552
Evangelism
Jealousy and Suspicion Produce Disunion—There is nothing
that so much retards and cripples the work in its various branches as
jealousy and suspicion and evil surmisings. These reveal that disunion
prevails among the workers for God. Selfishness is the root of all
evil.—
Letter 113a, 1897
.
Irreparable Harm to Associate Workers—Let no one be sharp
and dictatorial in his dealings with God’s workers. Let those who
are inclined to censure remember that they have made mistakes as
grievous as those they condemn in others. Let them bow in contrition
before God, asking His pardon for the sharp speeches they have made
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and the unguarded spirit they have revealed. Remember that God hears
every word you speak, and that as you judge, you will be judged....
Shall we not remedy the difficulties that exist by striving to restore
the wounded, not by cutting off their limbs, leaving them crippled for
life, their usefulness impaired, when they might have been restored?—
Manuscript 143, 1902
.
Criticism of Others Weakens Own Work—The plans and meth-
ods of God’s workers are to be thoroughly sifted from worldly policy.
Their work is to be carried forward with Christlike simplicity. Remem-
ber that he who takes the position of a criticizer greatly weakens his
own hands. God has not made it the duty of men or of women to find
fault with their fellow workers.—
The Review and Herald, September
2, 1902
.
Satan’s Special Temptation—If men desire to place themselves
where they can be used by God, they must not criticize others, to make
their defects apparent. This is Satan’s special temptation, whereby he
strives to hinder the work.—
Manuscript 152, 1898
.
Self-sufficiency Tears Down the Work—We want men who will
strengthen and build up the work, not tear down and seek to destroy
that which others are trying to do. We need men and women whom
God can work, the fallow ground of whose heart has been broken up.
We do not need workers who must be supported and carried by
those who have long been in the faith, who regard themselves as a
perfect whole. To such we would say, “Stay where you are.” We
have had enough to do with this class of workers. We want workers
who are not steeped in selfishness, those who are not self-sufficient.—
Manuscript 173, 1898
.
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