A Teacher Instructs a Servant of the Lord GentlyBible World
2:242 Timothy 2:24
And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient,
The servant of God must not be quarrelsome, contentious, excited or combative, retaliating or striving about words to no profit, but must be gentle to all people, skillful in teaching, and patient with self-control, kindness and calm dignity. Aptness to teach means knowing Scripture correctly and presenting it so as to awaken thought, energy and courage, while shunning foolish questions and disputes over words that breed strife and subvert hearers. Those who oppose the truth are to be instructed and corrected in meekness, humility, love and calm patience rather than with harshness or fault-finding, leaving the result with God in hope that He will grant repentance unto acknowledging the truth so they may escape the snare of the devil. Gentleness in controversy is strength and not weakness, for patient kindness, divine love and clear presentation of Christ and the truth overcome prejudice and stubbornness, while angry, hasty or condemnatory words give no light and break influence. This is the qualification for ministers and all Christian workers, requiring them to put away envy, party spirit and strife with one another, to train others to teach also, and to live in kindness and courtesy toward all.
Words and Immediate Context
The servant must not be quarrelsome, contentious, excited, boisterous, stormy or combative in manner. That forbidding rules out retaliation, rashness, discourtesy, sharp debate aimed only to defeat opponents, and stirring conflict by argument. It also rules out striving about words to no profit, which subverts the hearers, and foolish and unlearned questions, because they produce strife. God's Spirit never leads to contention, strife or alienation.
Instead the servant is to be gentle toward all people and toward everyone, with patience and long-suffering. That gentleness is shown in pure, sanctified and unselfish words, in kindness, courtesy, tenderness, self-control and calm dignity. It belongs to Christ's representatives even when instructing those who oppose the truth, seeking their repentance and release from the devil's snare.
Being apt to teach means being able, ready and skilled to teach, able to present Scripture intelligently and correctly. It means being able to inspire thought, awaken energy, and give courage and life. Those who teach Bible truth should learn to read correctly and become able to teach before addressing the public. A teacher who follows this discerns opportunities to do good and combines enthusiasm with dignity, and high literary qualifications are not essential where there are insight into human nature, love for the work, appreciation of its importance, willingness to improve and earnest perseverance, enabling understanding of pupils' needs and, through a sympathetic and progressive spirit, inspiring them to follow onward and upward.
The verse stands with avoiding foolish and unlearned questions knowing that they gender strifes, and with shunning striving about words to no profit that subverts the hearers. It stands with following righteousness, faith, charity and peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart, and with walking as children of light with the fruit of the Spirit in all goodness and righteousness and truth, proving what is acceptable unto the Lord. It belongs with studying to be approved by God and rightly dividing the word of truth. It belongs with letting the foundation of God stand sure, departing from iniquity, enduring hardness as a good soldier, holding fast sound words in faith and love, and committing truth to faithful men able to teach others.
Meek Correction Toward Repentance
Those who oppose themselves and oppose the truth, held captive by the devil to do his will, are to be instructed and corrected in meekness, humility, love, calmness and patience. This meek correction refuses excitement, harshness, rashness, discourtesy and fault-finding, refuses quarrels about words and foolish unlearned questions that gender strife, and instead deals gently with all with skill in teaching and long-suffering endurance. It avoids arguments that stir conflict and stays calm toward those in error rather than responding with strife.
The servant leaves the result with God, laboring in hope that He will grant repentance to the acknowledging of the truth. That repentance is unto recovery of themselves and escape from the snare of the devil. Those who oppose the keeping of the Lord's Sabbath are opposing themselves and placing stumbling blocks in their own way.
The work is done by presenting Christ and the truth as it is in Jesus. It sets the light and power of truth against error so that truth itself answers objections, giving each objection its due rather than dismissing it or bearing down on the objector, repeating saving truth and letting the weakness of error become clear. It does not argue contentiously to defeat opponents, does not argue over false claims or give them more publicity, and does not teach in any other manner, since any other manner creates confusion. When error is promoted even within the church, those walking in the light stay calm, seek wisdom from God, and patiently instruct.
Gentleness in controversy is strength, not weakness. Calm dignity and divine love, with patient kindness and good works, can overcome prejudice, stubbornness and spiritual blindness, convince by truth and sound arguments, and draw souls to conversion rather than seeking mastery. Self-control and a gentle, tender, considerate manner toward even inconsistent, unreasonable and unworthy persons, toward youth born into temptation and toward those to whom truth comes as a strange doctrine in darkness, preserves Christian influence and shows sincere concern for souls, helping them recognize their own wrong. A few angry, hasty, condemnatory, sharp or retaliating words give no light, add no intelligence, cannot convert, create hardness of heart, may prove a savor of death unto death, and break the bonds of influence that might draw someone toward God.
The servant must never speak unwise judging words, such as telling an inquirer that Satan has blinded his understanding. When he cannot show from God's Word that someone is wrong, he must hold his peace rather than criticize, stir prejudice, or censure without weighty reasons, and must not act from a combative spirit but correct error calmly from Scripture. He must give no chance for words to be misinterpreted and used as a whip to hurt brethren, but must speak pure, sanctified, unselfish words bearing God's approval, with lips cleansed as by a live coal, praying more and talking less.
Servants Called to Live It
The verse lays out what qualifies ministers for God's work and shapes Christian service in every conference. The servant in gospel work refuses quarrels about words and foolish unlearned questions that produce strife, and instead deals gently with all people, with skill in teaching and patience. Even those who oppose themselves are corrected in meekness, in hope that God will grant repentance to acknowledge truth and escape the devil's snare. This belongs with studying to be approved by God and rightly dividing the word of truth, and it guides ministers as they examine new claims from Scripture and instruct those who oppose the truth. Ministers of Christ war not merely against men but against Satan and his angels, so the work must not be done in a boisterous, stormy manner but requires wise generalship, self-discipline, wholehearted devotion, Bible study, ability in word and doctrine, acquaintance with Scripture to give reasons of the faith, and convincing power through strong arguments presented in meekness and fear of God. More than mere head knowledge or reading and teaching is demanded; it demands knowing the true God and Jesus Christ whom He sent, becoming a diligent student of Scripture, holding fast sound words in faith and love, enduring hardness as a good soldier, being strong in grace, and carrying fatherly responsibility for spiritual welfare through prayer and personal care for souls.
Fitness for oversight, including appointment as presidents of conferences as overseers of the flock, requires men of good repute and thorough integrity, not novices. They must have not only knowledge of Scripture but experience in faith and patience, as intelligent students of the word who are apt to teach and able to teach others also. From the treasure-house they bring things new and old, and in meekness and patience they instruct even those who oppose the truth. In character, words, and deportment they honor Christ and the cause by teaching the truth and living the truth, growing up to full stature in Christ through development and strengthening of every faculty by exercise to bear larger responsibilities.
Being apt to teach means being an educator who commits truth to faithful men able to teach others, so what is gained is held and the work advances. Such a teacher sees talent that should be employed, develops and cultivates it, trains the inexperienced, presses them into service, enlists lay members and teaches them to work, instead of leaving people feeling they can do little themselves and must have a minister for everything. Religion must not be made to consist mostly in controversy that provokes discussion and forces objectionable features of faith to an issue. The servant qualifies as a teacher in all branches of the work and not merely one, by cultivating the intellect and storing useful knowledge to build for God's glory instead of spending time on nonessentials, dealing kindly with all, and bearing opposition with patience and humility so God may grant repentance to the acknowledging of the truth.
The servant who presents truth must be converted and offer the cup full of the preciousness of God by the Holy Spirit, not the wine of Babylon which is doctrines of error. Souls are valued as worth saving, mind and thoughts are kept in captivity to the will of Christ, and beholding changes character from glory to glory, placing a right estimate upon humanity under God's controlling power. He stands to the front and speaks the words God has given, having fallen upon the Rock and been broken so the power of Christ is felt. He lets the Word speak to the soul and teaches that Word and impresses it upon every mind, bringing Bible truth with a Thus saith the Scriptures instead of human revealings and devices. The teaching to be given is that the foundation of God stands sure, the Lord knows those who are His, and everyone naming the name of Christ must depart from iniquity, and deep searching of the sure word of prophecy and making that Word the counselor is the only safety, while turning from it to depend on a human agent is turning from the fountain of living waters to broken cisterns.
Unity Without Party Strife
The servant of the Lord must not strive with one another, and this puts away envy, jealousy, evil suspicion, party spirit, and selfish ambition. Freed from these, Christlike love leads to Christian kindness and tenderness to all without strife. The servant continues patiently in doing good rather than censuring and condemning others, and this brings God's approval.
When believers meet together to investigate points of faith where there is difference of opinion, those standing in defense of truth must be calm and self-possessed, kind and courteous with the mind of Christ. They must not regard themselves as infallible, must not look with contempt on those who differ, and must not regard them as enemies. They must not strive or use harsh language, and must not meet those who differ with ridicule or jesting. The same rule forbids quarreling over truth or pressing it in combativeness, firmness and self-esteem, questioning and condemning those who do not fully endorse one's views while excusing those who do. Instead the servant is gentle to all, able to teach, patient, instructing opposers in meekness with a teachable spirit and leaving it to God to grant repentance to the acknowledging of the truth. Self must die and defects of character must be corrected, for using precious truth as a subject to dispute over makes light appear as darkness, disgusts friends and relatives, turns souls away, and proves a stumbling-block, while gentleness lets light shine in good works so others glorify the Father in heaven.
The servant must be kind and courteous to all, especially to workers under his charge and to minds he influences. Sharp traits, a commanding manner, and wounding tone or ideas violate the verse and bring reproach on holy faith. A character after the divine Model manifests kindness, love, mercy and truth in attitude, words and daily life, treating others tenderly because they were bought by the blood of Christ, directing and advising rather than commanding. Such gentleness preaches a daily sermon, wins souls, and wins the confidence of the young and of fellow laborers. In the work of educating children, a consecrated teacher serves Christ by imparting instruction and growing in knowledge, and unkind and hasty speech has no place in that work. A servant of God must deal with people gently rather than with an irritable or combative spirit, for meekness, gentleness, love, and patience help represent the faith rightly and keep Christ's religion from appearing harsh or repulsive.
Faithful Practice in Situations
In health reform the servant must not quarrel over truth or press it with combativeness, firmness and self-esteem, questioning and condemning those who do not fully endorse his views while excusing those who do. Self must die and defects of character must be corrected, with a teachable spirit and the mind of Christ, leaving it to God to grant repentance to the acknowledging of the truth. Using precious truth as a subject to dispute over makes light appear as darkness, disgusts friends and relatives, turns souls away, and proves a stumbling-block, while gentleness to all, ability to teach, patience, and meek instruction of opposers lets light shine in good works so others glorify the Father in heaven.
When error is promoted within the church or new and strange ideas and foolish questions arise, those walking in the light should stay calm, seek wisdom from God, and wisely instruct opposers in meekness rather than respond with excitement, strife, controversy, denunciation, or argument over false claims. Minds should be directed to what Scripture plainly reveals, and curiosity about side issues on which salvation does not depend should not be encouraged. False doctrine is best countered by clearly presenting gospel truth and letting the weakness of error become clear, for the truths of the gospel weaken evil, and those who err should be treated with tenderness and compassion so their hearts may be reached.
During a special effort to proclaim the truth every church member should impress the standard of no contention with gentleness, teaching ability, and patience on the heart and bring it into practical life in evangelistic work to win people to Christ. This means not remaining self-satisfied, indifferent, backslidden, and uninfluenced while the Word of God is being presented, but waking up and acting a part in sustaining the work, clearing the King's highway, and living in perfect harmony. It means helping with means, being on hand at the meetings armed and equipped for service and ready to talk with anyone interested, praying continually even while going about daily duties, drawing strength from Christ, being filled with deepest gratitude that God is working, and laboring together with Him for the lost sheep.
In giving spiritual help to neighbors and strangers, including in selling Christ's Object Lessons, and in labor at camp-meetings, the worker must labor in the meekness of Christ and the love of God to communicate the light of truth. When called to defend a point of faith he must not quarrel or show self-assertion even when strong in faith, but be gentle to all, apt to teach, and patient, instructing opposers in meekness so God may give them repentance to acknowledge truth. This revelation of the meekness and gentleness of Jesus bears testimony before angels and men to the power of truth, makes a favorable impression, and, joined with dependence on God and surrender to His Spirit, allows Him to use the worker's spirit and actions to break the enemy's power over souls. Being apt to teach is essential to holding what is gained, for the educator sees talent that should be employed, develops and cultivates it, trains the inexperienced, presses them into service, and enlists lay members and teaches them to work, so the awakened interest can be cared for and the work keep advancing instead of leaving people feeling they can do little themselves and must have a minister for everything.
The same instruction forbids taking a position of warfare or retaliation even when work is made difficult and irritation is provoked, as applied to Dr. Kellogg and to those around him. Those deceived by error are to be treated gently but corrected faithfully, with saving truth repeated and wrong reproved with meekness and firmness so people may be freed from deception and learn to live in a way that honors Christ. Church school teachers as servants of the Lord must work under the Holy Spirit and reveal in their own lives the transforming power of truth, continually improving their own capabilities so they can teach pupils how to truly improve in physical, mental, and spiritual health. In reforming neglected children decision is necessary yet they must never be harsh and condemnatory or manifest an overbearing spirit, but must keep calm and refuse to be provoked, thereby revealing the better way, and they need the cooperation of parents.
Home and childhood teachers chosen for daily instruction must be able to teach and be consecrated servants of Christ, growing in knowledge while imparting instruction and doing a definite work in missionary service by instructing children. Fathers and mothers must unite in providing a place for this instruction and cooperate with the teacher, laboring earnestly for the salvation of their children, and by doing the work desired at this time in these small educating centers the plans of the enemy for the children will be frustrated. In personal labor the servant seeks right principles and purposes with lips cleansed as by a live coal from the altar and with pure, sanctified, unselfish words bearing God's approval, praying more and talking less, and giving no chance for words to be misinterpreted and used as a whip to hurt brethren. Personal conversation can accomplish much in work with those who oppose the truth when the worker avoids rashness and discourtesy and presents Christ and the truth as it is in Jesus, meekly instructing those who oppose themselves so God may give them repentance to acknowledging the truth and recovery out of the snare of the devil.
The verse is to be studied and practiced to gain a sense of the exceeding sinfulness of sin, to draw nigh to God, to get discernment of the character of sin, to resist the devil, to stand guarded when temptations continue and Satan seeks to debase mind and character, and to keep the barriers of the soul from giving way. It calls for turning from the path of those who do wickedly, avoiding building up self in self-righteousness over those who have been overcome, and being fully on the side of God as a co-worker with Him to rescue souls from death and hide a multitude of sins. Rejection is not a reason to despair or give up, for labor with the patience and meekness of Christ and perseverance in this work can save a soul whose influence helps save many others. Correction is to be given meekly and without quarrelsomeness, with gentleness, patience, readiness to teach, kindness and courtesy, and sincere desire to save those in danger, so they may acknowledge truth, repent, and escape the devil's snare, for true religion shows itself steadily in words and actions, not in occasional displays, while refusing to acknowledge error and turning from truth can keep the Holy Spirit from correcting character and leave one in danger.
The servant of God must not be quarrelsome, contentious, excited or combative, retaliating or striving about words to no profit, but must be gentle to all people, skillful in teaching, and patient with self-control, kindness and calm dignity. Aptness to teach means knowing Scripture correctly and presenting it so as to awaken thought, energy and courage, while shunning foolish questions and disputes over words that breed strife and subvert hearers. Those who oppose the truth are to be instructed and corrected in meekness, humility, love and calm patience rather than with harshness or fault-finding, leaving the result with God in hope that He will grant repentance unto acknowledging the truth so they may escape the snare of the devil. Gentleness in controversy is strength and not weakness, for patient kindness, divine love and clear presentation of Christ and the truth overcome prejudice and stubbornness, while angry, hasty or condemnatory words give no light and break influence. This is the qualification for ministers and all Christian workers, requiring them to put away envy, party spirit and strife with one another, to train others to teach also, and to live in kindness and courtesy toward all.
Words and Immediate Context
The servant must not be quarrelsome, contentious, excited, boisterous, stormy or combative in manner. That forbidding rules out retaliation, rashness, discourtesy, sharp debate aimed only to defeat opponents, and stirring conflict by argument. It also rules out striving about words to no profit, which subverts the hearers, and foolish and unlearned questions, because they produce strife. God's Spirit never leads to contention, strife or alienation.
Instead the servant is to be gentle toward all people and toward everyone, with patience and long-suffering. That gentleness is shown in pure, sanctified and unselfish words, in kindness, courtesy, tenderness, self-control and calm dignity. It belongs to Christ's representatives even when instructing those who oppose the truth, seeking their repentance and release from the devil's snare.
Being apt to teach means being able, ready and skilled to teach, able to present Scripture intelligently and correctly. It means being able to inspire thought, awaken energy, and give courage and life. Those who teach Bible truth should learn to read correctly and become able to teach before addressing the public. A teacher who follows this discerns opportunities to do good and combines enthusiasm with dignity, and high literary qualifications are not essential where there are insight into human nature, love for the work, appreciation of its importance, willingness to improve and earnest perseverance, enabling understanding of pupils' needs and, through a sympathetic and progressive spirit, inspiring them to follow onward and upward.
The verse stands with avoiding foolish and unlearned questions knowing that they gender strifes, and with shunning striving about words to no profit that subverts the hearers. It stands with following righteousness, faith, charity and peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart, and with walking as children of light with the fruit of the Spirit in all goodness and righteousness and truth, proving what is acceptable unto the Lord. It belongs with studying to be approved by God and rightly dividing the word of truth. It belongs with letting the foundation of God stand sure, departing from iniquity, enduring hardness as a good soldier, holding fast sound words in faith and love, and committing truth to faithful men able to teach others.
Meek Correction Toward Repentance
Those who oppose themselves and oppose the truth, held captive by the devil to do his will, are to be instructed and corrected in meekness, humility, love, calmness and patience. This meek correction refuses excitement, harshness, rashness, discourtesy and fault-finding, refuses quarrels about words and foolish unlearned questions that gender strife, and instead deals gently with all with skill in teaching and long-suffering endurance. It avoids arguments that stir conflict and stays calm toward those in error rather than responding with strife.
The servant leaves the result with God, laboring in hope that He will grant repentance to the acknowledging of the truth. That repentance is unto recovery of themselves and escape from the snare of the devil. Those who oppose the keeping of the Lord's Sabbath are opposing themselves and placing stumbling blocks in their own way.
The work is done by presenting Christ and the truth as it is in Jesus. It sets the light and power of truth against error so that truth itself answers objections, giving each objection its due rather than dismissing it or bearing down on the objector, repeating saving truth and letting the weakness of error become clear. It does not argue contentiously to defeat opponents, does not argue over false claims or give them more publicity, and does not teach in any other manner, since any other manner creates confusion. When error is promoted even within the church, those walking in the light stay calm, seek wisdom from God, and patiently instruct.
Gentleness in controversy is strength, not weakness. Calm dignity and divine love, with patient kindness and good works, can overcome prejudice, stubbornness and spiritual blindness, convince by truth and sound arguments, and draw souls to conversion rather than seeking mastery. Self-control and a gentle, tender, considerate manner toward even inconsistent, unreasonable and unworthy persons, toward youth born into temptation and toward those to whom truth comes as a strange doctrine in darkness, preserves Christian influence and shows sincere concern for souls, helping them recognize their own wrong. A few angry, hasty, condemnatory, sharp or retaliating words give no light, add no intelligence, cannot convert, create hardness of heart, may prove a savor of death unto death, and break the bonds of influence that might draw someone toward God.
The servant must never speak unwise judging words, such as telling an inquirer that Satan has blinded his understanding. When he cannot show from God's Word that someone is wrong, he must hold his peace rather than criticize, stir prejudice, or censure without weighty reasons, and must not act from a combative spirit but correct error calmly from Scripture. He must give no chance for words to be misinterpreted and used as a whip to hurt brethren, but must speak pure, sanctified, unselfish words bearing God's approval, with lips cleansed as by a live coal, praying more and talking less.
Servants Called to Live It
The verse lays out what qualifies ministers for God's work and shapes Christian service in every conference. The servant in gospel work refuses quarrels about words and foolish unlearned questions that produce strife, and instead deals gently with all people, with skill in teaching and patience. Even those who oppose themselves are corrected in meekness, in hope that God will grant repentance to acknowledge truth and escape the devil's snare. This belongs with studying to be approved by God and rightly dividing the word of truth, and it guides ministers as they examine new claims from Scripture and instruct those who oppose the truth. Ministers of Christ war not merely against men but against Satan and his angels, so the work must not be done in a boisterous, stormy manner but requires wise generalship, self-discipline, wholehearted devotion, Bible study, ability in word and doctrine, acquaintance with Scripture to give reasons of the faith, and convincing power through strong arguments presented in meekness and fear of God. More than mere head knowledge or reading and teaching is demanded; it demands knowing the true God and Jesus Christ whom He sent, becoming a diligent student of Scripture, holding fast sound words in faith and love, enduring hardness as a good soldier, being strong in grace, and carrying fatherly responsibility for spiritual welfare through prayer and personal care for souls.
Fitness for oversight, including appointment as presidents of conferences as overseers of the flock, requires men of good repute and thorough integrity, not novices. They must have not only knowledge of Scripture but experience in faith and patience, as intelligent students of the word who are apt to teach and able to teach others also. From the treasure-house they bring things new and old, and in meekness and patience they instruct even those who oppose the truth. In character, words, and deportment they honor Christ and the cause by teaching the truth and living the truth, growing up to full stature in Christ through development and strengthening of every faculty by exercise to bear larger responsibilities.
Being apt to teach means being an educator who commits truth to faithful men able to teach others, so what is gained is held and the work advances. Such a teacher sees talent that should be employed, develops and cultivates it, trains the inexperienced, presses them into service, enlists lay members and teaches them to work, instead of leaving people feeling they can do little themselves and must have a minister for everything. Religion must not be made to consist mostly in controversy that provokes discussion and forces objectionable features of faith to an issue. The servant qualifies as a teacher in all branches of the work and not merely one, by cultivating the intellect and storing useful knowledge to build for God's glory instead of spending time on nonessentials, dealing kindly with all, and bearing opposition with patience and humility so God may grant repentance to the acknowledging of the truth.
The servant who presents truth must be converted and offer the cup full of the preciousness of God by the Holy Spirit, not the wine of Babylon which is doctrines of error. Souls are valued as worth saving, mind and thoughts are kept in captivity to the will of Christ, and beholding changes character from glory to glory, placing a right estimate upon humanity under God's controlling power. He stands to the front and speaks the words God has given, having fallen upon the Rock and been broken so the power of Christ is felt. He lets the Word speak to the soul and teaches that Word and impresses it upon every mind, bringing Bible truth with a Thus saith the Scriptures instead of human revealings and devices. The teaching to be given is that the foundation of God stands sure, the Lord knows those who are His, and everyone naming the name of Christ must depart from iniquity, and deep searching of the sure word of prophecy and making that Word the counselor is the only safety, while turning from it to depend on a human agent is turning from the fountain of living waters to broken cisterns.
Unity Without Party Strife
The servant of the Lord must not strive with one another, and this puts away envy, jealousy, evil suspicion, party spirit, and selfish ambition. Freed from these, Christlike love leads to Christian kindness and tenderness to all without strife. The servant continues patiently in doing good rather than censuring and condemning others, and this brings God's approval.
When believers meet together to investigate points of faith where there is difference of opinion, those standing in defense of truth must be calm and self-possessed, kind and courteous with the mind of Christ. They must not regard themselves as infallible, must not look with contempt on those who differ, and must not regard them as enemies. They must not strive or use harsh language, and must not meet those who differ with ridicule or jesting. The same rule forbids quarreling over truth or pressing it in combativeness, firmness and self-esteem, questioning and condemning those who do not fully endorse one's views while excusing those who do. Instead the servant is gentle to all, able to teach, patient, instructing opposers in meekness with a teachable spirit and leaving it to God to grant repentance to the acknowledging of the truth. Self must die and defects of character must be corrected, for using precious truth as a subject to dispute over makes light appear as darkness, disgusts friends and relatives, turns souls away, and proves a stumbling-block, while gentleness lets light shine in good works so others glorify the Father in heaven.
The servant must be kind and courteous to all, especially to workers under his charge and to minds he influences. Sharp traits, a commanding manner, and wounding tone or ideas violate the verse and bring reproach on holy faith. A character after the divine Model manifests kindness, love, mercy and truth in attitude, words and daily life, treating others tenderly because they were bought by the blood of Christ, directing and advising rather than commanding. Such gentleness preaches a daily sermon, wins souls, and wins the confidence of the young and of fellow laborers. In the work of educating children, a consecrated teacher serves Christ by imparting instruction and growing in knowledge, and unkind and hasty speech has no place in that work. A servant of God must deal with people gently rather than with an irritable or combative spirit, for meekness, gentleness, love, and patience help represent the faith rightly and keep Christ's religion from appearing harsh or repulsive.
Faithful Practice in Situations
In health reform the servant must not quarrel over truth or press it with combativeness, firmness and self-esteem, questioning and condemning those who do not fully endorse his views while excusing those who do. Self must die and defects of character must be corrected, with a teachable spirit and the mind of Christ, leaving it to God to grant repentance to the acknowledging of the truth. Using precious truth as a subject to dispute over makes light appear as darkness, disgusts friends and relatives, turns souls away, and proves a stumbling-block, while gentleness to all, ability to teach, patience, and meek instruction of opposers lets light shine in good works so others glorify the Father in heaven.
When error is promoted within the church or new and strange ideas and foolish questions arise, those walking in the light should stay calm, seek wisdom from God, and wisely instruct opposers in meekness rather than respond with excitement, strife, controversy, denunciation, or argument over false claims. Minds should be directed to what Scripture plainly reveals, and curiosity about side issues on which salvation does not depend should not be encouraged. False doctrine is best countered by clearly presenting gospel truth and letting the weakness of error become clear, for the truths of the gospel weaken evil, and those who err should be treated with tenderness and compassion so their hearts may be reached.
During a special effort to proclaim the truth every church member should impress the standard of no contention with gentleness, teaching ability, and patience on the heart and bring it into practical life in evangelistic work to win people to Christ. This means not remaining self-satisfied, indifferent, backslidden, and uninfluenced while the Word of God is being presented, but waking up and acting a part in sustaining the work, clearing the King's highway, and living in perfect harmony. It means helping with means, being on hand at the meetings armed and equipped for service and ready to talk with anyone interested, praying continually even while going about daily duties, drawing strength from Christ, being filled with deepest gratitude that God is working, and laboring together with Him for the lost sheep.
In giving spiritual help to neighbors and strangers, including in selling Christ's Object Lessons, and in labor at camp-meetings, the worker must labor in the meekness of Christ and the love of God to communicate the light of truth. When called to defend a point of faith he must not quarrel or show self-assertion even when strong in faith, but be gentle to all, apt to teach, and patient, instructing opposers in meekness so God may give them repentance to acknowledge truth. This revelation of the meekness and gentleness of Jesus bears testimony before angels and men to the power of truth, makes a favorable impression, and, joined with dependence on God and surrender to His Spirit, allows Him to use the worker's spirit and actions to break the enemy's power over souls. Being apt to teach is essential to holding what is gained, for the educator sees talent that should be employed, develops and cultivates it, trains the inexperienced, presses them into service, and enlists lay members and teaches them to work, so the awakened interest can be cared for and the work keep advancing instead of leaving people feeling they can do little themselves and must have a minister for everything.
The same instruction forbids taking a position of warfare or retaliation even when work is made difficult and irritation is provoked, as applied to Dr. Kellogg and to those around him. Those deceived by error are to be treated gently but corrected faithfully, with saving truth repeated and wrong reproved with meekness and firmness so people may be freed from deception and learn to live in a way that honors Christ. Church school teachers as servants of the Lord must work under the Holy Spirit and reveal in their own lives the transforming power of truth, continually improving their own capabilities so they can teach pupils how to truly improve in physical, mental, and spiritual health. In reforming neglected children decision is necessary yet they must never be harsh and condemnatory or manifest an overbearing spirit, but must keep calm and refuse to be provoked, thereby revealing the better way, and they need the cooperation of parents.
Home and childhood teachers chosen for daily instruction must be able to teach and be consecrated servants of Christ, growing in knowledge while imparting instruction and doing a definite work in missionary service by instructing children. Fathers and mothers must unite in providing a place for this instruction and cooperate with the teacher, laboring earnestly for the salvation of their children, and by doing the work desired at this time in these small educating centers the plans of the enemy for the children will be frustrated. In personal labor the servant seeks right principles and purposes with lips cleansed as by a live coal from the altar and with pure, sanctified, unselfish words bearing God's approval, praying more and talking less, and giving no chance for words to be misinterpreted and used as a whip to hurt brethren. Personal conversation can accomplish much in work with those who oppose the truth when the worker avoids rashness and discourtesy and presents Christ and the truth as it is in Jesus, meekly instructing those who oppose themselves so God may give them repentance to acknowledging the truth and recovery out of the snare of the devil.
The verse is to be studied and practiced to gain a sense of the exceeding sinfulness of sin, to draw nigh to God, to get discernment of the character of sin, to resist the devil, to stand guarded when temptations continue and Satan seeks to debase mind and character, and to keep the barriers of the soul from giving way. It calls for turning from the path of those who do wickedly, avoiding building up self in self-righteousness over those who have been overcome, and being fully on the side of God as a co-worker with Him to rescue souls from death and hide a multitude of sins. Rejection is not a reason to despair or give up, for labor with the patience and meekness of Christ and perseverance in this work can save a soul whose influence helps save many others. Correction is to be given meekly and without quarrelsomeness, with gentleness, patience, readiness to teach, kindness and courtesy, and sincere desire to save those in danger, so they may acknowledge truth, repent, and escape the devil's snare, for true religion shows itself steadily in words and actions, not in occasional displays, while refusing to acknowledge error and turning from truth can keep the Holy Spirit from correcting character and leave one in danger.