Hi

I was thinking of James and John "the sons of thunder" and how they loved Jesus and wanted to defend Him and the Truth but they had the wrong spirit. Right message, wrong spirit. They wanted to "rain fire down" upon anyone who they perceived as hurting Jesus or His message. But Jesus told them "ye know not what spirit ye are of".

I was just thinking about this and wondering if Satan goes out of his way to try to get those he KNOWS HAVE THE TRUE MESSAGE to have the wrong spirit, so as to turn away those who might listen, those who are in error, from listening to us.

Gospel Workers, page 467, paragraph 1
Chapter Title: Morning Talks
It is wise to seek humility and meekness, and carefully to avoid raising a combative spirit, which will close hearts and ears to the truth. Hold your mouth as with a bridle when the wicked are before you. When tempted to say sarcastic things, refrain. Censure no one; condemn no one. Let the life argue for Jesus, and the lips be opened with wisdom to defend the truth. The consistent life, the long forbearance, the spirit unruffled under provocation, is always the most conclusive argument and the most solemn appeal. We are often brought into positions that are trying, where human nature longs to break forth, but in such cases, be still, do not retaliate.

Advent Review and Sabbath Herald, October 14, 1902, paragraph 3
Article Title: Christ the Missionary's Example
And what course shall the advocates of truth pursue? They have the unchangeable, eternal Word of God, and they should reveal the fact that they have the truth as it is in Jesus. Their words must not be rugged and sharp. In their presentation of truth they must manifest the love and meekness and gentleness of Christ. Let the truth do the cutting; the Word of God is as a sharp, two-edged sword, and will cut its way to the heart. Those who know that they have the truth should not, by the use of harsh and severe expressions, give Satan one chance to misinterpret their spirit. As a people we must stand as did the world's Redeemer. When in controversy with Satan in regard to the body of Moses, Christ durst not bring against him a railing accusation. He had every provocation to do this, and Satan was disappointed because he could not arouse in Christ a spirit of retaliation. Satan was ready to misrepresent everything that was done by Jesus; and the Saviour would give him no occasion, not the semblance of an excuse. He would not turn from his straightforward course of truth in order to follow the wanderings, and twistings, and turnings, and prevarications of Satan.

Claudia

Hi Claudia, and thank you for your post.

How many of us have displayed a wrong spirit:

1 - When it comes to either right or wrong contentious issues both within and without the church?

2 - When somebody wronged us?

3 - When somebody flamed us in a post? (I trust there isn't any flaming in MSDAOL)

And the list could go on...and on...and on.

How many of us have also heaved a 20 pound Family Bible on top of somebody's head? (A right message given in the wrong spirit.)

_____________________________________________
"For God so loved Daryl Fawcett that He gave His only
Begotten Son that....."

Daryl

[This message has been edited by Daryl Fawcett (edited December 01, 2000).]

It is so hard to remember the advice of James when we are out interacting with other people. Bridling our tongues must be the hardest task we have to do, yet it is one of the most important if we are to truly show our lives as Christ would want us to.

Thank you Claudia for sharing these thoughts with us.

[This message has been edited by Mrs Sarah Moss (edited December 04, 2000).]