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We are to Behave Ourselves Wisely, November 5
I will behave myself wisely in a perfect way.... I will walk within my
house with a perfect heart.
Psalm 101:2
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None are to be forward or obtrusive, but we are quietly to live out
our religion, with an eye single to the glory of God.... Then we shall
shine as lights in the world, without noise or friction. None need fail;
for One is with them who is wise in counsel, excellent in working, and
mighty to accomplish His designs. He works through His agents, seen and
unseen, human and divine. This work is a grand work, and will be carried
forward to the glory of God, if all who are connected with it will make
their works correspond to their profession of faith. Purity of thought must
be cherished as indispensable to the work of influencing others. The soul
must be surrounded by a pure, holy atmosphere, an atmosphere that will
tend to quicken the spiritual life of all who inhale it.
Jesus is honored or dishonored by the words and deportment of His
professed followers. The heart must be kept pure and holy, for out of it
are the issues of life. If the heart is purified through obedience to the truth,
there will be no selfish preferences, no corrupt motives. There will be no
partiality, no hypocrisy....
In the present state of society, with the lax morals of not only youth but
those of age and experience, there is great danger of becoming careless,
and giving especial attention to favorites, and thus creating envy, jealousy,
and evil-surmising. But few realize that they drive away the Spirit of
God with their selfish thoughts and feelings, their foolish, trifling talk....
If the grace of Christ were planted in their hearts, and striking its roots
down deep into good soil, they would bear fruit of an altogether different
character.... The converting power of God is alone sufficient to establish
pure principles in the heart, so that the wicked one may find nothing to
assail.... Purity in speech, and true Christian courtesy should be constantly
practised
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Letter 74, 1896, 91
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