Sunday
November 10
1. CALMING DOWN OUR EGO
a. What should be kept in mind by those who are always quick to try to dominate others? James 3:1; Mark 9:35.
“God holds everyone responsible for the influence that surrounds his soul, on his own account and on the account of others.”—Counsels to Parents, Teachers, and Students, p. 102.
“Naturally, human beings are self-centered and opinionated. But selfishness disappears from the lives of those who learn the lessons that Christ desires to teach them. They become partakers of the divine nature, and Christ lives in them. They regard all men as brethren, with similar aspirations, capacities, temptations, and trials, craving sympathy and needing assistance.
“Never are we to humiliate a fellow being. When we see that mistakes have been made, we are to do all in our power to help the ones who have erred, by telling them of our own experience—how when we made grave mistakes, patience and fellowship, kindness and helpfulness, on the part of our fellow workers, gave us courage and hope.”—The Signs of the Times, May 11, 1904.
Monday
November 11
2. CULTIVATING A BETTER ATTITUDE
a. What sharp reproofs are provided for those harsh on others while refusing to admit their own mistakes? Ecclesiastes 7:20; James 3:2 (first part).
“Will you not discern your own deficiencies and put on the whole armor of righteousness yourselves? Will you not be just as watchful and critical over your own spirits and temperaments and words as you are over those of others, lest God should be dishonored, and His truth misrepresented? Your discernment would be greatly improved if you would do this. The truth, the living word, would be as a fire shut up in your bones, which would shine forth in clear, unmistakable distinctness, representing Christ to the world. . . .
“Could none of those who have made themselves detectives see the tendency of the position they have taken in endeavoring to become a controlling power? Where was their clear spiritual eyesight? Why could they discern a mote in the eye of a brother, while a beam was in their own eye?”—Testimonies to Ministers, pp. 295, 296.
b. What shows that one has reached a level of moral perfection—and how only is this possible? James 3:2; 1 Corinthians 13:5 (second half).
“Where the unruly tongue finds room to do its unholy work, the joy of the Lord can not abide.
“Let the suspicious ones, who think and speak evil of their brethren, remember that they are doing the devil’s drudgery. Let each member of the church work with earnest determination, and with prayer for help, to cure the diseased member, the tongue. Let every one feel that it is his duty and privilege to pass over little differences and mistakes without comment. Do not magnify the small mistakes made by some one, but think of the good that is in him. Each time these mistakes are thought of and talked about, they grow larger. A mountain is made out of a mole-hill. Ill-feeling and a lack of confidence is the result.”—Australasian Union Conference Record, April 15, 1903.
“Make a covenant with God that you will guard well your words. ‘If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body.’ James 3:2. Remember that a revengeful speech never makes one feel that he has gained a victory. Let Christ speak through you. Do not lose the blessing that comes from thinking no evil.”—Testimonies for the Church, vol. 7, p. 243.
Tuesday
November 12
3. IT STARTS AT THE ROOT
a. Trace the wrong direction that follows when we harbor resentment, and explain the only way to avoid this. Hebrews 12:15; James 3:3–5.
“You have nursed your resentment against your husband and others who have wronged you, but have failed to perceive wherein you have erred and made matters worse by your own wrong course. Your spirit has been bitter against those who have done you injustice, and your feelings have found vent in reproaches and censure. This would give momentary relief to your burdened heart, but it has left a lasting scar upon your soul. The tongue is a little member, but you have cultivated its improper use until it has become a consuming fire.
“All these things have tended to check your spiritual advancement. But God sees how hard it is for you to be patient and forgiving, and He knows how to pity and to help. He requires you to reform your life, to correct your defects. He desires that your firm, unyielding spirit should be subdued by His grace. You should seek the help of God, for you need peace and quiet instead of storm and contention. The religion of Christ enjoins upon you to move less from impulse, and more from sanctified reason and calm judgment.”—Testimonies for the Church, vol. 4, p. 139.
b. What must we realize about the words we utter? James 3:6.
“Your words will declare, your acts will show, where your treasure is.”—Ibid., vol. 1, pp. 698, 699.
“Sister F moves from impulse, and finds fault, and has had too much to say against her brethren and sisters. This will cause confusion in any church.”—Ibid., vol. 2, p. 51.
“Let those who delight to trace words of calumny and falsehood against the servants of Christ remember that God is a witness of their deeds. Their slanderous touch is not profaning soulless vessels but the characters of those whom Christ has purchased by His blood. The hand which traced the characters upon the walls of Belshazzar’s palace keeps faithful record of every act of injustice or oppression committed against God’s people.”—Ibid., vol. 5, pp. 244, 245.
Wednesday
November 13
4. EVEN IF IT HAPPENS TO BE FACTUAL . . .
a. What strong appeals are made concerning a dangerously common tendency in our day? Psalm 15:1–3; 1 Corinthians 13:6.
“The tongue that delights in mischief, the babbling tongue that says, Report, and I will report it, is declared by the apostle James to be set on fire of hell. It scatters firebrands on every side. What cares the vendor of gossip that he defames the innocent? He will not stay his evil work, though he destroy hope and courage in those who are already sinking under their burdens. He cares only to indulge his scandal-loving propensity. Even professed Christians close their eyes to all that is pure, honest, noble, and lovely, and treasure up what ever is objectionable and disagreeable, and publish it to the world.
“You have yourselves thrown open the doors for Satan to come in. You have given him an honored place at your investigation, or inquisition meetings. But you have shown no respect for the excellencies of a character established by years of faithfulness. Jealous, revengeful tongues have colored acts and motives to suit their own ideas. They have made black appear white, and white black. When remonstrated with for their statements, some have said: ‘It is true.’ Admitting that the fact stated is true, does that justify your course? No, no. If God should take all the accusations that might in truth be brought against you, and should braid them into a scourge to punish you, your wounds would be more and deeper than those which you have inflicted on Brother -----. Even facts may be so stated as to convey a false impression. You have no right to gather up every report against him and use them to ruin his reputation and destroy his usefulness. Should the Lord manifest toward you the same spirit which you have manifested toward your brother, you would be destroyed without mercy. Have you no compunctions of conscience? I fear not. The time has not yet come for this satanic spell to lose its power. If Brother ----- were all that you represent him to be—which I know he is not, your course would still be unjustifiable.
“When we listen to a reproach against our brother, we take up that reproach. . . . [Psalm 15:1–3 quoted.]”—Testimonies for the Church, vol. 5, pp. 57, 58.
b. Of seven sins cited as abominations unto the Lord, how many pertain to our words? Proverbs 6:16–19.
Thursday
November 14
5. A WEAPON THAT WOUNDS
a. How and why must we avoid the all-too-common habit of gossiping? Job 6:24; Proverbs 11:13; 26:20–22.
“What a world of gossip would be prevented if every man would remember that those who tell him the faults of others will as freely publish his faults at a favorable opportunity. We should endeavor to think well of all men, especially our brethren, until compelled to think otherwise. We should not hastily credit evil reports. These are often the result of envy or misunderstanding, or they may proceed from exaggeration or a partial disclosure of facts. Jealousy and suspicion, once allowed a place, will sow themselves broadcast, like thistledown. Should a brother go astray, then is the time to show your real interest in him. Go to him kindly, pray with and for him, remembering the infinite price which Christ has paid for his redemption. In this way you may save a soul from death, and hide a multitude of sins.
“A glance, a word, even an intonation of the voice, may be vital with falsehood, sinking like a barbed arrow into some heart, inflicting an incurable wound. Thus a doubt, a reproach, may be cast upon one by whom God would accomplish a good work, and his influence is blighted, his usefulness destroyed. Among some species of animals, if one of their number is wounded and falls, he is at once set upon and torn in pieces by his fellows. The same cruel spirit is indulged by men and women who bear the name of Christians. They manifest a pharisaical zeal to stone others less guilty than themselves. There are some who point to others’ faults and failures to divert attention from their own, or to gain credit for great zeal for God and the church.”—Testimonies for the Church, vol. 5, pp. 58, 59.
“The time that is so often worse than wasted in idle, frivolous, and malicious gossip should be given to higher and nobler objects.”—Ibid., p. 176.
Friday
November 15
PERSONAL REVIEW QUESTIONS
1. Why should I tone down the tendency to be opinionated about everything?
2. Name a vital aspect of Christlike character that is often overlooked.
3. When we discredit fellow believers before others, how does God view it?
4. What do I need to learn from Psalm 15—and why is it important?
5. How may I be guilty of sowing discord among brethren and why must I stop?