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Mind, Character, and Personality Volume 2
present; for he finds employment. He stands by to excite the mind
and make the most of the advantage he has gained. He knows that all
this gossip and talebearing and revealing of secrets and dissecting of
character separates the soul from God. It is death to spirituality and a
calm religious influence.
Sister_____ sins greatly with her tongue. She ought by her words
to have an influence for good, but she frequently talks at random.
Sometimes her words put a different construction upon things than they
will bear. Sometimes there is exaggeration. Then there is misstatement.
There is no intention to misstate, but the habit of much talking and
talking upon things that are unprofitable has been so long cherished
that she has become careless and reckless in her words and frequently
does not know what she is stating herself. This destroys any influence
for good she might have. It is time there was an entire reform in this
respect. Her society has not been prized as it would have been had she
not indulged in this sinful talking.—
Testimonies for the Church 2:185,
186
(1868).
Pouring Troubles Into Human Ears—Sometimes we pour our
troubles into human ears, tell our afflictions to those who cannot help
us, and neglect to confide all to Jesus, who is able to change the
sorrowful way to paths of joy and peace.—
The Signs of The Times,
March 17, 1887, par. 4
. (HC 97.)
Beware of Men Who Know Not God—Continuing His instruc-
tion to His disciples, Jesus said, “Beware of men.” They were not
to put implicit confidence in those who knew not God and open to
them their counsels; for this would give Satan’s agents an advantage.
Man’s inventions often counterwork God’s plans. Those who build
the temple of the Lord are to build according to the pattern shown in
the mount—the divine similitude. God is dishonored and the gospel is
betrayed when His servants depend on the counsel of men who are not
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under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Worldly wisdom is foolishness
with God. Those who rely upon it will surely err.—
The Desire of
Ages, 354
(1898).
Do Not Betray Confidence or Holy Trust—There will come a
crisis in every one of our institutions. Influences will be at work
against them from both believers and unbelievers. There must be no
betraying of confidence or holy trust now to benefit or exalt self. We
should constantly watch our life with jealous care lest we leave wrong