Maintaining a High Moral Standard
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the truth in new fields, will you meet persons who will engage in this
wicked flattery. As a servant of Christ, despise the flattery; shun it as
you would a venomous serpent. Rebuke the woman who will praise
your smartness, holding your hand as long as she can retain it in her
own. Have little to say to persons of this class; for they are the agents
of Satan, and carry out his plans by laying bewitching snares to beguile
you from the path of holiness. Every sensible Christian lady will act a
modest part; she will understand the devices of Satan, and will not be
a co-laborer with him.
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Never earn the reputation of being a minister who is a particular
favorite with the women. Shun the society of those who by their arts
would weaken in the least your purpose to do right, or bring a stain
upon the purity of your conscience. Do not give them your time or
your confidence; for they will leave you feeling bereft of your spiritual
strength. Do nothing among strangers, on the cars, in the home, in the
street, that would have the least appearance of evil.—
The Review and
Herald, July 8, 1884
.
Avoid Every Approach to Evil—When one who claims to be
teaching the truth is inclined to be much in the company of young
or even married women, when he familiarly lays his hand upon their
person, or is often found conversing with them in a familiar manner, be
afraid of him; the pure principles of truth are not wrought in his soul.
Such are not workers with Jesus; they are not in Christ, and Christ is
not abiding in them. They need a thorough conversion before God can
accept their labors. The truth of heavenly origin never degrades the
receiver, never leads him to the least approach to undue familiarity;
on the contrary, it sanctifies the believer, refines his taste, elevates and
ennobles him, and brings him into a close connection with Jesus. It
leads him to regard the apostle Paul’s injunction to abstain from even
the appearance of evil, lest his good should be evil spoken of....
Men who are doing God’s work, and who have Christ abiding in
their hearts, will not lower the standard of morality, but will ever seek
to elevate it. They will not find pleasure in the flattery of women, or
in being petted by them. Let both young and married men say, Hands
off! I will not give the least occasion to have my good evil spoken of.
My good name is capital of far more value to me than gold or silver.
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Let me preserve it untarnished. If men assail that name, it shall not
be because I have given them any occasion to do so, but for the same