"
But the man who has been thus snared by Satan forgets his own
past miserable state, and boasts of his righteousness, and thanks
God that he was never as other men, and he begins to beat his
fellow-servants with heavy denunciations, and thrust them through
with sharp criticisms, and pelt them with hard words. He ceases
to pity, and begins to condemn; he no longer warns and entreats
men in tender love, but is quick to believe evil, and swift to
pass judgment, not only upon their actions, but upon their
motives as well.
True charity has no fellowship with deeds of darkness. It never
calls evil good, it does not wink at iniquity, but it is as far
removed from this sharp, condemning spirit as light is from
darkness, as honey is from vinegar. It is quick to condemn sin,
but is full of saving, long-suffering compassion for the sinner.
2. A humble, teachable mind marks those in whom the Holy Spirit
dwells. They esteem very highly in love those who are over them
in the Lord, and are glad to be admonished by them. They submit
themselves one to the other in the fear of the Lord, welcome
instruction and correction, and esteem "open rebuke better than
secret love" (Proverbs xxvii. 5). They believe that the Lord has
yet many things to say unto them, and they are willing and glad
for Him to say them by whom He will, but especially by their
leaders and their brethren.
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