Problem Solving and Conflict Resolution
277
An accusing spirit prevents the solving of problems—There are
some who imagine that it is their duty to be church tinkers. It is agree-
able to their natural feelings to be seeking spot and stain in others;
they watch diligently for something to reprove, and they become nar-
rower and narrower in their ideas, until they are ready to make one
an offender for a word. In the Sabbath meetings, when all should be
individually engaged in the worship of God, an accusing spirit is al-
lowed to come in, and one bears testimony against another. This spirit
is wholly unlike Christ, and leads to dissension and wrangling. God no
more accepts such worship than He accepted Cain’s offering. There is
no more effectual hindrance to growth in grace than this disposition
to criticize and condemn others. We have in our experience seen this
[269]
accusing spirit gradually enter the hearts of church-members until it
had leavened nearly the entire church, and the result was that little of
real godliness or of the spirit of Christ remained.—
Historical Sketches
of the Foreign Missions of the Seventh-day Adventists, 212, 213
.
Unity
Unity in the church reveals Christ more than do sermons and
arguments—Wherever severity, harshness, and want of affection and
love are exhibited in the sacred circle of the home, there will most
assuredly be a failure in the plans and management in the church.
Unity in the home, unity in the church, reveals Christ’s manner and
grace more than sermons and arguments.—
Evangelism, 342
.
Satan works to prevent harmony in the church, because bick-
ering causes people to become disgusted with Christianity—The
evidence that the world cannot withstand and controvert, that God
has sent Jesus into the world as its Redeemer, is in the oneness of the
church. Their unity and harmony is the convincing argument. Satan
is therefore constantly at work to prevent this harmony and union,
that in witnessing the bickerings, strifes, and dissension, unbelievers
shall become disgusted with Christianity, and fastened in unbelief and
infidelity. God is dishonored by those who profess the truth while they
are at variance with one another.—
The Upward Look, 63
.
Those united to Christ will have true, sincere love for one an-
other—My brethren are well aware that the Word of God presents the
matter of church unity as a principle; those who are united to Christ