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Root Out the Poisonous Plants, June 24
Above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity
shall cover the multitude of sins.
1 Peter 4:8
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How close and tender should be the tie that binds us together! How
careful we should be to have our words and actions in harmony with the
sacred truths that God has committed to us! ...
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.... The Redeemer has told us how we may reveal Him to the
world. If we cherish His spirit, if we manifest His love toward others, if
we guard one another’s interests, if we are kind, patient, forbearing, the
fruits we bear will give evidence to the world that we are God’s children....
To build up one another in the most holy faith is a blessed work; to tear
down is a work full of bitterness and sorrow....
We should seek to lighten one another’s burdens by manifesting the
love of Jesus to those around us. If our conversation were upon heaven
and heavenly things, evilspeaking would soon cease to have any attraction
for us. We would not then be placing our feet upon dangerous ground; nor
would we enter into temptation, falling under the power of the evil one.
Instead of finding fault with others, let us be critical with ourselves.
Every one should inquire, Is my heart right before God? Am I glorifying
my heavenly Father? If you have cherished a wrong spirit, banish it
from the soul. Eradicate from your heart everything that is of a defiling
nature. Pluck up every root of bitterness, lest others be contaminated by
the baleful influence. Do not allow one poisonous plant to remain in the
soil of your heart. Root it out this very hour, and cultivate in its stead the
plant of love. Let Jesus be enshrined in the soul-temple.... “If we love one
another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us.”
1 John 4:12
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