Professional Documents
Culture Documents
DEPORTMENT
by
Vernon Sparks
Copyright © 2009
Vernon Sparks
Published
by
Digital Inspiration
1481 Reagan Valley Road
Tellico Plains, TN 37385
See more articles and books at http://vsdigitalinspiration.com
God’s Plan For Our
Words and Deportment
A
S members of the remnant church we are individually com-
missioned to participate in the giving of the three angels’
messages to the whole world. Every facet of our lives is to
be focused on the sharing of present truth with those about us.
Our deportment and conversation are to reflect that we ourselves
have been transformed by the very truths which we bear.
“Our faith, our dress, and our deportment must be in harmony
with the character of our work, the presentation of the most sol-
emn message ever given to the world. Our work is to win men to
belief of the truth, to win by preaching and by example, also by
living godly lives. The truth in all its bearings is to be acted, show-
ing the consistency of faith with practice. The value of our faith
will be shown by its fruit. The Lord can and will impress men by
our intense earnestness. Our dress, our deportment, our conversa-
tion and the depth of a growing experience in spiritual lines, all
are to show that the great principles of truth we are handling are a
reality to us. Thus the truth is to be made impressive as a great
whole and command the intellect. Truth, Bible truth, is to become
the authority for the conscience and the love and life of the soul.”
Manuscript Releases, vol. 10, 315
Our words and deportment have an immeasurable constantly
spreading influence upon others. How important that the example
of our speech and behavior at all times and in all ways have a
positive, uplifting influence upon those around us!
“This is a responsibility from which we cannot free ourselves.
Our words, our acts, our dress, our deportment, even the expres-
sion of the countenance, has an influence. Upon the impression
thus made there hang results for good or evil which no man can
measure. Every impulse thus imparted is seed sown which will pro-
4 God's Plan For Our Words and Deportment
duce its harvest. It is a link in the long chain of human events,
extending we know not whither. If by our example we aid others
in the development of good principles, we give them power to do
good. In their turn they exert the same influence upon others, and
they upon still others. Thus by our unconscious influence thou-
sands may be blessed.” Christ’s Object Lessons, 339-340
Many of the social and the moral problems of today are the
results of too great familiarity between men and women. How
important it is that our example reveal a better and nobler way!
“I feel impelled by the Spirit of the Lord to urge my sisters
who profess godliness to cherish modesty of deportment and a
becoming reserve, with shamefacedness and sobriety. The lib-
erties taken in this age of corruption should be m criterion for
Christ’s followers. These fashionable exhibitions of familiarity
should not exist among Christians fitting for immortality. It las-
civiousness, pollution, adultery. crime, and murder are the or-
der of the day among those who know not the truth and who
refuse to he controlled by the principles of God’s Word how
important that the class professing to he followers of Christ, closely
allied to God and angels, should show them a better and nobler
way! How important that by their chastity and virtue they! stand
in marked contrast to that class who arc controlled by brute pas-
sions!” Counsels on Health, 613
The lips and hands should not convey even the appearance
of familiarity.
“The man who stands in a position of responsibility in any of
our schools cannot be too careful of his words and his acts.
Never should he allow the least approach to familiarity in his
relations to the students, such as placing his hand on the arm or
shoulder of a girl student. He should in no case give the impres-
sion that commonness and familiarity are allowable. His lips
and his hands are to express nothing that anyone could take ad-
vantage of.” Counsels to Parents, Teachers, and Students, 256-257
The least encouragement of undue familiarity is indication
that self has not been crucified.
God's Plan For Our Words and Deportment 5