Living With Others
23
Self-Discipline
We are never alone. Whether we choose Him or not, we have
a companion. Remember that wherever you are, whatever you do,
God is there. Nothing that is said or done or thought can escape His
attention. To your every word or deed you have a witness—the holy,
sin-hating God. Before you speak or act, always think of this. As a
Christian, you are a member of the royal family, a child of the heavenly
King. Say no word, do no act, that shall bring dishonor upon “that
worthy name by the which ye are called.”
James 2:7
.
Study carefully the divine-human character, and constantly inquire,
“What would Jesus do were He in my place?” This should be the
measurement of our duty. Do not place yourselves needlessly in the
society of those who by their arts would weaken your purpose to
do right, or bring a stain upon your conscience. Do nothing among
strangers, in the street, on the cars, in the home, that would have the
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least appearance of evil. Do something every day to improve, beautify,
and ennoble the life that Christ has purchased with His own blood.
Let Principle Guide
Always act from principle, never from impulse. Temper the natural
impetuosity of your nature with meekness and gentleness. Indulge in
no lightness or trifling. Let no low witticism escape your lips. Even
the thoughts are not to be allowed to run riot. They must be restrained,
brought into captivity to the obedience of Christ. Let them be placed
upon holy things. Then, through the grace of Christ, they will be pure
and true.
We need a constant sense of the ennobling power of pure thoughts.
The only security for any soul is right thinking. As a man “thinketh
in his heart, so is he.”
Proverbs 23:7
. The power of self-restraint
strengthens by exercise. That which at first seems difficult, by constant
repetition grows easy, until right thoughts and actions become habitual.
If we will we may turn away from all that is cheap and inferior, and
rise to a high standard; we may be respected by men and beloved of
God.