Testimonies for the Church, Volume 2 - Ellen G. White

you; for as soon as she utters a sentiment differing
from you, you repel it. You talk so strong that she
has no courage to say another word. You are not
one in heart. You take a position above her and
maintain a bearing as though her judgment and
opinion were of no account. You consider your
spiritual attainments far in advance of hers. My
brother, you do not know yourself. God looks at
the heart, not at the words or profession. The
externals do not weigh with God as with men. A
humble heart and a contrite spirit God values. Our
Saviour is acquainted with the life conflicts of
every soul. He judgeth not according to
appearances, but righteously.
Your spirit is strong. When you take a position
you do not weigh the matter well and consider
what must be the effect of your maintaining your
views and in an independent manner weaving them
into your prayers and conversation, when you
know that your wife does not hold the same views
that you do. Instead of respecting the feelings of
your wife, and kindly avoiding, as a gentleman
would, those subjects upon which you know you
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