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Testimonies for the Church Volume 2
“The tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity.” “The discretion of a
man deferreth his anger; and it is his glory to pass over a transgres-
sion.” “He that is slow to wrath is of great understanding: but he that
is hasty of spirit exalteth folly.” “He that is slow to anger is better
than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a
city.” “Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to
hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath: for the wrath of man worketh
not the righteousness of God.” “He that hath knowledge spareth his
words: and a man of understanding is of an excellent spirit.” Margin,
“a cool spirit.”
Our great Exemplar was exalted to be equal with God. He was
high commander in heaven. All the holy angels delighted to bow
before Him. “And again, when He bringeth in the First-begotten
into the world, He saith, And let all the angels of God worship Him.”
Jesus took upon Himself our nature, laid aside His glory, majesty,
and riches to perform his mission, to save that which was lost. He
came not to be ministered unto, but to minister unto others. Jesus,
when reviled, abused, and insulted, did not retaliate. “Who, when
He was reviled, reviled not again.” When the cruelty of man caused
Him to suffer painful stripes and wounds, He threatened not, but
committed Himself to Him who judgeth righteously. The apostle
Paul exhorted his Philippian brethren: “Let this mind be in you,
which was also in Christ Jesus: who, being in the form of God,
thought it not robbery to be equal with God: but made Himself of
no reputation, and took upon Him the form of a servant, and was
made in the likeness of men.” Is the servant greater than his master?
Christ has given us His life as a pattern, and we dishonor Him when
we become jealous of every slight, and are ready to resent every
injury, supposed or real. It is not an evidence of a noble mind to
be prepared to defend self, to preserve our own dignity. We would
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better suffer wrongfully a hundred times than wound the soul by a
spirit of retaliation, or by giving vent to wrath. There is strength to
be obtained of God. He can help. He can give grace and heavenly
wisdom. If you ask in faith, you will receive; but you must watch
unto prayer. Watch, pray, work, should be your watchword.
Your wife might be a blessing if she would only take upon her
the responsibility that it is her duty to take. But she has shunned
responsibility all her life, and now is in danger of being influenced,