KNOW THYSELF by Chas. B. Reynolds

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jul 27, 1876

KNOW THYSELF.

By Chas. B. Reynolds

It is strange that we can so readily see all the faults and shortcomings of others, and yet remain so blind to our own. We look at the faults of others—especially if irritated by them—through the magnifying end of the telescope. Oh, how we delight to magnify them! But when we are told to look at our own faults, we turn the telescope the wrong way. Then how small they look. We think, “Why, really my faults are so very small—of so little consequence—there can be no need of any anxiety about amending them. My sins and shortcomings are such very little ones.”

It would be better to reverse this—better to magnify our own faults until we detect them all, and realize the need of correcting the miserable quirks, crotchets, and defects of our own character. The true Christian is ever humble, meek, gentle, teachable—not bitter, snappish, self-satisfied. Let us seek to know self. If we have not the Spirit of Christ, we are none of his.

Humility is not more necessary to salvation than self-knowledge is to humility. “Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth.” Knowledge without love always puffs up; but knowledge of God will increase our modesty, awaken our caution, and dispose us to suspect and deny self. Those who are highest in God’s esteem are meanest in their own. The more a man is acquainted with himself, with his own failings, the more he is disposed to make allowance for the faults of others.

Dismiss, then, all angry and wrathful thoughts; these do but canker and corrode the mind. Anger may steal into the heart of a wise man, but it rests only in the bosom of fools. Eccl. 7:9. Watch, then, against all fretful, querulous, and discontented thoughts, which do but chafe the mind,—the utterance of which only makes us hateful, proves the utter falsity of our claim to genuine Christianity, and shows our littleness of soul, the warped bitterness of mind which induces us to thus make ourselves and all around us miserable. To harbor such thoughts and feelings, is to do ourselves more injury than it is in the power of our worst enemy to do us.

Knowing our liability to irritation and the utterance of harsh expressions, let us be ever prayerfully upon our guard, and especially let us set a double watch over the tongue while the fretful mood is upon us. Aggravating expressions at such a time are like oil thrown upon flames, which always makes them rage the more. When tried, irritated, aggravated, we should think how much we ourselves stand in need of pitying forbearance and forgiveness, both from God and man, and make that allowance for the offender which we desire made in our own case. Let us turn our anger into pity; think how fruitless, how foolish to indulge resentment, and how torturing to ourselves.

Watch and pray—do not get angry. What! shall we willfully dethrone reason, and invite the devil to take full control of us? Nay; let us rather guard against his first approach. When were we ever benefited by indulging our peevish ill-nature? Does its exercise soothe and comfort us, and bring us the love and respect of those around us? Knowing our danger shall we not carry it all to Jesus, and implore his promised help to enable us to overcome? Let us heed the admonition of our Lord: “Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation.” CHAS. B. REYNOLDS.