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Remove the Rubbish of Criticism, August 13
I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him
crucified.
1 Corinthians 2:2
.
Do not criticize others. The spirit of criticism is eating away the very vitals of
the people of God. We cannot afford to pile up rubbish. Heaven sees the work
that is going on of piling up the rubbish of words. Suppose we decided not to add
anything to this pile of heedless, vain, and foolish words? We have a most sacred,
solemn work to do....
The piles of rubbish that have been accumulating need to be removed. How?
Let us “cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting
holiness in the fear of God” (
2 Corinthians 7:1
). Cultivate personal piety. God
would have us inquire, “Who hath known the mind of the Lord?” that He may
instruct us, and that we may be able to say, “We have the mind of Christ.” Then
all the rubbish of evil words will be removed. May the Lord imbue us with His
Spirit, and touch our lips with a burning coal from the altar. Earnestly, vigilantly
watching and waiting and working, we are to be “not slothful in business; fervent
in spirit; serving the Lord” (
Romans 12:11
).
The church is the one object of Christ’s intense interest in this world, and for
which He has unceasing care. This church is engaged in securing the knowledge
of God and Jesus Christ, which is eternal life to all who receive it. In every soul
God looks for stable principles revealed in word and action. Then they will bring
from the treasure house words weighted with the principles of eternal truth.
We have no time to praise the devil, no time nor voice to criticize. We are
to show that the grace of Christ is abiding in our hearts. Its influence will be
revealed, whatever company we are in, by words of deepest importance, involving
consequences as enduring as eternity.
At this period of the earth’s history we cannot afford to weaken one another’s
influence. The Christian warfare is close and severe. We have to meet and battle
with unseen foes, and we must be in harmony with the heavenly agencies, who
are seeking to cleanse us from the inclination to criticize our brethren, to pass
judgment on them. The Lord desires us to stand under the yoke of Christ....
We are to believe and love the truth for Christ’s sake. We must rise higher and
higher in purity [and] knowledge. We are Christ’s witnesses. Then let us not talk
of difficulties or ponder over our trials, but come close to the Lord Jesus Christ,
who is the Author and Finisher of our faith. By beholding Him, studying and
talking of Him, we become transformed into His image.—
Letter 119, August 13,
1899
, to a husband-and-wife team working in the Southern States.
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