Section 11—Emotional Problems
Chapter 53—Controversy—Positive and Negative (Part 1)
Oneness With God Results in Unity—God is the embodiment of benevolence, mercy, and love. Those who are truly connected with Him cannot be at variance with one another. His Spirit ruling in the heart will create harmony, love, and unity. The opposite of this is seen among the children of Satan. It is his work to stir up envy, strife, and jealousy. In the name of my Master I ask the professed followers of Christ: What fruit do you bear?—Testimonies for the Church 5:28 (1882).
Sowing and Reaping Dissensions—He who scatters the seeds of dissension and strife reaps in his own soul the deadly fruits. The very act of looking for evil in others develops evil in those who look.—The Ministry of Healing, 492 (1905).
Satan Delights in Contention—Satan is constantly seeking to cause distrust, alienation, and malice among God’s people. We shall be often tempted to feel that our rights are invaded when there is no real cause for such feelings…. Contentions, strife, and lawsuits between brethren are a disgrace to the cause of truth. Those who take such a course expose the church to the ridicule of her enemies and cause the powers of darkness to triumph. They are piercing the wounds of Christ afresh and putting Him to an open shame.—Testimonies for the Church 5:242, 243 (1882).
Controversy Leads to Combativeness—The special, deceptive work of Satan has been to provoke controversies, that there might be strivings about words to no profit. He well knows that this will occupy the mind and the time. It raises the combativeness and quenches the spirit of conviction in the minds of many, drawing them into diversity of opinions, accusation, and prejudice, which closes the door to the truth.—The Review and Herald, September 11, 1888. (Evangelism, 155).
Strife Among Brethren Delays Second Advent—For forty years did unbelief, murmuring, and rebellion shut out ancient Israel from the land of Canaan…. It is the unbelief, the worldliness, unconsecration, and strife among the Lord’s professed people that have kept us in this world of sin and sorrow so many years.—Manuscript 4, 1883. (Evangelism, 696.)
No Time for Contention and Strife—Men and women professing to serve the Lord are content to occupy their time and attention with matters of little importance. They are content to be at variance with one another. If they were consecrated to the work of the Master, they would not be striving and contending like a family of unruly children. Every hand would be engaged in service. Every one would be standing at his post of duty, working with heart and soul as a missionary of the cross of Christ…. The workers would carry with them into their service the prayers and sympathies of an awakened church. They would receive their directions from Christ and would find no time for contention or strife.—The Review and Herald, September 10, 1903.
Let not controversy arise over trifles. The spirit of love and the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ will bind heart to heart, if each will open the windows of the heart heavenward and close them earthward.—Letter 183, 1899.
Controversy to Be Laid to Rest—The power of the grace of God will do more for the soul than controversy will do in a lifetime. By the power of the truth how many things might be adjusted and controversies hoary with age find quietude in the admission of better ways. The great, grand principle, “Peace on earth and good will to men,” will be far better practiced when those who believe in Christ are laborers together with God. Then all the little things which some are ever harping upon, which are not authoritatively settled by the Word of God, will not be magnified into important matters.—Letter 183, 1899.
Controversy Excites Self-defense—In His treatment of Thomas, Jesus gave a lesson for His followers. His example shows how we should treat those whose faith is weak and who make their doubts prominent. Jesus did not overwhelm Thomas with reproach, nor did He enter into controversy with him. He revealed Himself to the doubting one. Thomas had been most unreasonable in dictating the conditions of his faith, but Jesus, by His generous love and consideration, broke down all the barriers. Unbelief is seldom overcome by controversy. It is rather put upon self-defense and finds new support and excuse. But let Jesus, in His love and mercy, be revealed as the crucified Saviour, and from many once unwilling lips will be heard the acknowledgment of Thomas, “My Lord and my God.”—The Desire of Ages, 808 (1898).
To Sick Speak No Word of Controversy—At the bedside of the sick no word of creed or controversy should be spoken. Let the sufferer be pointed to the One who is willing to save all that come to Him in faith. Earnestly, tenderly strive to help the soul that is hovering between life and death.
https://m.egwwritings.org/en/book/78.652#652
Dear Heavenly Father, Thank You for the privilege of trusting You in every situation, especially in those designed to promote controversy, especially over issues having nothing to do with salvation, but which robs the spirit of abiding joy. Please bless us to really believe that You love us and mean to do us all good, that we might cease to encourage the enemy of our souls to further wound the cause of Christ. Please bless us to fully embrace the power of Your grace to obey Your commandments, to show our love for You in action, to be apt to do the works of Jesus, and to be always a living witness for You that we ourselves and others might be uplifted and encouraged in rightdoing. Through the power of Your Holy Spirit, please bless us to be all You would have us be and grant us the mind and love of Jesus that others might be drawn to You through how we live and what we say. Because we ask all these in the Awesome name of Your Son, Almighty Jesus the Christ, our Savior, we say Thank You and Amen.
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DID YOU KNOW THIS…?
And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night. — Revelation 12:10 KJV — The WORD OF GOD—It’s the only flesh that is safe to eat (meditate on) to live forever!]
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