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Provoke to Love, March 2
I said, I will take heed to my ways, that I sin not with my tongue: I will
keep my mouth with a bridle, while the wicked is before me.
Psalm 39:1
.
My children, watch unto prayer, and become more and more careful in
regard to your words and your deportment. “Watch and pray, that ye enter
not into temptation” (
Matthew 26:41
). It is poor policy to give the enemy the
slightest advantage. My son, be gentlemanly, and you will strengthen your
influence over those with whom you work. Never speak unadvisedly. Let
your respect for yourself as Christ’s representative keep you from giving way
to anger. If we respect ourselves by wearing Christ’s yoke, we shall increase
our influence tenfold.
Human nature will continue to be human nature, but it can be elevated
and ennobled by union with the divine nature. It is by partaking of the divine
nature that men and women escape the corruption that is in the world through
lust.
Truth must be practiced in order to be a power in the world. When truth
abides in the heart, the daily experience is a revelation of the controlling
power of Christ’s grace. Never keep the truth in the outer court. Let the Holy
Spirit stamp it on the soul....
Reverence God and His purchased possession. Be careful of your manners,
because you are Christ’s representative. Guard your words carefully, and
labor earnestly for the conviction and conversion of sinners. Keep the heart
uplifted to God in prayer. When unkind, untrue words are spoken to you,
do not lose control of yourself. Remember that “a soft answer turneth away
wrath” (
Proverbs 15:1
), and that he that rules his spirit is greater than he that
taketh a city.
A true Christian is a gentleman. Those who are filled with conceit think
it their privilege to say many things that might better be left unsaid. Fewer
words and more kind actions would make them a power for good. God
declares, “By thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt
be condemned” (
Matthew 12:37
). All our words and deeds, good and evil,
are passing in review before God. How solemn the thought!
The Word of God warns us not to provoke one another to wrath. But there
is one kind of provoking that is justifiable. Paul writes: ... “I Let us consider
one another to provoke unto love and to good works” (
Hebrews 10:24
).—
Letter 38, March 2, 1903
, to Edson and Emma White.
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