Chapter 70—Criticism
Results of Criticism—Our bodies are built up from what we eat
and drink, and the character of our spiritual experience depends on
what our minds feed upon and assimilate. By continually dwelling
upon the mistakes and defects of others, many become religious dys-
peptics.
The Lord has bidden us, “Whatsoever things are true, whatsoever
things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are
pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good
report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these
things” (
Philippians 4:8
). But those who are so busy in dissecting the
words and acts of others to discover all that is objectionable fail to
discern the good and pleasant things. They do not eat of the proper
food to promote spiritual vitality and healthy growth.—MS 4a, 1893.
Respect and Love One Another—If we keep uppermost in our
minds the unkind and unjust acts of others, we shall find it impossible
to love them as Christ has loved us; but if our thoughts dwell upon the
wondrous love and pity of Christ for us, the same spirit will flow out
to others. We should love and respect one another, notwithstanding
the faults and imperfections that we cannot help seeing. Humility and
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self-distrust should be cultivated, and a patient tenderness with the
faults of others. This will kill out all narrowing selfishness and make
us largehearted and generous.—
Steps to Christ, 121
(1892).
Creating an Unreal World—You may create an unreal world in
your own mind and picture an ideal church where the temptations
of Satan no longer prompt to evil, but perfection exists only in your
imagination. The world is a fallen world, and the church is a place
represented by a field in which grow tares and wheat. They are to
grow together until the harvest. It is not our place to uproot the tares,
according to human wisdom, lest under the suggestions of Satan, the
wheat may be rooted up under the supposition that it is tares. The
wisdom that is from above will come to him who is meek and lowly in
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