Spiritual Declension by G. B. T.

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jun 1, 1916

Spiritual Declension

By G. B. T.

AMONG the reasons why some wither spiritually, the following from the Spirit of prophecy may be studied with profit:—

“I saw that some are withering spiritually. They have lived some time watching to keep their brethren straight,—watching for every fault, to make trouble with them. And while doing this, their minds are not on God, nor on heaven, nor on the truth; but just where Satan wants them,—on some one else. Their souls are neglected; they seldom see or feel their own faults, for they have had enough to do to watch the faults of others without so much as looking to their own souls, or searching their own hearts. A person’s dress, bonnet, or apron takes their attention. They must talk to this one or that one, and it is sufficient to dwell upon for weeks. I saw that all the religion a few poor souls have, consists in watching the garments and acts of others, and finding fault with them. Unless they reform, there will be no place in heaven for them, for they would find fault with the Lord himself.”

“Said the angel, ‘It is an individual work to be right with God.’ The work is between God and our own souls. But when persons have so much care of others’ faults, they take no care of themselves. These notional, faultfinding ones would often cure themselves of the habit if they would go directly to the individual they think is wrong. It would be so crossing that they would give up their notions rather than go. But it is easy to let the tongue run freely about this one or that one when the accused is not present.”—Testimonies for the Church, Vol. I, p. 145.

Nothing withers the soul more effectually than the spirit of judging others. God has given to this people great light on the principles of healthful living. The writings given through the Spirit of prophecy abound in instruction that should be studied. But the Lord has not given to any the work of interpreting the light and making application to the lives of others. We must allow others to read God’s Word and the instruction of the Spirit, and to live according to the light they have. Judging others brings to us the spiritual declension here mentioned, and withers our souls. God, not man, is the judge.

God has given us light on dress. We should be a plain people. The message we represent calls for this. Outward adorning is inconsistent with our faith. But the Lord has not authorized some one to be the judge, a sort of censor of dress for others. Here again we must not take the place of God, and be conscience for others, or judge those who may not see just as we do. We should teach principles more than details. “I saw that all the religion a few poor souls have, consists in watching the garments and acts of others, and finding fault with them.” May the Lord pity us when our religion is summed up in such things as are here mentioned. The next sentence should also grip our hearts, “Unless they reform, there will be no place in heaven for them, for they would find fault with the Lord himself.”

This is good instruction from the servant of the Lord, now sleeping. Thankful for the light given to us, we should follow it according to our best understanding. It is our work to teach the principles of righteousness as we see them. But let us guard against making the application to others, and condemning them if they do not follow in the exact groove we are in, lest we do worse than they, and find ourselves “withering spiritually.”

G. B. T.