The Need for Self-RenunciationMan’s great danger is in being self-deceived, indulging self-sufficiency, and thus separating from God, the source of his strength. Our natural tendencies, unless corrected by the Holy Spirit of God, have in them the seeds of moral death. Unless we become vitally connected with God, we cannot resist the unhallowed effects of self-love, self-indulgence, and temptation to sin. {8T 315.6}

Behov for selvfornægtelse
Mennesket store fare ligger i selvbedrag, tillade selvtilstrækkelighed og derved adskille sig selv fra Gud, styrkenes kilde. Vore naturlige tilbøjeligheder har moraldødens frø i sig, (216) medmindre tilbøjelighederne rettes af Guds Helligånd. Hvis vi ikke bliver vitalt forbundet med Gud, kan vi ikke modstå egenkærlighedens, selvtilfredstillelsens og fristelsens syndige virkninger.