Lesson 8: The Christian’s Attitude

“Satan is working in every church to spoil the flock of God. . . . I am instructed to say to every soul who professes to be a follower of Christ, ‘Keep your tongue from evil, and your lips, that they speak no guile.’ Through self-exaltation Satan works to ruin the soul, and his working may be seen in every church. My brethren and sisters, keep strict guardianship over your spirit. Guard your words, lest Satan lead you to repeat his own history.”— — The Upward Look, p. 114.

“Let not one word of fretfulness, harshness, or passion escape your lips. The grace of Christ awaits your demand. His Spirit will take control of your heart and conscience, presiding over your words and deeds. Never forfeit your self-respect by hasty, thoughtless words. See that your words are pure, your conversation holy.”— — Child Guidance, p. 219.

“When these tea and coffee users meet together for social entertainment, . . . 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.”— — Counsels on Diet and Foods, p. 423.

“[Those to whom the apostle Paul is writing] must reveal in their lives the glorious change wrought in them by Christ’s transforming grace. . . . They could not change their own hearts. And when by their efforts souls were led from the ranks of Satan to take their stand for Christ, they were not to claim any credit for the transformation wrought. . . .

“The power of God is the one element of efficiency in the grand work of obtaining the victory over the world, the flesh, and the devil. . . . Man can accomplish nothing without God, and God has arranged His plans so as to accomplish nothing in the restoration of the human race without the cooperation of the human with the divine. The part man is required to sustain is immeasurably small, yet in the plan of God it is just that part that is needed to make the work a success.

“The great change that is seen in the life of a sinner after conversion is not brought about by any human goodness.”—God’s Amazing Grace, p. 319.

“By faith and prayer all may meet the requirements of the gospel. No man can be forced to transgress. His own consent must be first gained; the soul must purpose the sinful act before passion can dominate over reason or iniquity triumph over conscience. Temptation, however strong, is never an excuse for sin. ‘The eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and His ears are open unto their prayers.’ Cry unto the Lord, tempted soul. Cast yourself, helpless, unworthy, upon Jesus, and claim His very promise. The Lord will hear. He knows how strong are the inclinations of the natural heart, and He will help in every time of temptation.

“Have you fallen into sin? Then without delay seek God for mercy and pardon.”— — Testimonies for the Church, vol. 5, p. 177.

“Words spoken in reply to one who is angry usually act as a whip, lashing the temper into greater fury. But anger met by silence quickly dies away. Let the Christian bridle his tongue, firmly resolving not to speak harsh, impatient words.”— — Messages to Young People, p. 136.

“Jesus Himself never purchased peace by compromise. . . . The servants of Christ are called to the same work, and they should beware lest, in seeking to prevent discord, they surrender the truth. . . . Real peace can never be secured by compromising principle. And no man can be true to principle without exciting opposition. A Christianity that is spiritual will be opposed by the children of disobedience. But Jesus bade His disciples, ‘Fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul.’ Those who are true to God need not fear the power of men nor the enmity of Satan. In Christ their eternal life is secure. Their only fear should be lest they surrender the truth, and thus betray the trust with which God has honored them.”— — The Desire of Ages, p. 356.

“In the Word of God we read that there are good and bad consciences, and the fact that your conscience does not condemn you in not keeping the law of God, does not prove that you are uncondemned in His sight. Take your conscience to the Word of God and see if your life and character are in accordance with the standard of righteousness which God has there revealed.”— — The Review and Herald, September 3, 1901.

“Are the youth in a position where they can with meekness and fear give an answer to every man that asketh a reason of their hope? I saw that the youth greatly fail of understanding our position. Terrible scenes are just before them, a time of trouble which will test the value of character.”— — Testimonies for the Church, vol. 1, p. 507, 508.

“The present message—justification by faith—is a message from God. . . .

“We are not safe if we neglect to search the Scriptures daily for light and knowledge. . . . There is not one in one hundred who understands for himself the Bible truth on this subject that is so necessary to our present and eternal welfare.”— — Selected Messages, vol. 1, p. 359.

“Many look to their ministers to bring the light from God to them. . . . Such lose much. If they would daily follow Christ . . . they might obtain a clear knowledge of His will, and thus be gaining a valuable experience. For want of this very experience, brethren professing the truth walk in the sparks of others’ kindling; they are unacquainted with the Spirit of God and have not a knowledge of His will, and are therefore easily moved from their faith. They are unstable, because they trusted in others to obtain an experience for them.”— — Testimonies for the Church, vol. 2, p. 644.