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Self-Control Through Christ, October 6
Good sense makes a man slow to anger, and it is his glory to overlook an
offense.
Proverbs 19:11
, R.S.V.
There is a wonderful power in silence. When impatient words are spoken to
you, do not retaliate. Words spoken in reply to one who is angry usually act as
a whip, lashing the temper into greater fury. But anger met by silence quickly
dies away. Let the Christian bridle his tongue, firmly resolving not to speak harsh,
impatient words. With the tongue bridled, he may be victorious in every trial of
patience through which he is called to pass.
In his own strength man cannot rule his spirit. But through Christ he may gain
self-control. In his strength he may bring his thoughts and words into subjection
to the will of God. The religion of Christ brings the emotions under the control of
reason and disciplines the tongue. Under its influence the hasty temper is subdued,
and the heart is filled with patience and gentleness.
Hold firmly to the One who has all power in heaven and in earth. Though you
so often fail to reveal patience and calmness, do not give up the struggle. Resolve
again, this time more firmly, to be patient under every provocation. And never
take your eyes off your divine Example.
God’s ideal for His children is higher than the highest human thought can
reach. “Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.”
This command is a promise. The plan of redemption contemplates our complete
recovery from the power of Satan. Christ always separates the contrite soul from
sin. He came to destroy the works of the devil. And He has made provision that
the Holy Spirit shall be imparted to every repentant soul to keep him from sinning.
The tempter’s agency is not to be accounted an excuse for one wrong act.
Satan is jubilant when he hears the professed followers of Christ making excuses
for their deformity of character. It is these excuses that lead to sin. A holy temper,
a Christlike life, is attainable by every repenting, believing child of God.—
The
Review and Herald, October 31, 1907
.
Christ gave Himself for the saving of the sinner. Those whose sins are forgiven,
who love Jesus, will be united with Him. They will bear the yoke of Christ. This
yoke is not to hamper them, not to make their religious life one of unsatisfying
toil. No; the yoke of Christ is to be the very means by which the Christian life is
to become one of pleasure and joy. The Christian is to be joyful in contemplation
of that which the Lord has done in giving His only-begotten Son to die for the
world, “that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting
life.”—
Messages to Young People, 138
.
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