p. 394 | NO CONFIDENCE IN HIM

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jun 18, 1901

NO CONFIDENCE IN HIM.

How often we hear this expression uttered by some brother in reference to another: I have no use for him, I have not a particle of confidence in him. Well, what if you haven’t? How does that affect the case? Does that change the feelings of God toward the individual? Do your feelings change the feelings of God? Does it make Him lose confidence in the individual because you have no confidence in him? Have you been appointed to gauge by your opinions and feelings the character and standing of another? But what is the reason you do not have confidence in the one of whom you speak?—Oh, perhaps he has indulged in some actions which to you do not seem just right, or holds some opinions which to you do not seem correct?

But perhaps others will or do think of your actions and views just as you think of and regard those of the other. What would be your feelings to have others, on that account, say that they have no confidence in you? And what would they mean to express by saying that they have no confidence in you?—Just what you mean in regard to others by saying that you have no confidence in them. You mean that you have formed your opinion of them, and you desire to influence the opinions of others in the same direction. You do not wish others to think any better of them than you do. You do not wish others to have any confidence in them because you do not. It is a matter of supreme selfishness on your part. You are trying to bring others down to your level in regard to them, so that they will have as poor an opinion of them as you entertain. In other words, you wish others to take you as the correct standard, and regard others as you regard them. This is not trying to help those toward whom you express such an opinion, but tends to pull them down. Is this treating your brother according to Rom 12:10? Is it treating him according to 1 Peter 4:8? And if your program was carried out, what would be the result?—The brother would lose his standing with his brethren, would become crushed and discouraged, and if the attitude of the one losing confidence in another could affect or control the decisions of higher powers, it would lead to the separation of the brother from the truth, and to the shipwreck of his faith.

Now is it not clear that whoever does this, has set himself for a judge, and judges his brethren? But what does the Saviour say on this point? “Judge not that ye be not judged; for with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged; and with what measure ye mete [or measure] it shall be measured to you again.” Matt. 7:1, 2. Think of that, servants of the Lord, and ponder the question how it will at last affect your cases.