Thoughts and Words by John M. Hopkins

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jun 2, 1903

Thoughts and Words

By John M. Hopkins

JOHN M. HOPKINS.

“EXAMINE yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves.” 2 Cor. 13:5.

This is a stirring admonition; and the fact that it is found in the Word of God is certain proof of the necessity for giving it. It means that some who really believe they are “in the faith” are not. They really believe they are saved, but they are certainly deceived. And Jesus emphatically says, “Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.” Matt. 7:22, 23.

And it will be a terribly bitter disappointment to those “many.” Any disappointment, even though trivial, is very unpleasant. And when we think of it in connection with eternal life, we can not comprehend its bitterness. But need it be so?—No. The Lord does not deceive any one. They will be self-deceived. They have not builded upon the sure foundation. They have clung to earth’s idols, they have cherished sins in the heart, even against the admonitions of the Word and Spirit of God. They have resisted light and have chosen error and darkness until their minds have been darkened. By their own choice they did it—not the Lord.

The text at the head of this article does not say, Examine your brother, or sister, or neighbor, but “yourselves.” “Prove your own selves.” And since the Lord has told us to do this, is there not some Bible method of doing so? May I not ask and certainly know what I am? Am I a Christian, a child of God? Is there any sure method whereby I may determine just what I am? I am to “examine,” “prove,” myself; and here is the rule: In Prov. 23:7 we read, “As he thinketh in his heart, so is he.” Then what am I?—Why, just what my heart is. Nothing can be more plain or more certain, and there is no occasion for deception.

As a man “thinketh.” What are my thoughts? What are your thoughts? Are they pure, holy, joyful, elevating? or are they low, base, sensual, devilish? If they are of the first named, then you are pure and holy. If of the other class, then you are just as surely low, base, sensual, and devilish. Do we love God with all the mind, and our neighbor as ourselves? Then are we the children of God. Do we love self, and sinful gratifications? Then are we children of the wicked one. Need we mistake in this matter?

Reader, put this question to your own heart, What do I think about? for as you think, so you are. Jesus said, “From within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness: all these evil things come from within.” Mark 7:21-23.

Every man and woman can understand these plain words, and, understanding, every one knows, or may know, whether he is an adulterer, a murderer, a thief, a blasphemer.

Nor is this all. Our fellow men and associates know equally well what we are; for “out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.” Matt. 12:34. And again, in Prov. 4:23, we read, “Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.”

So here are two rules of evidence by which we may each “examine” and “prove” our own selves: first, our thoughts; second, our words. It has been truthfully said that we “talk most about what we think most.” Our thoughts find expression in words, our words are emphasized by our deeds. So, reasoning from cause to effect, our deeds, our words, our thoughts, are an expression of what we really are. And there is no mistake about it unless we are downright hypocrites, and in that case we are not self-deceived, we simply deceive others, and we can not do that a great while. For “by their fruits ye shall know them.” Matt. 7:20.

But “be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to

the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.” Gal. 6:7, 8.

“Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves.”

*“So let our lips and lives express The holy gospel we profess.”*

And in this connection how beautiful and forceful are the words of the psalmist, “Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer.” Ps. 19:14.

And again, Paul gives expression to these noble thoughts, “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” Phil. 4:8. If such are the thoughts and delights of the heart, heaven will extend a welcome. Do we love to think of God, of heaven, of the salvation of our fellow men? Are our minds in touch with the mind of God? Do we love to speak of God and heaven? Are we children of the Most High?