. Your salvation depends upon your governing yourself in these things. Passion and affection are powerful agents. If misapplied, if set in operation through wrong motives, if misplaced, they are powerful to accomplish your ruin and leave you a miserable wreck, without God and without hope. (CG 465.1) MC VC

The imagination must be positively and persistently controlled if the passions and affections are made subject to reason, conscience, and character.... (CG 465.2) MC VC

Unless you restrain your thoughts, your reading, and your words, your imagination will become hopelessly diseased. Read your Bible attentively, prayerfully, and be guided by its teachings. This is your safety. (CG 465.3) MC VC

Close Senses Against Evil—Those who would have that 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 that knowledge which would stain their purity of thoughts and acts, and guard their tongues lest they utter corrupt communications and guile be found in their mouths. (CG 465.4) MC VC

Avoid reading and seeing things which will suggest impure thoughts. Cultivate the moral and intellectual powers. (CG 465.5) MC VC

Avoid Inactivity Coupled With Excessive Study—Excessive study, by increasing the flow of blood to the brain, creates morbid excitability that tends to lessen the power of self-control and too often gives sway to impulse or caprice. Thus the door is opened to impurity. The misuse or nonuse of the physical powers is largely responsible for the tide of corruption that is overspreading the world. “Pride, fulness of bread, and abundance of idleness”(Ezekiel 16:49) are as deadly foes to human progress in this generation as when they led to the destruction of Sodom. (CG 465.6) MC VC