230
      
      
         Counsels for the Church
      
      
        be reflected, with splendor, the light which radiates from the throne of
      
      
        God.
      
      
        The Lord is testing and proving His people. You may be just as
      
      
        severe and critical with your own defective character as you please;
      
      
        but be kind, pitiful, and courteous toward others. Inquire every day:
      
      
        Am I sound to the core, or am I false-hearted? Entreat the Lord to save
      
      
        you from all deception on this point. Eternal interests are involved.
      
      
        While so many are panting after honor and greedy of gain, do you, my
      
      
        beloved brethren, be eagerly seeking the assurance of the love of God
      
      
        and crying: Who will show me how to make my calling and election
      
      
        sure?
      
      
        Satan carefully studies the constitutional sins of men, and then
      
      
        he begins his work of alluring and ensnaring them. We are in the
      
      
        thickest of temptations, but there is victory for us if we fight manfully
      
      
        the battles of the Lord. All are in danger. But if you walk humbly
      
      
        and prayerfully you will come forth from the proving process more
      
      
        precious than fine gold, even than the golden wedge of Ophir. If
      
      
        careless and prayerless, you will be as sounding brass and a tinkling
      
      
        cymbal
      
      
      
      
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         Testimonies for the Church 5:96-98