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Vital Principles of Relationship
401
influence that this will give us. Moreover, if we feel that we do not
need the counsel of our brethren, we close the door of our usefulness
as counselors to them.
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To every church I would bear the message that man is not to
exalt his own judgment. Meekness and lowliness of heart will lead
men to desire counsel at every step. And the Lord will say, “Take
My yoke upon you, and learn of Me.” It is our privilege to learn of
Jesus. But when men, full of self-confidence, think that it is their
place to give counsel instead of desiring to be counseled by their
experienced brethren, they will listen to voices that will lead them
in strange paths.
The angels of God are in our world, and satanic agencies are
here also. I am permitted to see the inclination of certain ones to
follow their own strong traits of character. If they refuse to yoke up
with others who have had a long experience in the work, they will
become blinded by self-confidence, not discerning between the false
and the true. It is not safe that such ones should stand in the position
of leaders, to follow their own judgment and plans.
It is those who accept the warnings and cautions given them who
will walk in safe paths. Let not men yield to the burning desire to
become great leaders, or to the desire independently to devise and
lay plans for themselves and for the work of God. It is easy for
the enemy to work through some who, having themselves need of
counsel at every step, undertake the guardianship of souls without
having learned the lowliness of Christ. These need counsel from
the One who says, “Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy-
laden.”
Our ministers and leaders need to realize the necessity of coun-
seling with their brethren who have been long in the work, and
who have gained deep experience in the ways of the Lord. The
disposition of some to shut themselves up to themselves, and to feel
competent to plan and execute according to their own judgment and
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preferences, brings them into strait places. Such an independent
way of working is not right, and should not be followed. The minis-
ters and teachers in our conferences are to work unitedly with their
brethren of experience, asking them for their counsel, and paying
heed to their advice.