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Testimonies for the Church Volume 8
until the last great day, when every thought, word, and action will be
brought into judgment.
The thoughtless, unkind words that are spoken grow with every
repetition. One and another adds a word, until the false report as-
sumes large proportions. Great injustice is done. By their unrighteous
suspicions and unrighteous judgments the talebearers hurt their own
experience and sow the seeds of discord in the church. If they could
see things as God sees them they would change their attitude. They
would realize how they have neglected the work He has given them to
do as they have found fault with their brethren and sisters.
The time spent in criticizing the motives and works of Christ’s
servants might better be spent in prayer. Often if those who find fault
knew the truth in regard to those with whom they find fault, they would
have an altogether different opinion of them. How much better it would
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be if, instead of criticizing and condemning others, everyone would
say: “I must work out my own salvation. If I co-operate with Him who
desires to save my soul, I must watch myself diligently. I must cut
away every evil from my life. I must become a new creature in Christ.
I must overcome every fault. Then, instead of weakening those who
are striving against evil, I can strengthen them by encouraging words.”
Let those who have used the talent of speech to discourage and
dishearten God’s servants, who are striving to advance God’s cause,
planning and working to master hindrance, ask God to forgive them
for the injury they have done to His work by their wicked prejudices
and unkind words. Let them think of the harm they have done by
spreading false reports, by judging those they have no right to judge.
In the word of God we are given plain directions as to the course
we are to follow when we think a brother is in the wrong. Christ says:
“If thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault
between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained
thy brother. But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or
two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may
be established. And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the
church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an
heathen man and a publican.” And again the Saviour says: “If thou
bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath
aught against thee; leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way;