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The Ministry of Health and Healing
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 escapes 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 on
“that noble name by which you are called.”
James 2:7
.
Study carefully the divine-human character, and constantly in-
quire, “What would Jesus do were He in my place?” This should be
the measurement of our duty. Do not place yourself needlessly in
the society of those who by their arts would weaken your purpose
to do right or lead you to bring a stain upon your conscience. Do
nothing among strangers, whether in the street or in the home, that
would have the least appearance of evil. Do something every day
to improve, beautify, and ennoble the life that Christ has purchased
with His own blood.
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 must not 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
person “thinks 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 others and beloved of God.
Speak Well of Others
Cultivate the habit of speaking well of others. Dwell upon the
good qualities of those with whom you associate, and see as little as
possible of their errors and failings. When tempted to complain of