Chapter 33—Criticism and Its Effects
Christians should be careful in regard to their words. They should
never carry unfavorable reports from one of their friends to another,
especially if they are aware that there is a lack of union between them.
It is cruel to hint and insinuate, as though you knew a great deal in
regard to this friend or that acquaintance of which others are ignorant.
Such hints go further, and create more unfavorable impressions, than
to frankly relate the facts in an unexaggerated manner. What harm has
not the church of Christ suffered from these things! The inconsistent,
unguarded course of her members has made her weak as water. Confi-
dence has been betrayed by members of the same church, and yet the
guilty did not design to do mischief. Lack of wisdom in the selection
of subjects of conversation has done much harm.
The conversation should be upon spiritual and divine things; but it
has been otherwise. If the association with Christian friends is chiefly
devoted to the improvement of the mind and heart, there will be no
after regrets, and they can look back on the interview with a pleasant
satisfaction. But if the hours are spent in levity and vain talking, and
the precious time is employed in dissecting the lives and character of
others, the friendly intercourse will prove a source of evil, and your
influence will be a savor of death unto death
Think Well of All Men
When we listen to a reproach against our brother, we take up that
reproach. To the question, “Lord, who shall abide in Thy tabernacle?
who shall dwell in Thy holy hill?” the psalmist answered, “He that
walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness, and speaketh the truth
in his heart. He that backbiteth not with his tongue, nor doeth evil to
his neighbor, nor taketh up a reproach against his neighbor.”
Psalm
15:1-3
.
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Testimonies for the Church 2:186, 187
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