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Testimonies on Sexual Behavior, Adultery, and Divorce
brethren, that he may be restored to spiritual health. In such cases the
instructions of God’s Word apply: “Brethren, if a man be overtaken
in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of
meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.” “We then
that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to
please ourselves.”
But how little of the pitying tenderness of Christ is manifested
by His professed followers! When one errs, others too often feel at
liberty to make the case appear as bad as possible. Those who per-
haps are guilty of fully as great sins in some other direction, will treat
their brother with cruel severity. Errors committed through ignorance,
thoughtlessness, or weakness are exaggerated into willful, premedi-
tated sin. As they see souls going astray, some fold their hands and
say, “I told you so. I knew there was no dependence to be placed upon
them.” Thus they place themselves in the attitude of Satan, exulting in
spirit that their evil surmisings have proved to be correct.—
Testimonies
for the Church 5:604, 605
.
Love for the Erring—We are not all organized alike, and many
have not been educated aright. Their education has been deficient.
Some have had a quick temper transmitted to them, and their education
in childhood has not taught them self-control. With this fiery temper,
envy and jealousy are frequently united. Others are faulty in other
respects. Some are dishonest in deal, overreaching in trade. Others are
arbitrary in their families, loving to rule. Their lives are far from being
correct. Their education was all wrong. They were not told the sin of
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yielding to the control of these evil traits; therefore sin does not appear
to them so exceedingly sinful. Others, whose education has not been
so faulty, who have had better training, have developed a much less
objectionable character. The Christian life of all is very much affected
for good or for evil by their previous education.
Jesus, our Advocate, is acquainted with all the circumstances with
which we are surrounded and deals with us according to the light we
have had and the circumstances in which we are placed. Some have
a much better organization than others. While some are continually
harassed, afflicted, and in trouble because of their unhappy traits of
character, having to war with internal foes and the corruption of their
nature, others have not half so much to battle against. They pass along
almost free from the difficulties which their brethren and sisters who