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Our Example in Self-control, May 13
Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: who, when he
was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not;
but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously.
1 Peter 2:22,
23
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The highest evidence of nobility in a Christian is self-control. We
should copy the example of Jesus, for when He was reviled, He reviled
not again, but “committed himself to him that judgeth righteously.” Our
Redeemer met insult and mockery with uncomplaining silence. All the
cruel taunts of the murderous throng who exulted in His humiliation and
trial in the judgment hall could not bring from Him one look or word of
resentment or impatience. He was the Majesty of heaven, and in His pure
breast there dwelt no room for the spirit of retaliation, but only for pity and
love
There seems to be a mist before the eyes of many, for they fail to
discern spiritual things, and do not recognize the workings of Satan to
entrap their souls. Christians are not to be the slaves of passion; they are
to be controlled by the Spirit of God. But many become the sport of the
enemy, because when temptation comes, they do not rest in Jesus, but
worry themselves out of His arms.... We make failures in our little, daily
difficulties, and allow them to irritate and vex us; we fall under them, and
so make stumbling blocks for ourselves and others. But blessings of the
greatest importance are to result from the patient endurance of these daily
vexations, for we are to gain strength to bear greater difficulties....
O that we might control our words and actions! ... What harm is
wrought in the family circle by the utterance of impatient words, for the
impatient utterance of one leads another to retort in the same spirit and
manner. Then come words of retaliation, words of self-justification, and
it is by such words that a heavy, galling yoke is manufactured for your
neck, for all these bitter words will come back in a baleful harvest to your
soul.... How much better to have the oil of grace in the heart, to be able to
pass by all provocation, and bear all things with Christlike meekness and
forbearance
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16
The Review and Herald, February 24, 1891
.
17
The Review and Herald, May 19, 1891
.
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