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Mind, Character, and Personality Volume 2
heart, and that wisdom will not lead him to destroy but to build up the
people of God.—Lt 63, 1893.
To Restore and Heal—We must look on the faults of others, not
to condemn, but to restore and heal. Watch unto prayer, go forward
and upward, catching more and more of the spirit of Jesus and sowing
the same beside all waters.—Lt 89, 1894. (HC 185.)
Satan Fosters Criticism—Self will ever cherish a high estimate of
self. As men lose their first love, they do not keep the commandments
of God, and then they begin to criticize one another. This spirit will
be constantly striving for the mastery to the close of time. Satan is
seeking to foster it in order that brethren in their ignorance may seek
to devour one another. God is not glorified but greatly dishonored; the
Spirit of God is grieved.
Satan exults because he knows that if he can set brother to watch
brother in the church and in the ministry, some will be so disheartened
and discouraged as to leave their post of duty. This is not the work
of the Holy Spirit; a power from beneath is working in the chambers
[637]
of the mind and in the soul temple to place his attributes where the
attributes of Christ should be.—
The General Conference Bulletin,
February 25, 1895
, p 338.
Scattering FromChrist—Many who profess to gather with Christ
are scattering from Him. This is why the church is so weak. Many
indulge freely in criticism and accusing. By giving expression to sus-
picion, jealousy, and discontent, they yield themselves as instruments
to Satan.... Frivolity, selfish indulgence, and careless indifference on
the part of professed Christians are turning away many souls from the
path of life.—
Christ’s Object Lessons, 340, 341
(1900).
Leaning on Arm of Flesh—The Lord knows that if we look to
man, and trust to man, we are leaning on an arm of flesh. He invites
our confidence. There is no limit to His power. Think of the Lord
Jesus and His merits and His love, but do not seek to find the defects
and dwell upon the mistakes that others have made. Call to your mind
the things worthy of your recognition and your praise; and if you are
sharp to discern errors in others, be more sharp to recognize the good
and praise the good. You may, if you criticize yourselves, find things
just as objectionable as that which you see in others. Then let us work
constantly to strengthen one another in the most holy faith.—MS 151,
1898.