Mind, Character, and Personality Vol. 2 - Second Advent Revival

lording it over God's heritage. A bitter sneer should not rise in any mind or heart. No
tinge of scorn should be heard in the voice. Speak a word of your own; take an
indifferent attitude; show suspicion, prejudice, jealousy; and by mismanagement the
work will be done for a soul.--Lt 50, 1897.
577 {2MCP 576.4}
Faultfinding and Rebukes Encourage Deception. --My brother, your overbearing
words hurt your children. As they advance in years their tendency to criticize will grow.
Faultfinding is corrupting your life and is extending to your wife and to your children.
Your children are not encouraged to give you their confidence or to acknowledge their
faults, because they know that your stern rebuke is sure to follow. Your words are often
as a desolating hail which breaks down tender plants. It is impossible to estimate the
harm thus done. Your children practice deception in order to avoid the hard words you
speak. They will evade the truth to escape censure and punishment. A hard, cold
command will do them no good.--Lt 8a, 1896. (AH 439, 440.) {2MCP 577.1}
Weed Out Every Careless Word.--Remember that by your words you shall be
justified, and by your words condemned. The tongue needs bridling. The words you
speak are seeds sown, which produce fruit either good or evil. Now is your sowing time.
{2MCP 577.2}
The good man, from the good treasure of the heart, bringeth forth good things.
Why? Because Christ is an abiding presence in the soul. The sanctifying truth is a
treasure-house of wisdom to all who practice the truth. As a living spring it is springing
up unto everlasting life. The one who has not Christ abiding in his heart will indulge in
cheap talk, exaggerated statements, that make mischief. The tongue that utters
perverse things, common things, slang phrases, that tongue needs to be treated with
the hot coals of juniper.--MS 17, 1895. {2MCP 577.3}
Grumbling Stunts Growth.--There are men who possess excellent faculties but
who have come to a standstill. They do not go forward to victory. And the ability with
which God has endowed them is of no value to His cause because it is unused. Many
of these men are found among the grumblers. They grumble because, they say, they
are not appreciated. But they do not appreciate themselves
578
sufficiently to cooperate with the Greatest Teacher the world has ever known.--RH, Mar
10, 1903. {2MCP 577.4}
No Critical, Blunt, or Severe Words (counsel to a minister and author).--The
Lord will help every one of us where we need help the most in the grand work of
overcoming and conquering self. Let the law of kindness be upon your lips and the oil of
grace in your heart. This will produce wonderful results. You will be tender, sympathetic,
courteous. You need all these graces. The Holy Spirit must be received and brought
into your character; then it will be as holy fire, giving forth incense which will rise up to