2017 Series – Removing Delusions

and Fallacies
1. The Trinity Doctrine
2. Sentimentalism
3. Legal Formalism
4. Doctrinal Indifference
5. The Delusion of “The Church Will Go Through”
6. The Delusion of Superiority
7. The Delusion of Immunity to the Flesh
8. The Delusion of Finding Fault

When God Gives Up

MAY 4

Posted by The Typist

Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. The whole point of Jesus coming to earth was to set the
captives free, to set us free from bondage. We considered on Sabbath that we’ve been praying for the
Holy Spirit and if we receive the Holy Spirit, then where the Spirit of the Lord is there will be freedom
and liberty. Therefore we should give our fellowmen freedom and liberty and not to crowd other
people’s minds with our minds and not to dominate other people’s minds but give them freedom.

Luke 9:51 And it came to pass, when the time was come that he should be received up, he steadfastly
set his face to go to Jerusalem, 52 And sent messengers before his face: and they went, and entered
into a village of the Samaritans, to make ready for him. 53 And they did not receive him, because his
face was as though he would go to Jerusalem. 54 And when his disciples James and John saw this,
they said, Lord, wilt thou that we command fire to come down from heaven, and consume them, even
as Elias did? 55 But he turned, and rebuked them, and said, Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are
of. 56 For the Son of man is not come to destroy men’s lives, but to save them. And they went to
another village.

The disciples were upset because a certain village did not take their message or receive and appreciate
the person who they appreciated. They were annoyed and they wanted to kill these people. They
wanted them destroyed and the Lord said, “You don’t know what manner of spirit you are of.” Where
the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty, for the Son of Man has not come to destroy man’s lives. I really
appreciate the characteristics of God displayed in Jesus Christ because He is a real gentleman who really
respects what you want to do.

It is no part of Christ’s mission to compel men to receive Him. It is Satan, and men actuated by his
spirit, that seek to compel the conscience… There can be no more conclusive evidence that we possess
the spirit of Satan than the disposition to hurt and destroy those who do not appreciate our work or
who act contrary to our ideas. Desires of Ages p. 487

Christ did not come to compel you and me and yet His freedom and His love is somewhat compelling
because it’s not compelling. Don’t you love that? I love it too; I want that because there is freedom
there.

No one can serve God by proxy. There are so many who seem to think that there is someone in this
world stronger than Christ, upon whom they can lean. And instead of coming right to Christ, just as
they are, giving themselves unreservedly to Him, they reach out for human help. God wants us to
have an individual experience . . .. I cannot work out a character for you, and you cannot work out a
character for me. {OHC 90.2}

The gospel deals with individuals. Every human being has a soul to save or to lose. Each has
individuality separate and distinct from all others. Each must be convicted for himself, converted for
himself. He must receive the truth, repent, believe, and obey for himself. He must exercise his will for
himself. . . . Each must surrender to God by his own act. {OHC 90.3}

In the Garden of Eden man sinned and was separated from God. Now who separated from whom?
When we sin, we think God runs away from us and says, “Oh, I don’t want to touch sin” and he flees
away. No, sin is sin when we leave God. That is sin. It is sin for the transgressor to leave God. Man was
free to make a choice. God put two trees in the garden because man was free. Man had a door out of
God’s plan. He had the choice to go somewhere else and that proved that man was free. Some think,
why did God put this tree in the garden and tell them not to eat and allow Satan to come? Well, if he
didn’t, man would not be free. If you’re in a reality that has no exit, you’re bound. But if there is an exit
to that reality, to that mindset, then you’re free to go out. And so God created man perfect and He said,
“Here’s the door if you want it, but don’t do it though, because if you do it you’ll die, but it’s there just
so you can be free. And behold man went out the door and that was sin. That is transgression, to leave
God.

Now what happened? Man sinned, so what did God do? Man ran away and hid in bushes and God came.
The first words ever spoken to sinners were “Where are you?” The first words of scripture tell us that
God came in the cool of the day in Genesis 3:9. And Adam and Eve heard His voice and they ran, and
God says, “Where art thou?” The first scriptures spoken to sinners were “Where are you?” It is as if he is
saying “You’ve left me, we’re separated but I want to come to you.” And do you know the last words of
the Lord ever spoken to sinners in the scriptures? “Surely, I come quickly”. Revelation 22:20. “Where are
you?” is the first He says and then he says, “I’m coming.” But there’s a big gap in the middle. What are
you going to do? Are you going to accept Him or not because if you say, “Here I am Lord”, then the
words are surely, “I come quickly”. I’m coming.

Luke 19:10 For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.

Jesus is looking for us. You know we hide from God in all our activities. We are so busy and we crowd
out the Lord and we hid from Him and we think, “Oh, the Lord doesn’t see”. And the Lord saying,
“Where are you? He knows where we are but He wants us to accept Him in. The Lord knew where Adam
and Eve were but He wanted to come to them. He was seeking them. How many times do we say, ” Well
if they wronged me they had better seek me.” Have you ever had someone wrong you and say, “Well
when they come to apologize to me then I will accept then back.”? Is that God’s attitude? Did God do
anything wrong? No, but who went looking? Who made the effort? It was God. He came to seek and
look for the people who were in bondage. What for? Why did He look for them?

Romans 3:10 As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: [11] There is none that
understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God.

God never sought mankind, nothing would happen. There’d be no restitution of the broken relationship
but God is seeking individuals. He’s seeking because there’s none that seek after God. If you have ever
feel drawn to the Lord and thought “Yes, I really want the Lord”, it’s because He sort you first. That is
why you want Him. It’s because He’s already touched your life. He’s already come to where you are. And
now you want Him. But if He didn’t seek us, then there is no hope and we will perish.

Luke 17:33 Whosoever shall seek to save his life shall lose it

If we want to seek and save ourselves and save my own life by my own efforts, I’m going to lose. But the
text continues and it says,

Luke 17:33 And whosoever shall lose his life shall preserve it.

As Jesus Christ is coming to seek us and calling “Where are you?”, He’s coming to us to give us an option.
“Do you want to go your way again or do you want to come to me and have my life and way? What do u
want?” If we seek to save our own life, we’re going to lose it. But if we’re going to give up our life and
follow the life of Christ, then we will preserve the life we have.

God sets before mankind two options.

Deuteronomy 30:19 I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you
life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live:

When our sins have separated us from God, then God starts looking for us and when He comes to us,
He’s coming to us just give us an option again. That is all He is doing. We had the option to start with
and we took the exit out. Now we’re bound. We cannot have any other mentality than that of this world
and of the devil. So we’re locked in. There’s no exit door. He comes and says, “Okay, I’m going to give
you another door back to where you were, if you want that or not. Because you’ve got into this and
perhaps you didn’t realize what the results were, I’m going to give you another option. I’m going to give
you salvation. I’m going to come to you with the option to come back but it’s your choice.” That’s all He
had done when He came to Earth. He came to seek the people so He could save them and He set before
them life or death.

If you don’t want him and say, “Lord, no.” Then what is the result? There’s a mentality that thinks the
God of the Old Testament is like a dictator that says, “If you didn’t agree with me, I’ll kill you.” and then
Christ, well, He was lovely so they are two different gods: the God of the Old Testament and the God of
the New Testament. But the principle of destruction is simply leaving God. Let us look at this in the Old
Testament in Job 22 and we’ll see what the wrath of God is, God’s destruction that appears to be a
dictatorial.

Job 22:15 Hast thou marked the old way which wicked men have trodden? [16] Which were cut down
out of time, whose foundation was overflown with a flood: [17] Which said unto God, Depart from us:
and what can the Almighty do for them?

What did the people of the flood do? They told God to go away. They told God to depart from us. Leave
us alone. So what can God do? He leaves him. What is the result when the creator of the universe leaves
someone? It is very evident that there’s destruction. What can God do if people say, “No, I don’t want
you.”? What can God do? God respects you if you don’t want Him but what can he do to save you? He
can’t save you.

Jeremiah 17:13 it says O LORD, the hope of Israel, all that forsake thee shall be ashamed, and they
that depart from thee shall be written in the earth, because they have forsaken the LORD, the
fountain of living waters.

For our names to be written on the earth is eternal death because the life giver has been forsaken.

Isaiah 1:28 And the destruction of the transgressors and of the sinners shall be together, and they that
forsake the LORD shall be consumed.
Colossians 1:17 And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.

The word consist simply means held together so the person that holds us together is the creator. He
didn’t just make us and leave us to it. He created us and He sustains, and upholds us and holds us
together by His power. If we say to God, ” I don’t want you” then I can expect anything else than to be
destroyed?

The Bible puts it in another way. When we forsake God what does God have to do? If we say no to God
what does God have to do?

In Romans we see an example of the destruction of the wicked and this is to challenge us to make
decisions personally. If we understand the nature of salvation and the nature of the plan of salvation,
then we’ll understand what our duties before God.

Romans 1:18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and
unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;

What is revealed? The wrath of God is revealed. How is God manifest really? Our human thinking is that
wrath just means you lose your temper and just smash something into bits, losing control of yourself.
But it says “For the wrath of God is revealed”. How is it revealed? Verse 24 of the same chapter it says

Romans 1:24 Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts,
to dishonour their own bodies between themselves:

This is talking about the wicked in their activities and what caused those? What does it say? God also
gave them up. So you say, “God I don’t want you” and He’ll say “Maybe you’re making a bad decision”
and He won’t just run away at the first saying of it but then He’ll say “Okay, I will give you up if that’s
really what you want, if that’s really your decision.”

Sometimes we can make decisions or say things we actually don’t mean. Many people said, “Look, I
want you to go away” and then afterwards, “Ah no I want you to come back”. I remember when I was
young when my mother was disciplining me for misbehaving and because she disciplined me I was
annoyed and I said to her “Mum, I don’t want to ever see you again” and my mum said “Ok that’s fine”
and she shut the door and walked off and I broke down crying because I thought my mum was going to
leave me. I said it because I thought that she could get offended by it and then when she says “Oh good,
okay” and walked off, I realised that she left me because I said I didn’t want her but I did not mean what
I said. I was just saying it because it was the thing to say at the moment. If we really genuinely say to
God from the inner core of our life, “Lord I do not want you. I want to go my own way”, then He will give
us up.
Romans 1:26 For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change
the natural use into that which is against nature:

God gave them up. They wanted to go their own way so God let them alone. We can be in a deception
to think that whatever we’re doing is holding the truth because the wrath of God is revealed from
heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who hold the truth in unrighteousness. This
is referring to religious people, who want to have their ideas yet fail to follow the law in all respects and
say at the end of the day, “Lord, I don’t want you”. Now we may not verbalize it but actions speaks
louder than words and we can tell the Lord we don’t want him by actions repeated and repeated
indicating I don’t want Him and therefore He will give us up.

Romans 1:28 How is the wrath of God revealed “And even as they did not like to retain God in their
knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;”

God lets us have what we want because where the Spirit of the Lord is there is liberty and if the world
does not want the Spirit of God, the Spirit of God will withdraw from the world and the world will fall
apart because it is by His power that all things consist. When the world falls apart they think it is the
wrath of God and it is the wrath of God! It is the wrath of God to leave you to yourself. It’s not an easy
thing for God to do that.

Hosea 11:7 And my people are bent to backsliding from me: though theycalled them to the most High,
none at all would exalt him. [8] How shall I give thee up, Ephraim? How shall I deliver thee, Israel?
How shall I make thee as Admah? How shall I set thee as Zeboim? mine heart is turned within me, my
repentings are kindled together.

The word repenting doesn’t mean that He wished He didn’t make man, it means He’s just sorry, he just
had sorrow. He says, “”My heart is turned inside of me.” This is so painful for me. My beloved creatures,
the people who I love, whom I’ve come to seek, “Where are you guys? I’ve come to save you and now
I’ve come to you, I’ve given you the options and you said, “No I don’t want you.” God says, “Oh how can
I give you up? How can I let u go? My heart is turning inside of me.” But yet He’ll let you go. As painful as
it is to Him He says “Okay, I’m not going to be possessive over you. I’ve given you freedom. You’ve taken
your freedom and I cannot take it from you as much as I would love to make your decisions for you and
pick the right path for you and draw everything to you so you will not have to suffer, I can’t because that
would take away your liberty and where the Spirit of the Lord is there is liberty.”

Hosea 4:17 Ephraim is joined to idols: let him alone.

I’ll leave him alone he is joined to his idols. There is another word for ‘giving up’ and that’s called
‘sparing knot’ or ‘not spare’.
2 Peter 2:4 For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered
them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment;

So what happened? He spared knot the angels, He delivered them or He gave them up, He gave them
over. Who did he do it to? He gave up the angel’s.

2 Peter 2:5, 6 And spared not the old world, but saved Noah the eighth person, a preacher of
righteousness, bringing in the flood upon the world of the ungodly; [6] And turning the cities of
Sodom and Gomorrha into ashes condemned them with an overthrow, making them an ensample
unto those that after should live ungodly.

This is the example of God giving up the old world because they told God to depart from them.

Job 22:17 Which said unto God, Depart from us: and what can the Almighty do for them?

What can the Almighty do? When someone is free to choose, He has to give him or her over. He will ‘not
spare them’ or ‘deliver them’ but let them go. And as He did it to the angels, as He did it at the time of
the flood, as He did it to the inhabitants of Sodom and Gomorrah, so He will do it again. He will leave
those who do not want Him behind with their sins and withdraw His power and they will fall apart.

Romans 8:31 What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? [32] He
that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give
us all things?

What happened to His Son? He spared not the angels, He spared not the world, He spared not Sodom
and Gomorrah, and He will do it again. He didn’t spare His Son either. Why did He forsake and turn His
back on His Son? Why? So all those that want to forsake their sins could place them on Jesus and Jesus
bore our sins in His body on the tree and was made a curse for us.

What is the curse? The curse is He leaving us, and things deteriorating. We sometimes think that a curse
is some magic spell. It’s just the Creator withdrawing is holding power. When men want to fiddle with
God’s creation and modify everything and make thorns on things or make animals into what God didn’t
make them. He’ll let him do that. He’ll give them over and this world will fail and fall apart because we
have broken the everlasting covenant.

When God left His Son, what happened to Him? His heart broke. It burst inside of Him, and He died. He
cried on the cross, “My God why have you forsaken me” He was forsaken of God because of our sins. He
asks, “Do you want your sins?” If we want our sins, then God will give us over to them, if not, He will give
Jesus over to them.

Isaiah 55:6 Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near: [7] Let the
wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and
he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.

God is seeking us, but if we do not feel after Him or seek Him back, then He will leave. Seek Him while
He can be found because there is a time coming when He won’t be found. He’ll withdraw himself. Just
like anybody who’s asked to leave will respectfully go. God will go, but if we seek Him and hang on to His
ankles and say “I’m not letting you go. I don’t want to let you go God. You’ve come to seek me, and I’ll
want you.” Then you have to forsake on your sins. You can’t have your sins and Jesus. You can’t do it.
You got to give them up and have Jesus or give Jesus up and have the sins. If we don’t want Him, He’ll
give us up to our sins but if we make the decision that He wants us to make then we will ever be with
the Lord.

1 Thessalonians 4:17 Then we which are alive [and] remain shall be caught up together with them in
the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. 4 Wherefore comfort
one another with these words.

God is asking “Where are you because I want you to stay with me forever. That’s why I’m looking for you
and I will come quickly to your situation if you will have me.”   We need to understand is the power of
our will, the power of our decision.

The tempted one needs to understand the true force of the will. This is the governing power in the
nature of man–the power of decision, of choice. {MH 176.1}

Tempted souls that are discouraged need to understand the power of their choice and will and when we
understand how powerful the will is, we will put our will on the side of God’s will and choose Him. So
many people desire to be like Him but they don’t choose Him.

Everything depends on the right action of the will. Desires for goodness and purity are right, so far as
they go; but if we stop here, they avail nothing. Many will go down to ruin while hoping and desiring
to overcome their evil propensities. They do not yield the will to God. They do not choose to serve
Him. {MH 176.1}

The message is choose you this day. Don’t choose somebody else. Choose you this day who you are
going to serve. If God is God, better serve Him because He’s holding your life together but if He’s not
God to you, if the world is your god. If money is your god, if pleasures a god. Well serve that, but know
they won’t hold you together. So it is your choice.
I pray that we can renew our choice every day. This is something that we need to go over and over
again. Choose this day who you will serve. As for me, and my house we will serve the Lord.

Amen.

SDA Reformers and Gossip

John 17:17

SEP 10
Posted by The Typist

Some people thrive on gossip and the faults of others and think and talk of that more
than Jesus. They love spreading rumours true and false and tell those that don’t need
to know. They speak the name Jesus but don’t know him. Here’s a good article on this
topic to help those destined for the lake of fire.

When anyone comes to you with a tale about your neighbor, you should refuse to
hear it. You should say to him, “Have you spoken of this matter to the individual
concerned?” Tell him he should obey the Bible rule, and go first to his brother,
and tell him his fault privately, and in love. If the directions of God were carried
out, the floodgates of gossip would be closed. {OHC 293.2}
When the mind dwells upon self, it is turned away from Christ, the source of
strength and life. Hence it is Satan’s constant effort to keep the attention diverted
from the Saviour and thus prevent the union and communion of the soul with
Christ. The pleasures of the world, life’s cares and perplexities and sorrows, the
faults of others, or your own faults and imperfections—to any or all of these he
will seek to divert the mind. SC 71.2}
You may feel it no sin to gossip and talk nonsense, but this grieves your Saviour,
and saddens the heavenly angels. {KC 64.1}

Those who criticize and condemn one another are breaking God’s
commandments, and are an offense to Him. They neither love God nor their
fellow beings. Brethren and sisters, let us clear away the rubbish of criticism and
suspicion and complaint, and do not wear your nerves on the outside. Some are
so sensitive that they cannot be reasoned with. Be very sensitive in regard to
what it means to keep the law of God, and in regard to whether you are keeping
or breaking the law. It is this that God wants us to be sensitive about (GCB April
1, 1903).

We are not to be tattlers, or gossipers, or talebearers; we are not to bear false

witness. We are forbidden by God to engage in trifling, foolish conversation, in
jesting, joking, or speaking any idle words. We must give an account of what we
say to God. We will be brought into judgment for our hasty words that do no
good to the speaker or to the hearer. Then let us all speak words that will tend to
edification. Remember that you are of value with God. Allow no cheap, foolish
talk or wrong principles to compose your Christian experience. {FE 458.1}

There are some, both men and women, who gossip more than they pray. They
have not clear spiritual discernment. They are far from God. When they talk
with the patients, their attitude seems to say, Report and we will report it. {MM
212.4}

Proverbs 26:20 Where no wood is, [there] the fire goeth out: so where [there is]
no talebearer, the strife ceaseth. 22 The words of a talebearer [are] as wounds,
and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly. 23 Burning lips and a
wicked heart [are like] a potsherd covered with silver dross. 24 He that hateth
dissembleth with his lips, and layeth up deceit within him; 25 When he speaketh
fair, believe him not: for [there are] seven abominations in his heart.
Here is a person who hates but what does he do? He dissembles with his lips. There’s
a brother you don’t like even though you’re kind to him, but inside you don’t really
like him. Then with your lips you dissemble him, pull him apart, talk about him. This
is tale bearing. This is what happens if you hate your brother. You’ll pull him apart in
your speech between one another or to others. That is a sign of hatred in your heart
whether you acknowledge it or not.
Gossipers and news-carriers are a terrible curse to neighborhoods and churches.
Two-thirds of all the church trials arise from this source. {SA 162.1}

Two thirds of church trials arise from gossip. The prayer of Christ is that we
could be perfected in one. That we can be right, stand for that which is right and
yet come together in total harmony without eating each other or pulling out each
other’s’ beams, motes or anything else we see amongst each other. Satan wants to
create problems and he thinks a good way to bring 66% in the church is to get
some talking happening. Isaiah describes the experience of gossip.
Isaiah 59:1 Behold, the LORD’S hand is not shortened, that it cannot save;
neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear: 2 But your iniquities have separated
between you and your God, and your sins have hid [his] face from you, that he
will not hear. 3 For your hands are defiled with blood, and your fingers with
iniquity; your lips have spoken lies, your tongue hath muttered perverseness. 4
None calleth for justice, nor [any] pleadeth for truth: they trust in vanity, and
speak lies; they conceive mischief, and bring forth iniquity.

Here is a description of slaying with blood without literally doing it. You can say I
haven’t killed anybody but here muttering perverseness and no one calls for justice.
Isn’t that true when two people are talking negatively about another person, the other
person never corrects the first for murder because it doesn’t seem like murder. None
calls for justice. It’s unjust to do such things, but no one cares. It says they conceive
mischief. What does conceive mean? They give birth, they make it up.
Isaiah 59:5 They hatch cockatrice’ [snakes] eggs, and weave the spider’s web: he
that eateth of their eggs dieth, and that which is crushed breaketh out into a
viper.

Here is a conception, a spreading of eggs of a pest. What cane toads do in

Queensland, gossip does in the church. How can you pull it back? It’s a conception.

We must learn to place the best possible construction upon doubtful conduct of
others. . . . If we are ever suspecting evil we are in danger of creating what we
allow ourselves to suspect. . . . {OHC 237.2}

Do you have a problem with your brother? Do you think they don’t like you because
you don’t like them? Do you talk about them? Do they hear that you’ve talked about
them and then they really don’t like you when before they didn’t have a problem with
you? You just assumed they did. In talking about them you’ve created the problem
that you perceived to be wrong, where before God it may have been the right action.

We cannot pass along without sometimes having our feelings hurt and our
temper tried, but as Christians we must be just as patient, forbearing, humble,
and meek as we desire others to be. Oh, how many thousand good acts and deeds
of kindness that we receive . . . pass from the mind like dew before the sun, while
imaginary or real injury leaves an impression which it is next to impossible to
efface! The very best example to give to others is to be right ourselves, {OHC
237.2}

The best way to help your brother get the mote out of his eye is to be right yourself
and get the beam out of yours. That’s the best thing you can do.

… and then leave ourselves, our reputation, with God and not show too great
anxiety to right every wrong impression and present our case in a favorable light.
. . . {OHC 237.2}
The neglect to cultivate tender consideration and forbearance for one another
has caused dissension, distrust, faultfinding, and general disunion. God . . . calls
upon us to put away this great sin and to strive to answer the prayer of Christ
that His disciples may be one as He is one with the Father. . . . It is the special
work of Satan to cause dissension, . . . that the world should be deprived of the
most powerful testimony Christians can give it that God has sent His Son to
bring into harmony turbulent, proud, envious, jealous, bigoted minds. . . . {OHC
237.3}

66% of church problems arise through gossip and talking. We all want to answer to
prayer of Christ, so we need to consider the workings of gossip. Satan’s special work
is to conceive and bring forth mischief, create something that’s not real. How did
Satan do this in Heaven? Do you know how Heaven fell into disarray? The capital of
this Universe had war in it. How did it happen? Listen carefully, because how the pen
of inspiration describes this is exactly how it happens in the church.

Leaving his place in the immediate presence of the Father, Lucifer went forth to
diffuse the spirit of discontent among the angels. He worked with mysterious secrecy,
and for a time concealed his real purpose under an appearance of reverence for God.

The spirit of gossip and talebearing is one of Satan’s special agencies to sow
discord and strife, to separate friends, and to undermine the faith of many in the
truthfulness of our positions. {AH 441.1}

Closely allied to gossip is the covert insinuation, the sly innuendo, by which the
unclean in heart seek to insinuate the evil they dare not openly express. Every
approach to these practices the youth should be taught to shun as they would shun the
leprosy. {Ed 236.3}

According to the Spirit of Prophecy we can be straining gnats and eating humans.
This is what God is saying is a huge problem; 66% of church problems come because
of this. If someone talks to you with reverence of the lovely things of God and then
just drops in a few slights about the character of somebody else, does your perception
of that other person change the next time you see them? Has that happened to you?
The problem has been created. It doesn’t actually exist. Even if it does, it’s a gnat, not
a camel. The problem of talking about the negativities of other people should be
shunned like leprosy, yet it’s never talked about because it’s socially acceptable to
gossip and talking about somebody else. To think you have insight on someone else or
that you know what other people are doing in the church. Someone can say a few very
minor things, but your mind will just change. If you sense your mind changing against
your brother pray to God, because Satan is working upon your mind against the
people that are close to you. We shouldn’t talk negatively about anybody. We can talk
about the evils of the Catholic Church, but it is the problem of talking about the evils
of the person that you naturally don’t like that we are addressing here. What happens
within. We shouldn’t talk negatively about anybody. We should uplift the truth.
Should we even listen if people talk negatively about someone else?

When we listen to a reproach against our brother, we take up that reproach. To

the question, “Lord, who shall abide in Thy tabernacle? who shall dwell in Thy
holy hill?” the psalmist answered, “He that walketh uprightly, and worketh
righteousness, and speaketh the truth in his heart. He that backbiteth not with
his tongue, nor doeth evil to his neighbor, nor taketh up a reproach against his
neighbor.” {5T 58.1}

Who is going to be in heaven? Those that don’t even listen to negativity about their
brethren even if they are right. God is in his Church, he will work upon that person.
Your love, kindness and own strictness upon yourself will speak more than any of
your words could ever do. I’m not suggesting you become slack and ecumenical, be
strict with yourself and compassionate to others.

What a world of gossip would be prevented if every man would remember that
those who tell him the faults of others will as freely publish his faults at a
favorable opportunity. {5T 58.2}

Would you like your faults to be published to other people? If someone talks of
someone else’s problem to you, you wouldn’t want to listen to it because if they knew
your problems that person would go and tell it to somebody else. What a world of
gossip would be prevented if people would remember this.
I saw that the very spirit of perjury, that would turn truth into falsehood, good
into evil, and innocence into crime, is now active. Satan exults over the condition
of God’s professed people. While many are neglecting their own souls, they
eagerly watch for an opportunity to criticize and condemn others. All have
defects of character, and it is not hard to find something that jealousy can
interpret to their injury. “Now,” say these self-constituted judges, “we have facts.
We will fasten upon them an accusation from which they can not clear
themselves.” They wait for a fitting opportunity and then produce their bundle
of gossip and bring forth their tidbits. {5T 94.3}

Are you storing up little problems for the right time when you can say, way back then
they did this and therefore they should be dealt like this? What’s been happening all
that time in your life?

In their efforts to carry a point, persons who have naturally a strong imagination
are in danger of deceiving themselves and deceiving others. They gather up
unguarded expressions from another, not considering that words may be uttered
hastily and hence may not reflect the real sentiments of the speaker. But those
unpremeditated remarks, often so trifling as to be unworthy of notice, are viewed
through Satan’s magnifying glass, pondered, and repeated until molehills
become mountains. {5T 95.1}

Someone may have said something wrong, but it might have been a hasty remark that
they weren’t really thinking about. Then it travels on to this person and that person
and suddenly it is a huge problem that actually doesn’t even exist. It’s blindness.

Separated from God, the surmisers of evil become the sport of temptation. They
scarcely know the 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. {5T 95.1}
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? {5T 95.2}

Shall we be Satan’s helpers? Satan is blind and if we are blind he will lead us and we
will both fall into the ditch. When we look at our lives we may think that we’ve talked
to people and come across wrong or have thought negatively about someone. Then
when you come to fellowship you see it all in a different light. This is the hallmark of
blindness. The good thing is that Jesus came to open the eyes of the blind. If we feel
condemned about something that we’ve done, it’s a good thing because we were
condemned already before we even knew it. Now is an opportunity to repent before
God. John the Baptist’s and Jesus Christ’s message was repent, repent for the
kingdom of God is at hand. Repentance is a prerequisite of being ready for Jesus to
come. When we realise that we are blind and have defamed other people, repent. Here
is a blind man, who realised that he was blind.

Let not your ears listen to gossip from any one. If all would refuse to hear evil of
their neighbor, the tale-bearer would soon seek other employment. {HS 122.3}

They will not go from house to house to engage in fashionable gossip, dwelling
upon the faults, wrongs, and inconsistencies of their neighbors. They will feel so
great a burden of care for their own children that they can find no time to take
up a reproach against their neighbor. {AH 250.1}

We think with horror of the cannibal who feasts on the still warm and trembling
flesh of his victim; but are the results of even this practice more terrible than are
the agony and ruin caused by misrepresenting motive, blackening reputation,
dissecting character? Let the children, and the youth as well, learn what God
says about these things: “Death and life are in the power of the tongue.” {AH
440.5}
The spirit of gossip and talebearing is one of Satan’s special agencies to sow
discord and strife, to separate friends, and to undermine the faith of many in the
truthfulness of our positions. {AH 441.1}
Satan has many helpers. Many who profess to be Christians are aiding the
tempter to catch away the seeds of truth from other hearts. Many who listen to
the preaching of the word of God make it the subject of criticism at home. They
sit in judgment on the sermon as they would on the words of a lecturer or a
political speaker. The message that should be regarded as the word of the Lord
to them is dwelt upon with trifling or sarcastic comment. The minister’s
character, motives, and actions, and the conduct of fellow members of the
church, are freely discussed. Severe judgment is pronounced, gossip or slander
repeated, and this in the hearing of the unconverted. Often these things are
spoken by parents in the hearing of their own children. Thus are destroyed
respect for God’s messengers, and reverence for their message. And many are
taught to regard lightly God’s word itself. {COL 45.1}
When these tea and coffee users meet together for social entertainment, the
effects of their pernicious habit are manifest. All partake freely of the favorite
beverages, and as the stimulating influence is felt, their tongues are loosened, and
they begin the wicked work of talking against others. Their words are not few or
well chosen. The tidbits of gossip are passed around, too often the poison of
scandal as well. These thoughtless gossipers forget that they have a witness. An
unseen Watcher is writing their words in the books of heaven. All these unkind
criticisms, these exaggerated reports, these envious feelings, expressed under the
excitement of the cup of tea, Jesus registers as against himself. “Inasmuch as ye
have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.”
[MATT. 25:40.] {CTBH 36.1}
If the time that is worse than wasted in gossip, in ministering to pride, or for the
gratification of appetite, were devoted with equal interest to the study of the
Bible, what encouragement would be given to our Sabbath schools! {CSW 42.1}
The teacher can do much to discourage that evil habit, the curse of the
community, the neighborhood, and the home–the habit of backbiting, gossip,
ungenerous criticism. In this no pains should be spared. Impress upon the
students the fact that this habit reveals a lack of culture and refinement and of
true goodness of heart; it unfits one both for the society of the truly cultured and
refined in this world and for association with the holy ones of heaven. {Ed 235.3}
Closely allied to gossip is the covert insinuation, the sly innuendo, by which the
unclean in heart seek to insinuate the evil they dare not openly express. Every
approach to these practices the youth should be taught to shun as they would
shun the leprosy. {Ed 236.3}
You may feel it no sin to gossip and talk nonsense, but this grieves your Saviour,
and saddens the heavenly angels. {FE 457.2}
The disposition to gossip, which is so wide-spread, is displeasing to God. If those
who indulge in unkind criticism or idle talk could realize that an angel of God is
noting down their words, and that all are to appear against them in the
Judgment, they would be far more careful as to what is entered on that book of
records. How must the continual fault-finding appear to the heavenly messengers
who are sent forth to minister to God’s people. Would that the eyes of all might
be opened, that they might see the holy angels walking among them. Surely they
would be more guarded; instead of judging their brethren and sisters, and
talking of their weaknesses, they would be seeking God with the whole heart. {HS
213.1}
We are exhorted to love as brethren, to be kind, courteous, forbearing, in honor
preferring one another. Love for God and for one another constitutes the divine
credentials which the children of God bear to the world. “By this,” said Jesus,
“shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.”
Those who cherish this love will sacredly guard the interests of one another. No
evil reports will be carried; tattling and gossip will cease; Christ and the truth
will be magnified. {HS 214.1}
None who continue to cherish a querulous, fault-finding disposition can enter
heaven; for they would mar its peace and harmony. They will be left outside the
city of God, with all who stir up strife. Nor should they be permitted to remain in
the church to prevent unity and destroy its usefulness. Let them be reproved, and
if they do not change their course, let them be separated from the church. But all
may, if they will, conquer these evil traits. The members of the church should
pledge themselves to walk together in harmony. Each should set a guard over his
own heart, not permitting himself to think evil of his brethren, but giving them
credit for all the good qualities they possess. We should store the mind with the
precious promises and instructions of God’s word. When Satan seeks to divert
the attention to things of no profit, then we should think and talk of these
heavenly promises, and the tempter will be vanquished. By thus battling day by
day, with earnest prayer and determined faith, all may gain the victory. Those
who have most to overcome will be like the sinner to whom Christ forgave much,
and who loved much; and they will at last stand nearest to the throne. {HS 214.2}
I wish we could have a pledge in our hearts that we would not utter any one word
against a brother or a sister. Remember that they also are tempted, it may be
more strongly than you. . . . Those who are really the most erring are in greatest
need of your help. Do not gossip about them and make remarks about their
character, but go to them in the love of Jesus and the love of the truth and try to
help them. . . . {HP 289.2}
I saw that when sisters who are given to talk get together, Satan is generally
present; for he finds employment. He stands by to excite the mind and make the
most of the advantage he has gained. He knows that all this gossip and
talebearing and revealing of secrets and dissecting of character separates the soul
from God. It is death to spirituality and a calm religious influence. {2MCP 779.1}
Sister_____ sins greatly with her tongue. She ought by her words to have an
influence for good, but she frequently talks at random. Sometimes her words put
a different construction upon things than they will bear. Sometimes there is
exaggeration. Then there is misstatement. There is no intention to misstate, but
the habit of much talking and talking upon things that are unprofitable has been
so long cherished that she has become careless and reckless in her words and
frequently does not know what she is stating herself. This destroys any influence
for good she might have. It is time there was an entire reform in this respect. Her
society has not been prized as it would have been had she not indulged in this
sinful talking.–2T 185, 186 (1868). {2MCP 779.2}
Pouring Troubles Into Human Ears.–Sometimes we pour our troubles into
human ears, tell our afflictions to those who cannot help us, and neglect to
confide all to Jesus, who is able to change the sorrowful way to paths of joy and
peace.–ST, Mar 17, 1887. (HC 97.) {2MCP 779.3}
When anyone comes to you with a tale about your neighbor, you should refuse to
hear it. You should say to him, “Have you spoken of this matter to the individual
concerned?” Tell him he should obey the Bible rule, and go first to his brother,
and tell him his fault privately, and in love. If the directions of God were carried
out, the floodgates of gossip would be closed. {OHC 293.2}
If all would cease gossip and evil communication, devoting the time to
contemplation of Christ and the plan of salvation, they would add the knowledge
essential to a growth in grace. We are to add knowledge from “whatsoever things
are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report.”
God wants us to understand why He has placed us in the world, and given us the
sacred burden of life to bear. He would have us develop the faculties of mind and
body, that we may be a blessing to those around us, and that His glory may be
reflected from us to the world. It is not His will that our powers should be bound
up in torpid stupidity and ignorance. “God is light, and in him is no darkness at
all.” {PCP 17.3}
You should obtain for apprentices those who are promising youth, those who
love God. But if you place them in connection with others who have no love for
God, they are in constant danger from the irreligious influence. The halfhearted
and worldly, those who are given to gossip, who dwell on the faults of others,
while neglecting their own, should be separated from the work.–7T 202. {PM
76.4}
We have no time now to talk unbelief and to gossip, no time now to do the devil’s
work. Let everyone beware of unsettling the faith of others by sowing seeds of
envy, jealousy, disunion; for God hears the words, and judges, not by assertions,
which are yea and nay, but by the fruit one’s course of action produces. “By their
fruits ye shall know them” (Matt. 7:20). The seed sown will determine the
character of the harvest.”–Manuscript 32a, 1896. {2SM 71.1}
What cares the vendor of gossip that he defames the innocent? He will not stay
his evil work, though he destroy hope and courage in those who are already
sinking under their burdens. He cares only to indulge his scandal-loving
propensity. Even professed Christians close their eyes to all that is pure, honest,
noble, and lovely, and treasure up what ever is objectionable and disagreeable,
and publish it to the world. {5T 57.2}
What a world of gossip would be prevented if every man would remember that
those who tell him the faults of others will as freely publish his faults at a
favorable opportunity. We should endeavor to think well of all men, especially
our brethren, until compelled to think otherwise. We should not hastily credit
evil reports. These are often the result of envy or misunderstanding, or they may
proceed from exaggeration or a partial disclosure of facts. Jealousy and
suspicion, once allowed a place, will sow themselves broadcast, like thistledown.
Should a brother go astray, then is the time to show your real interest in him. Go
to him kindly, pray with and for him, remembering the infinite price which
Christ has paid for his redemption. In this way you may save a soul from death,
and hide a multitude of sins. {5T 58.2}
Among the lovers of gossip some are actuated by curiosity, others by jealousy,
many by hatred against those through whom God has spoken to reprove them.
All these discordant elements are at work. Some conceal their real sentiments,
while others are eager to publish all they know, or even suspect, of evil against
another. {5T 94.2}
I saw that the very spirit of perjury, that would turn truth into falsehood, good
into evil, and innocence into crime, is now active. Satan exults over the condition
of God’s professed people. While many are neglecting their own souls, they
eagerly watch for an opportunity to criticize and condemn others. All have
defects of character, and it is not hard to find something that jealousy can
interpret to their injury. “Now,” say these self-constituted judges, “we have facts.
We will fasten upon them an accusation from which they can not clear
themselves.” They wait for a fitting opportunity and then produce their bundle
of gossip and bring forth their tidbits. {5T 94.3}
Mutual love and confidence must be encouraged and strengthened in the
members of the church. Let all, in the fear of God and with love to their
brethren, close their ears to gossip and censure. Direct the talebearer to the
teachings of God’s word. Bid him obey the Scriptures and carry his complaints
directly to those whom he thinks in error. This united action would bring a flood
of light into the church and close the door to a flood of evil. Thus God would be
glorified, and many souls would be saved. {5T 609.3}
Let not one evil word escape our lips, because our lips, our voice, belong to the
Lord, and must be consecrated to the Lord and to His service. These lips must
not dishonor Jesus, for they belong to Him. He has bought them and I must
speak nothing that will offend Jesus. My ears must be closed to evil. Thus day by
day we can consecrate ourselves to God. The ears must not be defiled by listening
to any gossip that faultfinding ones would have us hear, for I not only cause them
to sin in allowing them to talk of others’ faults, but I sin myself in listening to
them. I can prevent much evil speaking in thus having ears consecrated to God. I
can say before the evil is done, “Let us pray,” then ask God to enlighten both our
minds to understand our true relation to one another and our true relation to
God. {UL 237.3}
-How careful we should be to have our words and actions in harmony with the
sacred truths that God has committed to us! . . . When you are associated with
one another, be guarded in your words. Let your conversation be of such a
nature that you will have no need to repent of it. . . . If a word is dropped that is
detrimental to the character of a friend or brother, never encourage this
evilspeaking; for it is the work of the enemy. Remind the speaker that God’s
Word forbids this kind of conversation.–RH Feb. 25, 1904. {VSS 126.1}
Few are without visible faults; in most persons careful scrutiny will reveal some
defect of character; and upon these defects in others, some professed Christians
delight to dwell. The habit strengthens with indulgence, and a love for gossip
becomes their ruling passion. {RH, August 28, 1883 par. 5}
There are thoughts and feelings suggested and aroused by Satan that annoy even
the best of men; but if they are not cherished, if they are repulsed as hateful, the
soul is not contaminated with guilt, and no other is defiled by their influence.
RH, Mar 27, 1888. {2MCP 432.2}

These plaguing besetting thoughts and feelings. One is envy. Someone in the church
is promoted, is made much of, this eats at you. Why is this particular person so
prominent among us all? This eats. Feelings of envy that won’t leave you. They keep
on besetting us, it generates evil thinking, evil speaking. Evil thinking, the person or
the people in the church or family, we know what is expected but they are not
behaving themselves according to the high standards. They are behaving questionably
and I can’t get it out of my thoughts. These evil things that I think pertain to different
people. I can’t get it out of my thoughts. Then when I am together with friends,
relatives and church members, I can’t stop. I have to gossip. It’s so much part of the
system.

Philippians 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things
[are] honest, whatsoever things [are] just, whatsoever things [are] pure,
whatsoever things [are] lovely, whatsoever things [are] of good report; if [there
be] any virtue, and if [there be] any praise, think on these things.
We are exhorted to love as brethren, to be kind, courteous, forbearing, in honor
preferring one another. Love for God and for one another constitutes the divine
credentials which the children of God bear to the world. “By this,” said Jesus,
“shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.”
Those who cherish this love will sacredly guard the interests of one another. No
evil reports will be carried; tattling and gossip will cease; Christ and the truth
will be magnified. {HS 214.1}
Difficulties are often caused by the vendors of gossip, whose whispered hints and
suggestions poison unsuspecting minds and separate the closest friends. Mischief-
makers are seconded in their evil work by the many who stand with open ears
and evil heart, saying: Report, . . . and we will report it. This sin should not be
tolerated among the followers of Christ. No Christian parent should permit
gossip to be repeated in the family circle or remarks to be made disparaging the
members of the church. {5T 241.4}
We have no time now to talk unbelief and to gossip, no time now to do the devil’s
work. Let everyone beware of unsettling the faith of others by sowing seeds of
envy, jealousy, disunion; “–Manuscript 32a, 1896. {2SM 71.1}
Those who have tasted that the Lord is gracious cannot partake of the dish of
nonsense, and folly, and backbiting. They will say decidedly, Take this dish away.
I do not want to eat such food. It is not the bread from heaven. It is eating and
drinking the very spirit of the devil; for it is his business to be an accuser of the
brethren. FE 458
Romans 2:1 Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that
judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that
judgest doest the same things. 2 But we are sure that the judgment of God is
according to truth against them which commit such things. 3 And thinkest thou
this, O man, that judgest them which do such things, and doest the same, that
thou shalt escape the judgment of God?

Those that judge others, are guilty of the very same act. If we judge others, we are
also guilty of their sin.

James 4:11 Speak not evil one of another, brethren. He that speaketh evil of [his]
brother, and judgeth his brother, speaketh evil of the law, and judgeth the law:
but if thou judge the law, thou art not a doer of the law, but a judge. 12 There is
one lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy: who art thou that judgest
another?
What will God do with people like Dan?
Psalms 101:5 Whoso privily slandereth his neighbour, him will I cut off: him that
hath an high look and a proud heart will not I suffer.

Privily = secrecy of tongue being slanderous. The pride of judging results in being cut
off from God.
To unite with the fault finding element, to be accusers of the brethren, to take up
the reproach they lay at your door is seconding the work of the enemy by playing
yourself into his hands to make his work a success. TM page 266-267
The Lord is testing and proving His people. You may be just as severe and
critical with your own defective character as you please; but be kind, pitiful, and
courteous toward others. 5T 97
All pride must perish, all jealousy be overcome, all ambition for supremacy be
given up, and the meekness and trust of the child be encouraged. 5T 130
He who opens his heart to the suggestions of the enemy in evil surmisings and
jealousy frequently misconstrues this evil-mindedness to be special foresight,
discrimination or discernment to detect guilt and wrong motives in others; he
regards it as a precious gift vouchsafed to him, and he draws apart from his
brethren, with whom he should be in harmony. He climbs upon the judgment
seat and shuts his heart against the one he supposes has erred, as though he
himself were above temptation. Jesus separates from him, and leaves him to walk
in the sparks of his own kindling. {15MR 180.2}

As you do that you forget there are circumstances in people’s lives that you are not
aware of. This spirit of dealing with people in wrong doing is deceptive and harmful.
It is the fruit of an unregenerate heart.

David
Psalms 55:12 For [it was] not an enemy [that] reproached me; then I could have
borne [it]: neither [was it] he that hated me [that] did magnify [himself] against
me; then I would have hid myself from him: 13 But [it was] thou, a man mine
equal, my guide, and mine acquaintance. 14 We took sweet counsel together,
[and] walked unto the house of God in company.

This is the person who praised the Lord and said he hideth them in the pavilion from
the strife of tongues.

Did David Provoke Gossip?

Did David not commit iniquity to provoke gossip? Didn’t he? Oh yes he did. He
provoked slander and reproach. He is speaking like this in the Psalms but although he
provoked slander, reproach and the strife of tongues, what did he do when he was
convinced of sin? As for me, they are all talking about me, they are really ransacking
me but as for me, what am I going to do?

Psalms 55:16 As for me, I will call upon God; and the LORD shall save me. 17
Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and he shall hear
my voice.

That is what he was doing while the other ones were entering into counsel and
condemnation against him. Here is the true hearted Psalmist that had committed
terrible iniquity.

Psalms 51:1 Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness:
according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions. 2
Wash me thoroughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. 3 For I
acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin [is] ever before me.

Isn’t that a reality when a person has done some grievous sins? That reality is always
there

Psalms 51:4 Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done [this] evil in thy
sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, [and] be clear when
thou judgest.

He doesn’t excuse himself, he simply says I have really done your name damage.
What was this Psalm a reference to? This is the Psalm of David the prophet when
Nathan the prophet came unto him after he had gone to Bathsheba. This was iniquity
to the fullest degree. Not only did he commit adultery but he murdered. He has done
this enormous iniquity and he pleads with the Lord like that. What is written in
reference to God’s wonderful care in reference to this?
Psalms 51:15 O Lord, open thou my lips; and my mouth shall show forth thy
praise. 16 For thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give [it]: thou delightest
not in burnt offering. 17 The sacrifices of God [are] a broken spirit: a broken
and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.

The Psalmist expresses his knowledge of God. God I’m going to throw myself into
your arms, I’m broken and contrite and I’m not even going to offer an animal for
sacrifice because you don’t want that. What do you really want? A broken and a
contrite heart. I’m casting myself at your mercy and God will not despise this. He
knew it.

Psalms 51:9 Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities. 10
Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. 11 Cast
me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me. 12 Restore
unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me [with thy] free spirit.

He is totally acknowledging his absolute iniquity and he is throwing himself at the

mercy of God. Then he says Lord I need to be renewed in heart, I need to get clean in
heart that has caused me to do these things. I desire to continue with you.

Psalms 51:13 [Then] will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be
converted unto thee.

It is to such a person and people that Psalms 31:20 applies to. The one who desires the
mercy and glory of God that he may be able to show among the people God’s
wonderful glory. What does the first angel’s message say? Fear God and give him the
glory. It is the person who wants to do that and is committed to that although he falls
into iniquity and says I’ve fallen into dire trouble, I’ve sinned against you and I didn’t
want to, but he pleads with God. This is the principle of whom God will hide from the
pride of man whom God will tuck away in his pavilion from the strife of tongues.

The effort to earn salvation by one’s own works inevitably leads men to pile up
human exactions as a barrier against sin. . {MB 123.1}
I don’t want to sin, so now I am going to exercise my selfism as Apostle Paul was just
writing, and what happens? We pile up human exactions as a barrier against sin.
For, seeing that they fail to keep the law, Ibid

They see it, I can’t keep the law and I am failing.

…they will devise rules and regulations of their own to force themselves to obey.
All this turns the mind away from God to self. Ibid

It’s just what apostle Paul was talking about.

His love dies out of the heart, and with it perishes love for his fellow men. A
system of human invention, Ibid

We pick up on certain things and those notions are harboured and humoured by self
and we do exactly what we are reading.

Human Intervention
…with its multitudinous exactions, will lead its advocates to judge all who come
short of the prescribed human standard. The atmosphere of selfish and narrow
criticism stifles the noble and generous emotions, and causes men to become self-
centered judges and petty spies. Ibid

Do you know this experience? Can you agree, I have been part of this? This is self,
using the broad principles of God’s word and the Spirit of Prophecy in a manner
governed from self. As I do it, this is the story and that happened to the Ephesus
church; I have something against you. What were they doing? They became very
particular on every little detail, on all the ceremonies, the Christian activities and very
slowly as they became concentrated on that, they lost sight of Jesus and the love of
God, and they became judgmental, etc.

Men who were baptised, who were faithful, became like this. This change came
gradually.
…gradually a change came. The believers began to look for defects in others.
{AA 548.1}

Why did they look for defects in others? They were losing sight of Jesus and were
concentrating on a self-motivated examination of the laws and the do’s and don’ts and
principles.

Dwelling upon mistakes, giving place to unkind criticism, they lost sight of the
Saviour and His love. They became more strict in regard to outward ceremonies,
more particular about the theory than the practice of the faith. In their zeal to
condemn others, {AA 548.1}

What does self do? When I see something wrong in me, I will make the other person
look bad so I don’t look so bad myself. That is flesh, that is self.

…they overlooked their own errors. They lost the brotherly love that Christ had
enjoined, and, saddest of all, they were unconscious of their loss. {AA 548.1}

What is the condition of Laodicea? You know not that you are wretched and
miserable, and blind, and naked.

They did not realize that happiness and joy were going out of their lives and that,
having shut the love of God out of their hearts, they would soon walk in
darkness. {AA 548.1}

If that can happen to the early Christian church, can that be our problem? Make not a
single compromise with self. There is my secret. There is the answer to find true
happiness in looking at the minutiae of God’s principles of law and justice and
righteousness.