Page 192 - That I May Know Him (1964)

A Time to Close the Mind, June 27
Speak not evil one of another, brethren. He that speaketh evil of his
brother, and judgeth his brother, speaketh evil of the law, and
judgeth the law: but if thou judge the law, thou art not a doer of the
law, but a judge. James 4:11.
If Satan can employ professed believers to act as accusers of the
brethren, he is greatly pleased, for those who do this are just as truly
serving him as was Judas when he betrayed Christ, although they may be
doing it ignorantly....
Floating rumors are frequently the destroyers of unity among brethren.
There are some who watch with open mind and ears to catch flying scandal.
They gather up little incidents which may be trifling in themselves, but
which are repeated and exaggerated until a man is made an offender for a
word. Their motto seems to be, “Report, and we will report it.”
These talebearers are doing the devil’s work with surprising fidelity,
little knowing how offensive their course is to God. If they would spend
half the energy and zeal that is given to this unholy work in examining
their own hearts, they would find so much to do to cleanse their souls
from impurity that they would have no time or disposition to criticize their
brethren, and they would not fall under the power of this temptation.
The door of the mind should be closed against, “they say” or “I have
heard.” Why should we not, instead of allowing jealousy or evil surmising
to come into our hearts, go to our brethren, and, after frankly but kindly
setting before them the things we have heard detrimental to their character
and influence, pray with and for them? ...
Let us diligently cultivate the pure principles of the gospel of Christ, the
religion, not of self-esteem, but of love, meekness, and lowliness of heart.
Then we shall love our brethren and esteem them better than ourselves.
Our minds will not dwell on the dark side of their character; we shall not
feast on scandal and flying reports. But “whatsoever things are ...of good
report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise,” we shall “think on
these things” (Philippians 4:8).37 [185]
37The Review and Herald, June 3, 1884.
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