p. 9 | Selfish Policy Versus Principle by Mrs. Iva F. Cady

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Dec 16, 1915

Selfish Policy Versus Principle

By Mrs. Iva F. Cady

MRS. IVA F. CADY

We learn in James 3: 14-18 that there are two kinds of wisdom in the world. There is a wisdom that is not from above. It is earthly, sensual, devilish, and is characterized by bitter envying and strife in the heart. Confusion and every evil work come as a result of this wisdom. But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy; and the results of this wisdom are righteousness and peace.

Now, may we not say that there are two kinds of policy, just as there are two kinds of wisdom in the world? and that the policy that is identical with prudence is the wisdom that comes down from above, while selfish policy is the wisdom of this world? The latter has no place in Christianity.

It was selfish policy that controlled Pontius Pilate when he gave Christ over to be crucified, though he believed him to be innocent. He saw that Jesus was not popular with the Jews, and feared that it would result to his own disadvantage if he should protect him from their wrath.

He who has true wisdom, or Christian policy, is “easy to be entreated.” He does not have an iron will that must either rule or ruin. He yields to others when he sees he is mistaken, and does not stubbornly justify himself in his own way. Are we not told to submit ourselves one to another? and can any of us safely say that it is the other one who should always submit, and that we never should? We should always be ready to yield our way in order to keep peace when the question does not involve principle, even though we cannot see that we are wrong. Yet, some are so determined to have their own way that they will leave no stone unturned in order to get it, even working against and seeking to injure the reputation of good men who conscientiously disagree with their policy.

We have the record of King Joash, who when a babe was saved from death by his aunt, the wife of Jehoiada, the

priest. Jehoiada and his wife guarded and cared for him tenderly, and when he was seven years old placed him on the throne. He learned from them the way of the Lord, and was faithful in serving him until after Jehoiada’s death. 2 Chron. 24: 1-14. But after the priest’s death, the princes of Judah came and made obeisance to the king, and he hearkened unto them and departed from the Lord, leading the mass of the people with him, as is usually the case with a man in such a position. Simply because he was flattered by the obeisance of the princes, he yielded principle for selfish policy, and was influenced by them to take a course which he knew to be wrong. Trouble came upon Judah and Jerusalem because of this their trespass. The Lord sent prophets to them to lead them back into the right way, but they would not give heed. Finally “the Spirit of God came upon Zechariah the son of Jehoiada the priest, which stood above the people, and said unto them, Thus saith God, Why transgress ye the commandments of the Lord, that ye cannot prosper? because ye have forsaken the Lord, he hath also forsaken you.”

But instead of heeding the warning given them of the Lord, they stoned Zechariah to death in the court of the house of the Lord. And this terrible deed was done at the commandment of the king himself, who thus remembered not the kindness which Jehoiada had shown to him, but killed his son. Verses 19-22. If Zechariah had not reproved the king, but had flattered him as did the princes, his life would no doubt have been spared, for Joash would have been pleased with him under those circumstances. How many there are in the world today who cannot bear reproof! If a person questions the wisdom of any word or act of such, they count him an enemy, and instead of treating him as Christ has told us we should treat our enemies, by doing good to them, they work in various ways to injure his reputation and put him down.

If Zechariah had taken the course that some do in this day, he would not have reproved the king and the people as he did. In disagreeing with their policy, he was bringing in discord; this they could not bear, and so had him put out of the way. Should he not have remained quiet and tried to preserve unity? That is the course that some would take. But Zechariah was true to principle, though it cost his life. And may we not be the same, even if it costs us something in the way of worldly advantage?

The professed followers of the Lord have not always been ready to hear the truth, but have sometimes taken it upon themselves to oppose and persecute those who were giving them the message sent them by God. In view of these things, should not we be guarded lest we take a similar course? Do not we believe that we should make God first and be true to principle, whether it pleases men or not? As far as lies in us, we are to live peaceably with all men, but not by disregard of principle. In every issue, we are to take our stand with those who are upholding the right, and be true to the Lord.

We are told that if we have respect of persons, we commit sin. “To have respect of persons is not good: for for a piece of bread that man will transgress.” Prov. 28: 21.

Moses, in giving his charge to the seventy elders chosen to be his helpers, said to them, “Ye shall not respect persons in judgment; but ye shall hear the small as well as the great; ye shall not be afraid of the face of man; for the judgment is God’s.” Deut. 1:17. We are neither to respect persons in judgment, nor be afraid of the face of man.