Testimony Treasures, Volume 2 - Ellen G. White

strength of their feelings or the effect of their words. While condemning the
errors of others, they indulge far greater errors themselves. Consistency is a
jewel.
Is there no law of kindness to be observed? Have Christians been
authorized of God to criticize and condemn one another? Is it honorable, or
even honest, to win from the lips of another, under the guise of friendship,
secrets which have been entrusted to him, and then turn the knowledge thus
gained to his injury? Is it Christian charity to gather up every floating report,
to unearth everything that will cast suspicion on the character of another, and
then take delight in using it to injure him? Satan exults when he can defame
or wound a follower of Christ. He is "the accuser of our brethren." Shall
Christians aid him in his work?
God's all-seeing eye notes the defects of all and the ruling passion of
each, yet He bears with our mistakes and pities our weakness. He bids His
people cherish the same spirit of tenderness and forbearance. True Christians
will not exult in exposing the faults and deficiencies of others. They will turn
away from vileness and deformity, to fix the mind upon that which is
attractive and lovely. To the Christian every act of faultfinding, every word
of censure or condemnation, is painful.
There have always been men and women who profess the truth, who
have not conformed their lives to its sanctifying influence; men who are
unfaithful, yet deceiving themselves and encouraging themselves in sin.
Unbelief is seen in their life, their deportment, and character, and this terrible
evil acts as does a canker.
Criticize Self, Not Others
Would all professed Christians use their investigative powers to see
what evils needed to be corrected in themselves, instead of talking of others'
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