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ti: Testimony for the Church, Number 24

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You have loved to debate the truth, and loved discussions; but
these contests have been unfavorable for you to form a harmonious
Christian character; for in this is a favorable opportunity for the
exhibition of the very traits of character you must overcome if you
ever enter Heaven. Discussions cannot always be avoided. In some cases
the circumstances are such that of the two evils the choice must be
made of the least, which is discussion. But whenever they can be
avoided they should be; for the result is seldom honoring to God.

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ti: Testimony for the Church, Number 24
pg: 134
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The people who love to see opponents combat, may clamor for
discussion. Others, who have a desire to hear the evidences on both
sides, may urge a discussion in all honesty of motives; but whenever
discussions can be avoided they should be. Discussions generally
strengthen combativeness, and weaken that pure love and sacred sympathy
which should ever exist in the hearts of Christians, although they may
differ in opinions.

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ti: Testimony for the Church, Number 24
pg: 134
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Discussions in this age of the world are not real evidences of
earnest desire on the part of the people to investigate the truth, but
come through the love of novelty and the excitement which generally
attends discussions. God is seldom glorified or the truth advanced in
these combats. Truth is too solemn, too momentous in its results, to
make it a small matter whether it is received or rejected. To discuss
truth for the sake of showing opponents the skill of the combatants is
every poor policy, for it does but little to advance the truth.db: 24OT

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ti: Testimony for the Church, Number 24
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Opponents to truth will show skill in misstating their opponent.
They will make the most solemn, sacred truths subjects of ridicule.
They will generally sport and deride and place the truth, precious,
sacred truth, in so false a light before the people, that minds that
are darkened by error and polluted by sin, do not discern the motives
and objects of these designing men to thus cover up and falsify
precious and important truth. There are but few discussions, because of
the men who engage in them, that it is possible to conduct upon right
principles. Sharp thrusts are too frequently given by both parties,
personalities are indulged, and frequently both parties descend to
sarcasm and witticism. The love of souls is lost in the greater desire
for the mastery. Prejudice, deep and bitter, is often the result of
discussions.

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I have beheld angels grieved as the most precious jewels of truth
have been brought before men utterly incapable of appreciating the
evidences in favor of the truth. Their entire being was at war with the
principles of truth. Their natures were at enmity with the truth. Their
object in discussing was not for the sake of getting hold of the
evidences of the truth themselves, or that the people might have a fair
understanding of our true position, but that they might confuse the
understanding by placing the truth in a perverted light before the
people. There are men who have educated themselves as combatants. It is
their policy to misstate an opponent, and cover up clear arguments with
dishonest quibbles. They have devoted their God-given powers to this
dishonest work, for there is nothing in their hearts in harmony with
the pure principles of truth. They seize any argument they can get to
tear down the advocates of truth when they themselves do not believe
the things they urge against them. They bolster themselves up in their
chosen position irrespective of justice and truth. They do not consider
that before them is the Judgment, and that then their ill-gotten
triumph, with all its disastrous results, will appear in its true
character. Error, with all its deceptive policies, its windings and
twistings and turnings to change the truth into a lie, will then appear
in all its deformity. No victory will stand in the day of God except
that which truth, pure, elevated, sacred truth, shall win to the glory
of God.
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Angels weep to see the precious truth of heavenly origin cast
before the swine, to be seized by them and trampled with the mire and
dirt. "Cast not your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under
their feet, and turn again and rend you." These are the words of the
world's Redeemer.