2:121 Peter 2:12

Believers are to keep their conduct honest and honorable among unbelievers who do not share the faith, so that though they are falsely spoken against as evildoers, their good works seen by watchful eyes may lead beholders to glorify God in the day of visitation.GW 372.3+4 Conversation here means the whole daily life and deportment rather than speech alone, including oneness of mind, compassion, courtesy, uprightness in business, benevolence, and witnessing by deeds rather than by argument.Lt 352, 1908, par. 10+2 This honest life rests on abstaining as strangers and pilgrims from fleshly lusts that war against the soul, and belongs to those called as a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people brought from darkness into light to show forth God's praises.Lt 26, 1900, par. 23–25+4 When unpopular truth brings heavy trial and close scrutiny, believers are to remain silent under abuse, continue duty with patience and self-control, and let visible good works answer accusation and put falsehood to silence, since inconsistent conduct dishonors God while consistent conduct commends the faith.6T 120.2–3+4 The day of visitation may come in judgment or in mercy, when God visits and works appear as they are and men answer for them, and it is also a time of merciful opportunity when those confronted with truth may receive salvation, culminating in the soon coming of Christ when God is glorified in a refined people.Lt 26, 1900, par. 23–25+4

The word rendered conversation means conduct, deportment, and the whole daily life rather than speech alone.Lt 352, 1908, par. 10+2 It means being of one mind, having compassion, loving as brethren, being pitiful and courteous, sanctifying the Lord in the heart, and being ready to give a reason for the hope within with meekness and fear.Lt 352, 1908, par. 10 It means a consistent religious life, holy conduct, stern unswerving fidelity to truth and uprightness in all business dealings, active benevolence, and the godly example of a true disciple that shines as light in the dark pathway of others.Lt 60, 1886, par. 19–20+2 It means witnessing by deeds rather than by words, for uniform cheerfulness, tender kindness, Christian benevolence, patience and love melt prejudice, win confidence, open the heart to truth, and awaken desire to know why believers believe as they do.Ms 53, 1899, par. 22–23

The Gentiles are those who do not share the faith, unbelievers and outsiders among whom believers live honorably and by whom their good works are closely observed.Ms 42, 1890, par. 23–26+3 Even when such observers accuse believers of wrongdoing, the conduct seen among them is to answer the accusation and lead the beholders to glorify God in the day of visitation.Ms 42, 1890, par. 23–26+2 This responsibility belongs to the whole church and not to ministers alone, as those who have received light and words of life carry them to the world and show forth God's praises.Ms 42, 1890, par. 23–26

The call to honest conduct is joined to abstaining as strangers and pilgrims from fleshly lusts and desires that war against the soul, as its necessary basis.Lt 26, 1900, par. 23–25+4 All who profess godliness must live as strangers and pilgrims in this self-denial, keeping conduct honest among unbelievers and letting light shine so that beholders glorify the heavenly Father.Lt 12, 1893, par. 17–18+2 Teachers are to urge this self-control by both teaching and example.Ms 3, 1897, par. 17

The verse belongs to the identity of believers as a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people called out of darkness into marvelous light to show forth God's praises.Lt 78, 1896, par. 31–32+3 Those who were not a people but now are the people of God and have obtained mercy live as strangers and pilgrims in wise and unreserved cooperation with divine principles, and their personal piety bears testimony by good works.Lt 78, 1896, par. 31–32+1 That character requires laying aside all malice, guile, hypocrisies, envies and evil speakings and desiring as newborn babes the sincere milk of the word to grow thereby, for merely claiming the light of truth without doing Christ's words is perverted and retrograding rather than advancing to know the Lord.ST Aug 14, 1893 Those holding sacred trusts determine how men regard the Lord's work by the spirit and character revealed, forming their own destiny for how works will appear in judgment, while abiding truth produces perfection of character that surrounds others with a life-giving holy atmosphere to revive the humble and contrite.Lt 78, 1896, par. 31–32

The verse closes the instruction of 1 Peter 2:1-12 and is part of the instruction of the first two chapters of 1 Peter.10MR 218.3–219.1+2 It sets the high standard to which God's people must attain and shows what Christians may be if they hear and obey with watchfulness and prayer.20MR 170.2–4+1 It calls for daily obedience to all the commandments of God, bringing the law of heaven into everyday experience so that words and actions express its meaning as evidence of receiving Christ and partaking of the divine nature escaped from worldly corruption.Lt 188, 1906, par. 1–4 It warns against following unsanctified ideas and lifting the soul to vanity and against walking and talking in a way detrimental to healthful piety, calling fathers, mothers and churches everywhere to study it with all intelligence and to raise the standard of piety, truth and holiness higher in constant spiritual warfare while in this world of sin.20MR 170.2–4+1

Those who stand for unpopular truth will have heavy trials to bear and severe conflicts to endure.6T 120.2–3 Unbelievers closely scrutinize them, look upon them as a degraded people and a sect everywhere spoken against, abuse them and falsely speak against them as evildoers, just as Christ the Prince of life passed through the same experience.6T 120.2–3+4 Ministers, physicians and teachers will meet all classes of minds in this testing, and the world watches professed believers in advanced truth with keen and severe criticism, weighing everyone who acts a part in the work in the scales of human discernment and claiming a right to look for self-denial and self-sacrifice.Lt 366, 1908, par. 4–5+2 Such lives and acts must therefore be circumspect and faultless, taking an elevated position in order, cleanliness and personal appearance that commends the truth to those disposed to receive it, rather than miserable representation that stands in the way of those who would believe.Lt 11, 1861, par. 4 This is possible because received truth elevates, cleanses, purifies and sanctifies its receivers, fitting them for translation and for the company of holy angels and sinless beings, while God and angels also watch.Lt 11, 1861, par. 4+1

Conduct is to be kept honest and honorable among unbelievers who do not share the faith, with good works openly seen.GW 372.3+4 Even when accusers charge wrongdoing, those works which they behold may lead them to glorify God in the day of visitation, whether understood as His visit in mercy or in judgment.GW 372.3+4 This calls for abstaining from fleshly desires that war against the soul and for doing God's will rather than pleasing natural desires through unrest, amusement and self-display.Ms 75, 1898, par. 33–34+1 It sets the high standard for conduct before the world and belongs to everyone who claims to be God's child.Ms 17, 1888, par. 1–2+1

The responsibility rests on the whole church and not on ministers alone.Ms 42, 1890, par. 23–26 Through holy conduct and good works believers show forth God's praises and carry to the world the light and words of life they have received.Ms 42, 1890, par. 23–26 It is the duty of every believer through Jesus Christ, shaped by an honest reception of God's Word.Lt 279, 1905, par. 22–23

Under abuse the course is to be straightforward, with no magnifying of trials but remembrance of what Jesus suffered.6T 120.2–3+1 There is to be silence under abuse, no complaint, no murmuring, and no thought of reproach or discontent, but continuance in duty with perseverance.6T 120.2–3+1 The answer is to be given with patience, gentleness, longsuffering, self-control and faithfulness toward the perishing, rather than impatience, provocation or absorption in self-defense.Lt 366, 1908, par. 4–5+1 An even course avoids confirming the suspicions of those who think evil.Lt 24, 1874, par. 3

Visible good conduct answers the charge of evildoing, proves accusations false, puts to silence the ignorance of foolish men, and leaves no truthful ground for reproach.Ms 46, 1898, par. 15–17+4 Words, temper and actions are to show that Christ's Spirit dwells within, with love to God supremely and to neighbor as self engraved on the heart, bearing much fruit from faith that works by love and purifies the soul.Ms 46, 1898, par. 15–17+1 As strangers and pilgrims and probationers copying Christ's simplicity, believers abstain from fleshly lusts, taste that the Lord is gracious, desire the sincere milk of the word to grow thereby, are built as living stones into a spiritual house and holy priesthood, and show forth the praises of Him who called them out of darkness into marvelous light as a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation and a peculiar people.Ms 105, 1902, par. 5–10+1 Neglect and lax practices undermine profession, invite scorn, dishonor God, disgust observers, and let unbelievers use defects to excuse their own wrongdoing and to speak evil, so every transaction should model the high standard required.Lt 337, 1904, par. 4–6

The way Christians live is a public witness that either honors the faith professed or brings truth into disrepute, determining how men regard the work.FE 462.2–463.1+1 Unbelievers judge truth by the piety of its followers, and favorable or unfavorable impressions of Bible religion are constantly made, for profession of holiness without a changed life proves nothing, as a tree is known by its fruits.SBAWP 18.2–3+1 Daily conduct must therefore give no reason to misjudge faith or reproach the cause, with no needless quarreling, rudeness, quick anger, indiscretion or ill feeling over ordinary disputes that would close the way to souls and quench love for them in temporal interests.SBAWP 18.2–3+1 Being hated for doing good and following Christ brings reward, but provoking hatred by rude manners, making the Sabbath unnecessarily annoying to neighbors, or making faith seem stranger than it requires makes a person a stumbling block and brings reproach on sacred truth.1T 420.1–2 Keeping faith with sacred truth and following Christ's steps sustains a noble witness that gives the world no reason to reproach Christ or His cause, while repudiating truth gives the enemy opportunity to overcome.Lt 297, 1904, par. 6

Christlike character means that words, temper, speech and actions show that Christ's Spirit dwells within and reflect Christ in daily life.Ms 46, 1898, par. 15–17+4 This witness follows from beholding Him, and from a faith that works through love and purifies the soul, shaping obedience and Christlike character.Lt 11a, 1894, par. 25–28+1 Even enemies may see His spirit and life in His followers and give glory to God as the source of their strength and honor, while people connected with God reflect heaven's light through good deeds and truthful actions that earn respect even among those who do not share their faith.ST Sep 10, 1885+1 Patiently bearing trials and gratefully receiving blessings, with habitual meekness, kindness, mercy and love, makes good works visible and reveals the contrast between God's character and the selfishness of the natural heart.PP 134.2

Honest conduct requires practicing all that is claimed to be believed and being doers of the Word, bringing the law of heaven into everyday experience so that words and actions express its meaning.Ms 25, 1907, par. 12–14+3 It enforces the highest morality, including moral and social duties, industry, integrity, deep piety and self-denial, with a positive necessity to practice in every phase of human life what is believed and taught to others.FE 462.2–463.1+1 Obedience to God rather than selfish inclination or pursuit of amusement is part of this witness, honoring the faith professed rather than bringing reproach upon it, and disregarding selfish considerations so works and behavior give no occasion to speak evil.FE 462.2–463.1+1 It calls for watchfulness and prayer, warns against lifting the soul to vanity and following unsanctified ideas, requires daily obedience to all God's commandments, and evidences receiving Christ and partaking of the divine nature having escaped worldly corruption.Ms 25, 1907, par. 12–14+2 Propriety of deportment must substantiate truth by both precept and example, fitting believers and qualifying them for the kingdom of God.Ms 180, 1907, par. 1–3+1

Honest conduct excludes lust, flirting, levity, licentiousness, love-sick sentimentalism, coarseness, trifling conversation, lightness and jesting, and Christian words, behavior and character must reflect godliness so as not to give cause to speak against Christ.Lt 6a, 1890, par. 82–84+3 It forbids love-sick sentimentalism and trifling flirting of married men with young girls or widows, and licentious acts in words, deportment and character, requiring sober thinking, for where Jesus is enthroned in the heart thoughts will not run riot.STB 664.2–5 Claims of meaning no harm, doing no moral wrong, or acting only from thoughtlessness are no excuse.STB 664.2–5 It forbids selfishness, halfheartedness, worldliness, oppression and injustice to the least person, living in luxury and self-indulgence while sufferers are around, seeking personal greatness, showing respect of persons, and loving applause, selfish delights and unholy passions, requiring instead honor, integrity, consecration, attentiveness, faithfulness, humility, and a self-sacrificing spirit like Christ's manifested heartily and not by halves, even to sacrificing life.Lt 31, 1891, par. 59–61+1 It requires putting away all earthliness and sensualism, coarseness and low corrupting conversation, and not even the appearance of evil, giving youth and believers and unbelievers a worthy example by circumspect deportment and pure speech.Lt 74, 1896, par. 28–29

Honest conduct includes being of one mind, having compassion, loving as brethren, being pitiful and courteous, sanctifying the Lord God in the heart, and being always ready to give an answer about the hope within with meekness and fear.Lt 352, 1908, par. 10 It includes patience, kindness, forbearance, gentleness, meekness, courtesy, cheerfulness, tender kindness, Christian benevolence, self-denial, selfless love and seeking others' happiness, displaying the gospel's purity and power so as to remove barriers to salvation.Ms 111, 1899, par. 6+3 Witness is by consistent deeds rather than by words or argument, for a consistent daily life tells more, melts prejudice, wins confidence, opens the heart to receive truth, and awakens desire to know why believers believe.Ms 53, 1899, par. 22–23 Therefore doctrinal subjects such as the Sabbath are not to be urged persistently upon unbelievers in mixed public places, but believers let good works be beheld, then give a clear simple statement when asked and invite inquirers to worship.Ms 53, 1899, par. 22–23 Laborers thus exert a favorable or unfavorable influence, as when patients watching workers see whether they practice professed truth and carry a right impression to others, giving truth to a class reachable in no other way.Ms 111, 1899, par. 6

Honest conduct must appear in daily life and business, for those around watch the influence of faith, and when conduct does not show it observers are disgusted, compare themselves favorably, and God is dishonored.Ms 2, 1869, par. 16 It includes order, cleanliness and personal appearance, commending truth especially to those disposed to receive it, rather than making believers miserable representatives who stand in the way of those who would believe.Lt 11, 1861, par. 4 God requires His people who lack purity, cleanliness, order and holiness to seek them and never rest until obtained, commencing reform and elevating life so conversation, deportment, acts and life continually recommend faith with winning, compelling power that compels acknowledgment of them as God's children.Ms 3, 1861, par. 37 Such living condemns the folly, impenitence, idolatry and wicked practices of the world, reveals the truth's grace and purity so no truthful charge of wrongdoing can be made, and flows from truth's work to elevate, cleanse, purify, sanctify and fit receivers for translation and for the company of holy angels and sinless beings in God's kingdom.Lt 11, 1861, par. 4+2

The day of visitation may come in judgment or in mercy, when those who have watched the lives of strangers in the world and accused them of evil glorify God for the good works they have beheld.Ms 41, 1902, par. 40–42 It is when God visits in judgment, when works appear as they are and men answer for them and face their destiny.Lt 26, 1900, par. 23–25+4 Those called out of darkness into marvelous light and made the people of God by mercy are therefore to show forth His praises as strangers and pilgrims by abstaining from fleshly lusts which war against the soul and by keeping conduct honest and honorable among unbelievers.Lt 26, 1900, par. 23–25+4 Even where they are spoken against as evildoers, their visible good deeds are to be seen by their accusers, so that the observers may glorify God when He visits.Lt 26, 1900, par. 23–25+4 This appeal belongs to everyone who claims to be God's child, and is part of representing Christ and showing God's light to the nations.Ms 75, 1898, par. 33–34+1

Those holding sacred trusts determine how men regard the Lord's work by the spirit and character they reveal, forming their own destiny for how their works will appear in the judgment.Lt 78, 1896, par. 31–32 Disobedience, unthankfulness, unholiness, harsh condemnation, and self-serving disobey the call, while abiding truth produces perfection of character that surrounds others with a life-giving holy atmosphere to revive the humble and contrite and lead beholders to glorify God in the day of salvation.Lt 78, 1896, par. 31–32 The day of visitation is also a time of merciful opportunity and testing, when people are confronted with words of truth and may receive salvation.GC88 22.2+1 Then Christ pleads with them to recognize the things that belong to their peace and to turn to Him, but those who refuse His invitations and warnings face the consequences of their own perversity and will answer in judgment for their works.GC88 22.2+1

In the final generation millions reject that truth and God's law, remaining in bondage to sin and facing the second death.GC88 22.2 The day of visitation included the time when Christ came to the Jews, which they failed to recognize, and after which He left the temple precincts for the last time.ST May 16, 1878 It is the soon coming of Christ in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory, when God will be glorified in His people.Lt 41, 1903, par. 5–6+1 Those called out of darkness into light into present truth have individual accountability as laborers together with God to show plainly that they are on the Lord's side on the platform of eternal truth.Lt 41, 1903, par. 5–6

As strangers and pilgrims they must abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul, resolve to be like Jesus, and keep conduct honest among unbelievers while proclaiming that the coming of the Lord is near and waiting and watching for it.Lt 41, 1903, par. 5–6 By fully identifying as God's chosen, royal, holy, peculiar people and honoring Christ as Head of His church instead of going backward, their good works are beheld by those who speak against them as evildoers, so that God is glorified in the day of visitation.Lt 41, 1903, par. 5–6 Believers must be refined and transformed in character, putting on the beautiful garments of the righteousness of Christ and becoming vessels unto honor who receive the latter rain.Lt 15, 1892, par. 10–12 Their honest conduct and good works are a Christlike character with no envy or jealousy, magnifying His grace and exalting His infinite compassion and love, so that Christ is admired in all them that believe.Lt 15, 1892, par. 10–12

As a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a peculiar people called out of darkness into marvelous light, who were not a people but now are the people of God through mercy, believers are to show forth His praises by honest conduct among unbelievers and by good works that can be observed.Ms 42, 1890, par. 23–26+4 Even when accused as evildoers, their visible good works are to lead beholders to glorify God in the day of visitation, which is also the day of salvation, and this responsibility belongs to the whole church through holy conduct and not to ministers alone.Ms 42, 1890, par. 23–26+4 In doing this they carry to the world the light and words of life received, displaying the understanding, skill, knowledge, upright conduct, grace and perfection of character that God gives.Ms 42, 1890, par. 23–26+3 Those holding sacred trusts determine how men regard the Lord's work by the spirit and character revealed, forming their own destiny for how works will appear in judgment, for disobedience, unthankfulness, unholiness, harsh condemnation and self-serving disobey the call, while abiding truth produces perfection of character that surrounds others with a life-giving holy atmosphere to revive the humble and contrite.Lt 78, 1896, par. 31–32 This honest life comes from love to God supremely and to neighbor as self engraved on the heart, from faith working by love and purifying the soul and bearing much fruit, and from personal piety in wise and unreserved cooperation with divine principles, so that it puts to silence the ignorance of foolish men though the world counts such love as going to extremes.RH Aug 28, 1900+2

Believers live as strangers, pilgrims, probationers and living stones in this world, copying Christ's simplicity by abstaining from fleshly lusts which war against the soul.Lt 78, 1896, par. 31–32+4 They taste that the Lord is gracious, desire as newborn babes the sincere milk of the word that they may grow thereby, lay aside all malice, guile, hypocrisies, envies and evil speakings, are built into a spiritual house and holy priesthood, and remain separate from contaminating influences instead of merely claiming light while retrograding and backsliding.Ms 105, 1902, par. 5–10+1 Merely claiming truth without doing Christ's words is a perverted idea of Christian character, for the call is to advance on to know the Lord.Lt 78, 1896, par. 31–32+1 It is the will of God especially for gospel ministers to represent Christ in this way.Ms 105, 1902, par. 5–10

Believers are channels through which God can pour His boundless love and mercy, letting light shine and good works shine amid moral darkness so that beholders are led toward life and truth, encouraged to do good, and convinced of truth's power.ST Oct 8, 1896+4 Their conduct is to let light shine so others glorify the heavenly Father when He visits, revealing the power of grace and the perfection of His character.Lt 41, 1899, par. 16–18+2 This comes through holy consecration, a consistent religious life, holy conduct, stern unswerving fidelity to truth and uprightness, active benevolence, and the godly example of a true disciple, which make impression upon unbelievers and shine as bright beams in the dark pathway of others as the Lord works with all who cooperate with Him.Lt 41, 1899, par. 16–18+2

The world watches professed Christians with a right to look for self-denial and self-sacrifice, to see what fruit belief in advanced truth bears, ready to criticize words and acts with keenness and severity and to weigh everyone acting a part in God's work in the scales of human discernment.SBAWP 18.2–3+4 Unbelievers judge the truth by the piety of its followers, so favorable or unfavorable impressions of Bible religion are constantly made, and daily conduct in life and business either commends the faith or gives reason to misjudge it and reproach the cause of truth.SBAWP 18.2–3+2 When conduct does not show faith, observers are disgusted, compare themselves favorably, and God is dishonored, while godly behavior and good works give opponents no truthful ground for accusation and draw unbelievers toward faith, the influence tending toward life or death.SBAWP 18.2–3+3 A profession of holiness without a changed life proves nothing, like a tree known by its fruits, and the life must show it by working out Bible principles in all work under divine rule, with honor, integrity, consecration, attentiveness, faithfulness, courtesy and kindness in the fear of the Lord, forbidding lightness, jesting, trifling, selfishness, halfheartedness, worldliness, indiscretion, quick anger, ill feeling over ordinary disputes, and gossiping over others' imperfections while neglecting one's own.SBAWP 18.2–3+2 Temporal interests must not quench love for souls, and the call is to a higher, purer, nobler life on a high holy plane that shows by life the advantage of Christianity over worldliness and proves believers children of the heavenly King, while God and angels are also watching.SBAWP 18.2–3+1

Ministers, physicians, and teachers will meet all classes of minds and will be falsely spoken of as evildoers, even as Christ the Prince of life was, and they must take a straightforward course and answer with honest conduct among unbelievers, with patience, gentleness, and longsuffering toward the perishing, so that accusers may see their good works and glorify God in the day of visitation.Ms 105, 1902, par. 5–10+2 As probationers and as strangers and pilgrims in this world they must copy the simplicity of Christ by abstaining from fleshly lusts which war against the soul, by tasting that the Lord is gracious, by desiring the sincere milk of the word to grow thereby, by being built as living stones into a spiritual house and holy priesthood, and by showing forth the praises of Him who called them out of darkness into marvelous light as a chosen generation, royal priesthood, holy nation, and peculiar people.Ms 105, 1902, par. 5–10 This honest life will put to silence the ignorance of foolish men, and it is especially the will of God for gospel ministers to represent Christ in this way.Ms 105, 1902, par. 5–10 They must adorn their profession by honest conduct among unbelievers, watching and praying at every step so they do not stand in the way of God's work or make an impression that hurts the truth.Ms 105, 1902, par. 31 Cherishing the grace of the Holy Spirit keeps them from becoming hindrances, and making straight paths for their feet keeps the lame from being turned out of the way, remembering they are pilgrims and strangers in the world but not of it, needing deeper knowledge and clearer understanding of truth while a vigilant foe is watching.Ms 105, 1902, par. 31

Those serving in positions of trust, including in sanitariums, must represent Christ faithfully in character and conduct, living honorably among accusers so visible good works show faithful character and lead observers to glorify God in the day of visitation.17MR 360.3–361.2 While living in the world without being of the world, God's chosen people must remain forever separate and free from contaminating influences, and medical missionary work must not be made the body but must be bound up with gospel ministry in exactly the relation designed between physicians and their brethren.Lt 220, 1903, par. 28–30 It is forbidden to bind up with worldlings by inviting them into councils and to dishonor truth by bringing worldly lawyers into connection with God's work.Lt 220, 1903, par. 28–30 Every physician and medical missionary worker is to be molded after the similitude of Christ, to stand on the platform of truth uninfluenced by any man's false theories and wrong devising, to respect the pure living principles of the gospel, to refuse control by any one physician's authority, and to labor unitedly with the church and ministers in soul-saving work in harmony with God's purpose.Lt 220, 1903, par. 28–30 Each sanitarium worker exerts a favorable or unfavorable influence upon patients through honest deportment and conversation, patience and kindness, and when workers practice the truth they profess, watching patients receive a right impression to carry with them and pass to others they contact, so truth reaches a class that could be reached in no other way.Ms 111, 1899, par. 6

Leaders and workers in God's institutions and schools, and those who educate the young, must give a worthy example in circumspect deportment and pure speech, with work wrought in God and words and works untainted with earthliness and sensualism.Lt 74, 1896, par. 28–29 They must put away all coarseness, trifling, and low, corrupting conversation, allowing not even the appearance of evil, because such lessons by word and example are a savor of life unto life or of death unto death and sow seed that will blossom and bear fruit in others.Lt 74, 1896, par. 28–29 Institutions are missionary fields under God's eye day and night, with a Watcher and true Witness to every word and act, and the Lord will certainly judge every wrong influence exerted in His instrumentalities.Lt 74, 1896, par. 28–29 Teachers are to urge self-control by both teaching and example, abstaining from fleshly desires that war against the soul and living honorably among nonbelievers so that even accusers may see good works and glorify God in the day of visitation.Ms 3, 1897, par. 17 The same call to good conduct applies to health reform and to the character of those who educate the young, who are to cultivate the heart and share in the fruit of the work they teach.20MR 316.4–6 Every transaction, as at the Huntsville school, should model the high standard God requires, since neglect and lax practices undermine profession, invite scorn, and let unbelievers use Christians' defects to excuse their own wrongdoing.Lt 337, 1904, par. 4–6

Fathers and mothers and churches in every place are to study the instruction closing in 1 Peter 2:1-12 with all intelligence and to raise the standard of piety and truth and holiness higher in constant spiritual warfare while in this world of sin.Lt 188, 1906, par. 1–4 That standard is what Christians may become if they hear and obey with watchfulness and prayer, maintaining daily obedience to all God's commandments, bringing the law of heaven into everyday experience, and letting words and actions express its meaning.Lt 188, 1906, par. 1–4 Such a life evidences receiving Christ and partaking of the divine nature having escaped worldly corruption, and warns against following unsanctified ideas, lifting the soul to vanity, or walking and talking in a way detrimental to healthful piety.Lt 188, 1906, par. 1–4

The work of laborers with God includes conduct and good works that make those within their influence wiser and better, uplift them, and strengthen the weak.Lt 47, 1893, par. 14 This means manifesting the self-sacrificing spirit of Christ heartily and not by halves in every branch of work, living a well-ordered life with godly conduct among unbelievers that condemns the folly, impenitence, idolatry, and wicked practices of the world.Ms 6, 1891, par. 32 It means not seeking personal greatness or showing respect of persons, refusing to live in luxury and self-indulgence while suffering ones are around, refusing by practice to sanction any oppression or injustice to the least person, and being like Christ in relinquishing selfish delights, unholy passions, and love of applause, willing to be humble and unknown and to sacrifice even life for Christ.Ms 6, 1891, par. 32

Witness is by deeds rather than by words, for a consistent daily life tells more than argument.Ms 53, 1899, par. 22–23+1 Uniform cheerfulness, tender kindness, Christian benevolence, patience, and love melt away prejudice, win confidence, open the heart to receive truth, and awaken desire to know why believers believe as they do.Ms 53, 1899, par. 22–23 A modest, humble life consistent with Christ's example lets good behavior testify to truth's power in a willing heart and life and commends truth without argument or mere talk.7MR 364.2 Therefore doctrinal subjects such as the Sabbath must not be urged persistently upon unbelievers in mixed public places like a sanitarium parlor; believers should let good works be beheld, then give a clear simple statement of faith when asked, and invite inquirers to Sabbath worship, where heavenly messengers impress the hearts of unprejudiced seekers so they glorify God.Ms 53, 1899, par. 22–23