--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: There can be no doubt that this…" description: "\"There can be no doubt that this possessive clinging to things is one of the most harmful habits in the [christian] life. Because it is so natural, it i..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/899/aiden-wilson-tozer-296_christian_there-can-be-no-doubt-that-this-possessi_3191985.jpg" --- # There can be no doubt that this possessive clinging to… ![“There can be no doubt that this possessive clinging to things is one of the most harmful habits in the [christian] life. Because it is so natural, it is rarely recognized for the evil that it is. But its outworkings are tragic.” quote by Aiden Wilson Tozer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/899/aiden-wilson-tozer-296_christian_there-can-be-no-doubt-that-this-possessi_3191985.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/899/aiden-wilson-tozer-296_christian_there-can-be-no-doubt-that-this-possessi_3191985.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/899/aiden-wilson-tozer-296_christian_there-can-be-no-doubt-that-this-possessi_3191985.jpg) > “There can be no doubt that this possessive clinging to things is one of the most harmful habits in the \[christian\] life. Because it is so natural, it is rarely recognized for the evil that it is. But its outworkings are tragic.” [Aiden Wilson Tozer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aiden-wilson-tozer/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Clinging to material things harms spiritual growth; it’s often unnoticed. **In simple terms:** Holding onto possessions hurts faith. Key Takeaway Let go of material attachments. Themes spirituality materialism habits Mood reflective serious Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - personal finance - relationships - spiritual practice - mental health Key Concepts attachment theory Christian ethics Questions to Reflect On - What possessions do you cling to? - How can you recognize hidden attachments? A Different Perspective Overcoming deep‑rooted habits requires support and reflection. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Christian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/christian/) [Christian life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/christian-life/) [Clinging](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/clinging/) [Clinging Things](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/clinging-things-1400193/) [Doubt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/doubt/) [Evil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/evil/) [Habit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/habit/) [Harmful Habits](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/harmful-habits-4950233/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Natural](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/natural/) [No doubt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/no-doubt/) [Possessive](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/possessive/) [Possessive Clinging](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/possessive-clinging-5891604/) [Things Harmful](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/things-harmful-3529778/) [Tragic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tragic/) ## Related quotes > [Negative behaviors and harmful habits are the silent killers of a healthy, good life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/varsha-sharma/negative-behaviors-and-harmful-habits-are-the-silent-killers-of-a/) [Varsha Sharma](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/varsha-sharma/) > [Education with inert ideas is not only useless; it is above all things harmful.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alfred-north-whitehead/education-with-inert-ideas-is-not-only-useless-it-is-above-all-things/) [Alfred North Whitehead](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alfred-north-whitehead/) > [“All things are transitory. All things must pass. Attachments whether to material possessions, to people, to places to name, are futile. Despite your clinging,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hari-kunzru/all-things-are-transitory-all-things-must-pass-attachments-whether-to/) [Hari Kunzru](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hari-kunzru/) > [“The church is always trying to get other people to reform; it might not be a bad idea to reform itself a little, by…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-twain/the-church-is-always-trying-to-get-other-people-to-reform-it-might/) [Mark Twain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-twain/) > [Yes, I get jealous. Yes, I get possessive. Why? Because what's mine is MINE and sometimes I think someone might steal you away forever.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/keren-zhims/yes-i-get-jealous-yes-i-get-possessive-why-because-what-s-mine-is/) [Keren Zhims](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/keren-zhims/) > [See, if there is zero possessiveness in a relationship, then one needs to put a reality check to see if things are really going…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kunal-khemu/see-if-there-is-zero-possessiveness-in-a-relationship-then-one-needs/) [Kunal Khemu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kunal-khemu/) > [“You’re awfully possessive.” …“That’s because you’re awfully mine.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/l-j-shen/you-re-awfully-possessive-that-s-because-you-re-awfully-mine/) [L.J. Shen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/l-j-shen/) > [Film is not like a book; it's not a writer's baby at all. So many people have put in their talent, by that time…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ruth-prawer-jhabvala/film-is-not-like-a-book-it-s-not-a-writer-s-baby-at-all-so-many/) [Ruth Prawer Jhabvala](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ruth-prawer-jhabvala/) > [“I can’t help but desire you. I want to taste you again. This feeling I have for you is more than intense ” he…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lara-adrian/i-can-t-help-but-desire-you-i-want-to-taste-you-again-this-feeling-i/) [Lara Adrian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lara-adrian/) > [I’ve told you before, I love like a madman,” he said. “Immoderate, jealous, possessive...I’m absolutely intolerable.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lisa-kleypas/i-ve-told-you-before-i-love-like-a-madman-he-said-immoderate-jealous/) [Lisa Kleypas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lisa-kleypas/) > [“I'm not possessive over you, Maddie," he says into my ear. "I'm protective, and there's a difference. I'd never try to control you or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emma-hart/i-m-not-possessive-over-you-maddie-he-says-into-my-ear-i-m-protective/) [Emma Hart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emma-hart/) > [I admit that I am very possessive.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kunal-khemu/i-admit-that-i-am-very-possessive/) [Kunal Khemu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kunal-khemu/) > [The creative impulses of man are always at war with the possessive impulses.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/van-wyck-brooks/the-creative-impulses-of-man-are-always-at-war-with-the-possessive/) [Van Wyck Brooks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/van-wyck-brooks/) > [Sometimes we get too possessive with someone we don't even own. It's a side effect of loving too much, and receiving too little.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/sometimes-we-get-too-possessive-with-someone-we-don-t-even-own-it-s-a/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [To the newcomer to the south, hearing that a coworker plans a weekend visit to 'mama and them's' (the correct plural possessive, don'tchaknow), might…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/celia-rivenbark/to-the-newcomer-to-the-south-hearing-that-a-coworker-plans-a-weekend/) [Celia Rivenbark](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/celia-rivenbark/) ## More by Aiden Wilson Tozer > [I think a new world will arise out of the religious mists when we approach our Bible with the idea that it is not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aiden-wilson-tozer/i-think-a-new-world-will-arise-out-of-the-religious-mists-when-we/) [Aiden Wilson Tozer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aiden-wilson-tozer/) > [One thing the young Christian should be taught as quickly as possible after his conversion is that Jesus Christ is all he needs.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aiden-wilson-tozer/one-thing-the-young-christian-should-be-taught-as-quickly-as-possible/) [Aiden Wilson Tozer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aiden-wilson-tozer/) > [The idea that this world is a playground instead of a battleground has now been accepted in practice by the vast majority of Christians.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aiden-wilson-tozer/the-idea-that-this-world-is-a-playground-instead-of-a-battleground/) [Aiden Wilson Tozer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aiden-wilson-tozer/) > [God often hides His blessing in trouble or trial, which makes it all the sweeter when it comes our way.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aiden-wilson-tozer/god-often-hides-his-blessing-in-trouble-or-trial-which-makes-it-all/) [Aiden Wilson Tozer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aiden-wilson-tozer/) > [Pay no heed to the passing religious vogue. Go back to the grass roots. Open your hearts and search the Scriptures. Bear your cross,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aiden-wilson-tozer/pay-no-heed-to-the-passing-religious-vogue-go-back-to-the-grass-roots/) [Aiden Wilson Tozer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aiden-wilson-tozer/) > [To pray without expectation is to misunderstand the whole concept of prayer and relationship with God.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aiden-wilson-tozer/to-pray-without-expectation-is-to-misunderstand-the-whole-concept-of/) [Aiden Wilson Tozer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aiden-wilson-tozer/) > [It's time for us to rise up, get out of the rut and routine, and begin to take our Christian faith seriously.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aiden-wilson-tozer/it-s-time-for-us-to-rise-up-get-out-of-the-rut-and-routine-and-begin/) [Aiden Wilson Tozer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aiden-wilson-tozer/) > [The true Christian ideal is not to be happy but to be holy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aiden-wilson-tozer/the-true-christian-ideal-is-not-to-be-happy-but-to-be-holy/) [Aiden Wilson Tozer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aiden-wilson-tozer/) > [The goodness of God is infinitely more wonderful than we will ever be able to comprehend.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aiden-wilson-tozer/the-goodness-of-god-is-infinitely-more-wonderful-than-we-will-ever-be/) [Aiden Wilson Tozer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aiden-wilson-tozer/) > [A holy man isn't aware that he's holy..As soon as we begin to talk about how holy we are, we aren't holy any more.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aiden-wilson-tozer/a-holy-man-isn-t-aware-that-he-s-holy-as-soon-as-we-begin-to-talk/) [Aiden Wilson Tozer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aiden-wilson-tozer/) > [There is a strain of loneliness infecting many Christians, which only the presence of God can cure.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aiden-wilson-tozer/there-is-a-strain-of-loneliness-infecting-many-christians-which-only/) [Aiden Wilson Tozer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aiden-wilson-tozer/) > [Where God is not glorified, that place is sick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aiden-wilson-tozer/where-god-is-not-glorified-that-place-is-sick/) [Aiden Wilson Tozer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aiden-wilson-tozer/) > [Hope is the music of the whole Bible, the heartbeat, the pulse and the atmosphere of the whole Bible.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aiden-wilson-tozer/hope-is-the-music-of-the-whole-bible-the-heartbeat-the-pulse-and-the/) [Aiden Wilson Tozer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aiden-wilson-tozer/) > [Christian liberty is freedom from sin, not freedom to sin.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aiden-wilson-tozer/christian-liberty-is-freedom-from-sin-not-freedom-to-sin/) [Aiden Wilson Tozer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aiden-wilson-tozer/) > [Outside of the will of god, there is nothing I want. And in the will of god there is nothing I fear.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aiden-wilson-tozer/outside-of-the-will-of-god-there-is-nothing-i-want-and-in-the-will-of/) [Aiden Wilson Tozer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aiden-wilson-tozer/) [Explore all 720 Aiden Wilson Tozer quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aiden-wilson-tozer/) ## More Christian quotes > [I need a bath." He chuckled. "You smell of smoke, as do I." The duke turned, leaning heavily on his cane. "Jameson, open the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karen-hawkins/i-need-a-bath-he-chuckled-you-smell-of-smoke-as-do-i-the-duke-turned/) [Karen Hawkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karen-hawkins/) > [I think, here's what I've realized from interviewing people, and I've been very open about my Catholicism and my love of Christ and I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-mohr/i-think-here-s-what-i-ve-realized-from-interviewing-people-and-i-ve/) [Jay Mohr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-mohr/) > [The truth is, of course, that the curtness of the Ten Commandments is an evidence, not of the gloom and narrowness of a religion,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-truth-is-of-course-that-the-curtness-of-the-ten-commandments-is/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Why do Christians sing when they are together? The reason is, quite simply, because in singing together it is possible for them to speak…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dietrich-bonhoeffer/why-do-christians-sing-when-they-are-together-the-reason-is-quite/) [Dietrich Bonhoeffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dietrich-bonhoeffer/) > [I'm very used to working with first time actors - you can just look back at 'E.T.' with Drew Barrymore, and Christian Bale from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-spielberg/i-m-very-used-to-working-with-first-time-actors-you-can-just-look/) [Steven Spielberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-spielberg/) > [“A question for Christians who accept evolution: When did we gain a "soul"? Did Homo habilis have a soul? Homo ergaster? Did God only…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-g-mcafee/a-question-for-christians-who-accept-evolution-when-did-we-gain-a/) [David G. McAfee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-g-mcafee/) > [Always have the fear of God in your heart, and remember that God is always with you, everywhere, whether you are walking or sitting.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gennadius-of-constantinople/always-have-the-fear-of-god-in-your-heart-and-remember-that-god-is/) [Gennadius of Constantinople](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gennadius-of-constantinople/) > [For many, the call to be a Christian can seem demanding, even overwhelming. But we need not be afraid or feel inadequate. The Savior…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-d-hales/for-many-the-call-to-be-a-christian-can-seem-demanding-even/) [Robert D. Hales](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-d-hales/) > [A real Christian in an odd number anyway. He feels supreme love for One whom he has never seen, talks familiarly every day to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/a-real-christian-in-an-odd-number-anyway-he-feels-supreme-love-for/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [When the Lord Jesus Christ became my surety . . . He went to Calvary's cross, and all my guilt was charged against Him.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-allen-ironside/when-the-lord-jesus-christ-became-my-surety-he-went-to-calvary-s/) [Henry Allen Ironside](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-allen-ironside/) > [The world's history is a divine poem, of which the history of every nation is a canto, and every man a word. Its strains…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-a-garfield/the-world-s-history-is-a-divine-poem-of-which-the-history-of-every/) [James A. Garfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-a-garfield/) > [Poor David Hume is dying fast, but with more real cheerfulness and good humor and with more real resignation to the necessary course of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-smith/poor-david-hume-is-dying-fast-but-with-more-real-cheerfulness-and/) [Adam Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-smith/) > [“Is there any holy beings like human beings?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lailah-gifty-akita/is-there-any-holy-beings-like-human-beings/) [Lailah Gifty Akita](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lailah-gifty-akita/) > [Jeff Chu's pilgrimage across America to discover his own place as a gay man in the Christian church as well as attitudes about being…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donna-freitas/jeff-chu-s-pilgrimage-across-america-to-discover-his-own-place-as-a/) [Donna Freitas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donna-freitas/) > [We need to discover all over again that worship is natural to the Christian, as it was to the godly Israelites who wrote the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-i-packer/we-need-to-discover-all-over-again-that-worship-is-natural-to-the/) [J. I. Packer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-i-packer/) [Browse all 14,306 Christian quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/christian/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "There can be no doubt that this possessive clinging to things is one of the most harmful habits in the [christian] life. Because it is so natural, it is rarely recognized for the evil that it is. But its outworkings are tragic.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Aiden Wilson Tozer" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aiden-wilson-tozer/there-can-be-no-doubt-that-this-possessive-clinging-to-things-is-one/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Christian" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aiden-wilson-tozer/there-can-be-no-doubt-that-this-possessive-clinging-to-things-is-one/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/899/aiden-wilson-tozer-296_christian_there-can-be-no-doubt-that-this-possessi_3191985.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/899/aiden-wilson-tozer-296_christian_there-can-be-no-doubt-that-this-possessi_3191985.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/899/aiden-wilson-tozer-296_christian_there-can-be-no-doubt-that-this-possessi_3191985.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“There can be no doubt that this possessive clinging to things is one of the most harmful habits in the…” — Aiden Wilson Tozer", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Aiden Wilson Tozer", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aiden-wilson-tozer/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "There can be no doubt that...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aiden-wilson-tozer/there-can-be-no-doubt-that-this-possessive-clinging-to-things-is-one/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aiden-wilson-tozer/there-can-be-no-doubt-that-this-possessive-clinging-to-things-is-one/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```