3:19Ezekiel 3:19

God sets the watchman over His people to hear the word at His mouth and warn the wicked from his wicked way to save his life.ST2 6.3+2 If the wicked is warned yet turns not from his wickedness nor from his wicked way, he shall die in his iniquity, guilty for his own sin with his blood upon his own head, for the warning tells him that sin ends in death.STA 114.1+4 If the watchman faithfully warns, he has delivered his own soul and is cleared and free from responsibility for the hearer's refusal and fate even if the wicked dies in sin.STA 114.1+2 If he fails to warn, the blood of souls is upon his garments and he bears the sin and must answer for it in the judgment for the good he left undone.2T 506.1+2 This charge is personal and solemn whether they hear or refuse to hear, laid upon ministers as shepherds and watchmen, upon parents over their children, and upon every one who knows the truth to warn neighbors, and it must be given plainly and unsparingly without softening, yet mildly and tenderly with weeping and pleading to lead sinners to Christ.GW92 88.1+4

The verse appoints the watchman to the house of Israel to hear the word at God's mouth and give warning from Him, to warn the wicked from his wicked way and from his wickedness to save his life.ST2 6.3+4 That duty is personal and solemn to both warner and hearer, and the warning must be given whether they hear or refuse to hear.Lt 43, 1886, par. 1–5+1 If the warning is faithfully given and the wicked still turns not, his guilt and blood rest on himself, while the watchman who warned is cleared, free from responsibility for his blood, and has delivered his own soul.ST2 6.3+4

When peril and danger threaten, the people must be told and not left in darkness, for the watchman must speak when danger is seen.STBk 114.1+3 In these last days that danger must be openly raised, and reproofs, warnings, admonitions and advice must come to hearts by God's prophets to hew off rough edges, change heart and character, make them after Christ's pattern, and keep them in the way of the Lord instead of trusting in men and making flesh their arm.Ms 40, 1890, par. 22–24 Faithful sentinels on the watchtower for the remnant must make known the dangers and perils thickening about the people of God that have been laid open since 1845.Ms 61, 1890, par. 24–25

Great scenes are soon to open, and the Lord is coming with power and great glory.Ms 61, 1890, par. 24–25 Satan knows his usurped authority will soon be forever at an end, his last opportunity to gain control of the world is now before him, and he will make most decided efforts with his forces in activity in his last work of rebellion to accomplish the destruction of the inhabitants of the earth with more and more enmity against good.Ms 61, 1890, par. 24–25 If watchmen are unfaithful, Satan will suggest specious reasonings to them and they will utter opinions that betray sacred, holy trusts, while every soul not fully surrendered to God and kept by divine power will form alliance with Satan against heaven and join battle against the Ruler of the universe.Ms 61, 1890, par. 24–25

There is in these words no encouragement for the worker who is unfaithful in his labors.Ms 11, 1908, par. 6 The worker must depend wholly on God while faithfully doing his appointed part in proclaiming the truth, even proclaiming the final invitation of mercy when opposition or consequences make him afraid.Lt 58, 1895, par. 22–25+1 His duty is to speak and leave results to God.4SP 427.2 To keep silent when warning is needed is to be unfaithful to the shepherd's and watchman's trust on the walls of Zion.Lt 245a, 1903, par. 1 Watchmen must be wide-awake at their post of duty day and night and give the trumpet a certain sound so the people shun evil and choose good, for sleeping under stupidity, careless indifference, and Satan's opiate, failing to recognize the voice of the true Shepherd, and failing to take up the warning brings guilt for lost souls and leaves helpless wrecks among breakers and hidden rocks all who do not make God their refuge, distrust self, give up unapproved ways, plans and ideas, keep the way of the Lord, make God counselor, and in faith work away from self.Ms 18, 1888, par. 16+1

The verse sets the watchman over the house of Israel to hear the word at God's mouth and to warn the wicked from his wicked way to save his life, and when peril and danger threaten the people must be told and not left in darkness.STBk 114.1+2 If the wicked is warned yet turns not from his wickedness nor from his wicked way, he shall die in his iniquity.STA 114.1+4 His death is in his own sin, guilty for his own sin with his blood upon his own head, while the watchman who gave the warning has delivered his own soul and life and is freed and cleared from responsibility for the hearer's refusal and fate.STA 114.1+4

The faithful warning tells the wicked his danger in plain and unsparing terms, not suffering a brother to continue in sin unwarned.Lt 43, 1886, par. 1–5+1 It tells him that sin ends in death and that the wages of sin is death.Lt 43, 1886, par. 1–5+2 The duty is personal and solemn to both warner and hearer, requiring the one who sees the danger of a sinner losing his soul if he dies as he is to warn him of his errors and of the sinfulness of his thoughts and the offensive character of his works before God.Lt 43, 1886, par. 1–5+1 If the wicked is so warned and does not put his sins away, he will die guilty in his own iniquity and be lost, but the one who warned is cleared and has delivered his own soul from responsibility for his blood.Lt 43, 1886, par. 1–5+2

Uncorrected sin after warning can make the warned sinner a dangerous influence who harms and endangers other souls.Lt 14, 1893, par. 3+1 This is seen when those reproved for theft and other sins treat the warning as a message from God with contempt, rejecting it and attacking the messengers while persisting in sin, thereby remaining accountable and endangering other souls.Lt 14, 1893, par. 3+1 The one who warned them even if they refuse to turn and die in their sin has discharged the responsibility to warn and is free of responsibility for their death, while failing to warn leaves the watchman accountable for the souls lost.Lt 14, 1893, par. 3+1

If the watchman faithfully warns the wicked to turn from his evil way and from his wickedness to save his life, and the warned refuses to turn and dies in his iniquity, the watchman has delivered his own soul and his own life.STA 114.1+4 He is freed from blame for the ruin, his garments are freed from the blood of souls, he is cleared and free from responsibility for the hearer's refusal and fate and for his blood, and the sinner dies guilty for his own sin.STA 114.1+4 When peril and danger threaten the people must be told and not left in darkness, for the one set over the house of Israel to hear the word at God's mouth fulfills his responsibility by faithfully raising the voice of warning even if the warned refuses to repent.STA 114.1+2 One professing to be a watchman on the walls of Zion and a shepherd to the flock must watch for evil and danger lest the sheep be harmed and destroyed by wolves, and must give warning when the sheep are torn and scattered.GW92 88.1+1 He cannot excuse suffering the flock to stray from the true pasture to be torn and scattered and devoured by saying the sheep led him astray, for such a plea only condemns his fitness to watch, to bring back the straying, and to be trusted as a faithful shepherd, and if he sees the poor sheep torn and scattered and gives no warning he is an unfaithful watchman who discerns not the evil, with the sin and terrible results of fanaticism, scattering and ruin resting heavily upon him.GW92 88.1+1

Faithful, kind, mild and tender warning is to be given to lead the erring to cease doing evil and learn to do right, and it delivers the one who warns even when every effort to save the erring fails.2T 53.2+1 The effort may be repaid with evil, anger and rage and persistence in the evil course begun and have no good effect.2T 53.2+1 When the warning is rejected the blessing sought for the other returns into the warner's bosom and into the bosom of the faithful one.2T 53.2+1 The unrepentant who persist in sin are then to be treated kindly and left with God and with the heavenly Father, for the warner has delivered his soul, their sin no longer rests upon him and he has no part in their sins, while if they perish their guilt and blood are upon their own heads.2T 53.2+1

Softening plain, cutting reproof to spare the erring or to spare oneself distress is unfaithfulness, danger and sin that leaves blood on one's garments, for the one charged to warn must declare exactly what the Lord has revealed.LSEGW 90.3–91.2 If he neglects it the guilt and despair of the unwarned rest upon him, his garments are stained with blood, Jesus looks upon him with a frown and turns His face from him, and he feels in some degree what the lost will feel when they seek to hide from wrath.LSEGW 90.3–91.2 If he is faithful to the end, though he must suffer much, his soul is delivered, he has Jesus' approval, God's grace is sufficient for him, and he shall eat of the tree of life and drink of the river of the water of life.LSEGW 90.3–91.2 Every soul that believes the truth is to be a witness to it and, made amenable to Christ by conversion, to become a worker together with God by going out into the fields around, becoming acquainted with people in their homes and cottages, reading the Word to them with kindness and interest, and giving thorough instruction, and only by earnest seeking of God, as rising from a resurrection from being dead and twice dead and pulled up by the roots, does the believer deliver his soul.Ms 180, 1907, par. 19–20

A watchman delivers his own soul only by faithfully warning the wicked and fully doing the work God gave him to do.Lt 6a, 1860, par. 13–15+1 He must remain at the assigned work until it is done and leave no means untried, with watchfulness, prayer and humility before God, and he is free from responsibility for their blood only when he has faithfully warned them to turn from their evil way though they refuse and die in their sin.Lt 6a, 1860, par. 13–15+1 If those who should warn and labor let a set human will, the desire to gratify others, and hindering influences turn them aside and make God's cause secondary, souls under conviction who needed truth enforced home to decide will be left to other influences and decide on the wrong side, and the unfaithful laborer is accountable for those souls.Lt 6a, 1860, par. 13–15 If the one warned will not let self-will die, will not deny self and submit the will to God, and will not seek God's glory above personal wishes, that domineering self must be subdued or God will not own such a one, and the unwarned or uncorrected sinner will die in iniquity and fail of eternal life.Lt 6a, 1860, par. 13–15

If the watchman fails to warn, the blood of souls is upon his garments, he bears their sin and is accountable and must answer for it when judgment sits.2T 506.1+2 He will be required to render an account for the good he could have done had he been consecrated to God but left undone through selfishness, indolence, indifference, shame of the cross, sleepiness about his work, and unfaithfulness.2T 506.1+1 Those who make high profession yet feel at ease and irresponsible while souls perish around them for want of light and knowledge are guilty of wonderful negligence when, having come in contact with them, they never warned them, never prayed with or for them, and never made earnest efforts to present the truth to them.MC 52.2+1 Ministers called as watchmen and as spiritual physicians for backsliders and sinners are required to feel a burden for their salvation, to have skill in treating souls diseased with sin, and to warn with weeping and pleading, and indifference to their salvation leaves souls past cure to die in their sins.2T 506.1 They are under the same warning not to leave the people spiritless and inactive by failing to do what they might do to educate them upon all points of truth and duty.4T 392.3 Parents stand as watchmen over their children, and when false sympathy and blind love cause them to excuse faults and pass them by without restraint and correction, their children are lost in consequence and the blood of their souls rests upon the parents, who not only plant thorns that wound them in this life but meet their own unfaithfulness at the judgment where many children will rise up to condemn them and charge their destruction upon them.SG4 208.2 Sleeping under Satan's opiate, failing to recognize the voice of the true Shepherd, and failing to take up the warning brings guilt for lost souls, and stupidity and careless indifference cannot be excused, for breakers and hidden rocks on every side will dash in pieces and leave helpless wrecks all who do not make God their refuge and help.Ms 18, 1888, par. 16 Watchmen must therefore be wide-awake at their post day and night and give the trumpet a certain sound so the people shun evil and choose good, with every soul distrustful of self, giving up his own ways, plans, and ideas that God cannot approve, keeping the way of the Lord to do His will, making God his counselor, and in faith working away from self.Ms 18, 1888, par. 16

In the day of God and in the Judgment the unwarned lost will confront and accuse those who failed them, saying they are lost because no one warned them, entreated them with prayers and tears and warnings to come to Jesus, prayed and labored for them, led them to see sin and transgression of the law of God, and lifted hand or voice to save them.SBAWP 20.3–21.1+2 Those who died in their sins will confront with reproaches of guilt those who might have saved them but did not.2T 506.1 Christians who associate with unbelievers and claim a saved state yet fail to tell them day and night of their danger, arouse them to see their lost condition, and point them to Christ as the only One who can save them will be charged to their face with neglect by the wicked lost in their sins.2T 181.1 The Master will then demand what was done to save the souls of neighbors and why those who might have been warned are among the unsaved, and God will require the souls of the unwarned at the hands of those who had light to diffuse and did nothing.SBAWP 20.3–21.1+2 There is no excuse for this neglect of souls, and in light from the life of the Master and the cross of Calvary all must arouse and take the burden of fellow men on their own hearts and follow every judgment-bound soul.SBAWP 20.3–21.1+1 Souls lost through an unfaithful minister who yields to inclination rather than duty, indulges self at the expense of spiritual strength, lessens vigor by unholy thoughts and selfish plans, and moves indiscreetly, fitfully and without consecration, building up and then tearing down and disheartening the very souls his truth converted until they lose confidence, will rise up in the judgment to condemn him, with their blood found upon his garments.Lt 29a, 1872, par. 56–61

A terrible retribution awaits unfaithful ministers who fail to warn the wicked of the coming hour of judgment, and they will not escape the wrath of God.2T 506.1+1 Ministers who teach that all the world will be converted and cry peace, peace to quiet fear, and who call those who give true warning fanatics and evil men, keep people from receiving truth that would have saved them from the plagues, and in the time of the plagues the lost will turn on such ministers with bitter hate for not warning them, and the ministers will suffer tenfold greater than their people.SG1 200.2 The one charged to warn must bear God's plain notes of warning, tell the wicked his danger that the wages of sin is death, declare exactly what the Lord has revealed, and not suffer a brother to continue in sin unwarned.17MR 99.2+1 Softening plain, cutting reproof to spare the erring or to spare oneself distress is unfaithfulness, danger and sin that leaves blood on one's garments and shows the watchman's own soul is not right before God.17MR 99.2+1 If he neglects it, the guilt and despair of the unwarned rest upon him, his garments are stained with blood, Jesus looks upon him with a frown and turns His face from him, and he feels in some degree what the lost will feel when they seek to hide from wrath.LSEGW 90.3–91.2

The silent one who sees a brother sin contrary to the commandments of God, sees the danger of a sinner losing his soul if he dies as he is, and yet says nothing and passes by and leaves the sinner to be taken away in his iniquity will lose his own soul and will have to give an account for the souls lost through his silence.Ms 156, 1904, par. 26 To withhold the warning leaves the watchman's own soul chargeable with the sinner's sin, for he was required as a faithful watchman to warn him of his errors and of the sinfulness of his thoughts and the offensive character of his works before God.Lt 43, 1886, par. 15–17+1 Such failure to watch for opportunities to do good and to act his part, to shine as lights, impart the treasure of the knowledge of the love of Christ and the light given, warn the wicked, and lead souls to piety and devotion, causes souls left in darkness to rise in the judgment and charge upon them the blood of their souls.Ms 21, 1890, par. 22–23 It makes them agents in the hands of the enemy of God and man to mislead and deceive by profession of Christianity, having a name to live while spiritually dead for lack of the vitalizing influence of the Spirit richly provided to faith, so that they not only deprive others of light they could bring but suffer loss themselves and imperil their own souls.Ms 21, 1890, par. 22–23 The duty includes facing sin as offensive to God, living near to Jesus, protesting against iniquity and disobedience of God's requirements, strictly disciplining self, and allowing no unsanctified influence to weaken others, even when the warning is dreaded and painful to give.17MR 105.1

Ministers called of God are accountable as watchmen on the walls of Zion and shepherds of the flock, charged to watch for evil and danger lest the sheep stray from the true pasture and be torn and scattered and devoured by wolves.GW92 88.1+2 A shepherd exists to bring back the straying and to give warning when the sheep are torn and scattered, and he cannot excuse suffering the flock to stray and be destroyed by saying the sheep led him astray, for such a plea only condemns his fitness to watch and to be trusted as a faithful shepherd.GW92 88.1+2 As spiritual physicians they are required to feel a burden for backsliders and sinners around them, to have skill in treating souls diseased with sin, and to warn sinners with weeping and pleading, while indifference to their salvation and sleepiness about the work is unfaithfulness.2T 506.1 Their vigilance must constantly increase as the close of time nears, with constant rising to greater heights in Christian experience and holy purpose, and pulpit labor alone is not enough, for the work requires seeing and discovering dangers, setting them continually before the people, watching with solicitude the development of character, and giving warning.Lt 25, 1884, par. 3–4 If a minister yields to inclination rather than duty, indulges self at the expense of spiritual strength, lessens mental and physical vigor by unholy thoughts and selfish plans, and moves indiscreetly and fitfully without consecration, building up and then tearing down and disheartening the very souls his truth converted until their confidence is lost, the good he might have done is marred.Lt 29a, 1872, par. 56–61

Parents stand as watchmen over their children, and a guardian is answerable for the soul of a child placed in his house.SG4 208.2+3 When false sympathy and blind love cause parents to excuse faults and pass them by without restraint, correction and guidance, their children are lost in consequence and the blood of their souls rests upon the parents, who not only plant thorns that wound them in this life but meet their own unfaithfulness at the judgment where many children will rise up to condemn them and charge their destruction upon them.SG4 208.2+2 Duty requires keeping close watch over the influences surrounding the child, waking to inquire and learn the cause when she becomes less susceptible to truth, and reasoning from cause to effect when prejudice and determined opposition to Christians and truth arise.Lt 1, 1870, par. 3–6 If the home influence withers, blasts and desolates hope, faith and confidence in the heart of the child, the guardian is not clear even if he loved her with a father's affection and gained her love in return, and personal comfort from her presence is no sufficient reason to keep her under that influence, but he must remove her and find a place where she will be under right influence rather than let her go home unconverted and prejudiced against truth and religion.Lt 1, 1870, par. 3–6

Every professed follower of Christ, every man, woman and youth who professes godliness and who has light and knows the truth and the Bible, must feel the danger and perilous condition of those out of Christ and warn wicked neighbors in the home, among neighbors, among those connected in worldly business and living close beside them, following every judgment-bound soul with prayers and tears and warnings and entreaties to come to Jesus.MYP 204.2+4 None are excused in indifference and indolence, for those who could have exerted an influence to save souls had they stood in the counsel of God, but fail through selfishness, indolence or shame of the cross, will not only lose their own souls but have the blood of sinners upon their garments and be required to render an account for the good they could have done had they been consecrated but did not do through unfaithfulness.MYP 204.2+1 Truly converted men and women cannot be irresponsible for the salvation of souls, but must do earnest, energetic and persevering work with increased zeal to win sinners away from transgression to truth and righteousness and let the beams of light received shine upon others, for upon the Christian tree fruit of soul-saving always grows, and probation will soon close.MYP 204.2+1 Christians who associate with unbelievers must not rest day nor night without telling them of their danger, arousing them to see their lost condition and pointing them to Christ as the only One who can save them.2T 181.1

Those entrusted with God's law who look for the soon coming of Jesus in the clouds of heaven stand acquitted only if they do not turn a deaf ear to the crying needs of people who walk in shadows and sit in darkness, but deny self for Christ's sake and come to the rescue as earnest workers and true missionaries in cities and villages, with love for souls and desire to lead them into the fold of Christ, by preparing and distributing books, giving lessons and performing self-sacrificing duties to extend the light.4T 155.4–156.1 Those to whom God has lent money as faithful stewards must use it to keep the publishing of present truth going to hungry souls, for the warning must go by the paper where God's servants cannot go.Ms 2, 1850, par. 1 If the paper stops for lack of means and souls die for lack of it, the willing publisher who wanted to write and speed the message is free from fault, but the blood of souls is upon the garments of those who let their money lie idle, and those who let it die will soon weep in anguish.Ms 2, 1850, par. 1

Bearers of the most solemn, fearful and important third angel's message as sacred testing truth are held accountable for the way they handle it, and if defects of character betray them into sins which repulse souls and turn them from the truth, undermine the faith of the weak, or cause people to reject the truth, the blood of those souls will be upon their garments.Ms 33, 1900, par. 46–47+2 False teaching which excuses disobedience can lead others into sin and bring responsibility for their ruin upon those who mislead them.Ms 33, 1900, par. 46–47 Every act must be studied lest it become a stumbling block to others, for if careless or improper conduct disgusts unbelievers and places them where truth can never affect them, their blood will be found on the garments of the one who stumbled them.Lt 11, 1861, par. 10–14 Those who are more desirous to teach than to learn and never come to the knowledge of the truth, instead of pushing on the car of truth and salvation, stand directly before its wheels and hinder it, and as murmurers and accusers of the brethren they open the door for the enemy to come in and control them.Lt 14, 1874, par. 10

The charge to warn applies to warning people who are deceived and believe they are right, so they may turn from sin before they die.Lt 57, 1894, par. 1–4 It applies especially toward young people who have lost the sense of what God requires and are in danger through bad associations, cheap conversation, smoking and liquor-drinking, whom each person must warn, restrain from wrongdoing and point to the way of life with words of counsel in kindness and love, making straight paths for the feet lest the lame be turned out of the way, for influence upon associates is powerful for good or for evil.Ms 61, 1907, par. 10–12 It applies to those reproved for theft and other sins, where the warning is a message from God and rejecting it, attacking the messengers and persisting in sin leaves the sinner accountable and endangers other souls.Lt 14a, 1893, par. 21–24 It applies within the family where a wife without living connection with God and without the new birth exerts a harmful influence that endangers her husband, so that if he fails of eternal life the blood of his soul will be upon her garments.Lt 14, 1897, par. 12 It applies to failure to give patient, compassionate instruction that might have restored one like Sister Marks and helped her serve God, which leaves responsibility for the loss of her soul upon those who failed her.Lt 32, 1891, par. 10–11

Warning must be plain, unsparing, pointed and thorough, declaring all counsel of God without withholding anything painful for fear of giving offense or from desire for friendship, favor, applause or patronage.Lt 43, 1886, par. 1–5+4 It forbids softening or obstructing the warning so the wrongdoer feels less of its force, crying peace where there is no peace, shielding from needed reproof, covering up or hiding any phase of present truth for this time to gain favor, or weaving in sensational feeling-moving elements that leave the heart unchanged.8T 155.2+4 To soften plain cutting reproof to spare the erring or to spare oneself distress is unfaithfulness, danger and sin that leaves blood-stained garments, dishonors God, hinders correcting wrong and upholding righteousness, and brings guilt for lost souls.8T 155.2+3 The charge is to tell the wicked his danger that sin ends in death, to watch with deep solicitude the development of character, and to give from God's word the instruction applicable to each case, teaching faithfully every point of the Christian faith to show what must be and done to stand perfect in the day of God.Lt 43, 1886, par. 1–5+1

Warning must at the same time be given mildly and tenderly, with weeping and pleading, with prayers and tears and entreaties, in words of counsel spoken in kindness and love.2T 53.2+4 Its aim is to lead the erring to stop doing evil and learn to do right, to restrain from wrongdoing, to point to the way of life and to Christ as the only One who can save, and to urge to come to Jesus.2T 53.2+4 Even faithful kind warning may be repaid with evil, anger, rage and persistence in the evil course begun and have no good effect, and then the blessing sought for the other returns into the warner's own bosom.2T 53.2+1 The persistent are then to be treated kindly and left with God and the heavenly Father, for the warner no longer shares in their sin.2T 53.2+1 This tender urgency belongs to all the saved who feel the peril of the unsaved, who must not rest day nor night without telling of danger and arousing to see the lost condition, and it applies especially toward youth in danger through bad associations, cheap conversation, smoking and liquor-drinking, where influence is powerful for good or evil and straight paths must be made lest the lame be turned out of the way.RH May 7, 1901+2

Warning must be earnest, energetic and persevering work to win sinners away from transgression and sin to truth and righteousness, letting received light shine upon others so fruit of soul-saving always grows on the Christian tree.Lt 13, 1878, par. 10+4 It is borne out by loving words and a life shaped by Christ displaying Christlikeness and sacred observance of the Sabbath, by becoming acquainted with people in homes and cottages, reading the Word to them with kindness and interest, giving thorough instruction, praying with and for souls, and making earnest efforts to present truth.Lt 6a, 1893, par. 17–18+2 Conversion and feeling amenable to Christ makes believers workers together with God who go out into surrounding fields, and only such earnest seeking of God delivers the soul.Lt 13, 1878, par. 10+1 The warning must be earnest and thorough even when difficult to give, for silence leaves responsibility for souls harmed and uninstructed.Ms 68, 1910, par. 9–10+1

God designs that there should be men to reprove sin and wrong and that reproof must exist in the church, lest His people become careless and corrupt their ways before Him.3T 195.2–196.1+1 They must be awake and not stupid or asleep in regard to errors and sins among them, standing in defense of right, opposing wrong, repressing sin and corruption, and standing stiffly for truth at all times and under all circumstances.Ms 7, 1873, par. 36–37+1 When others become untrue to principle they must lift the voice in warning against apostasy, as shown by the rebellion of Israel in their travels and the visitation of God upon them because of their sins.Ms 7, 1873, par. 36–37+1 God's servant is not excused from faithfully reproving sin even when the task is disagreeable or the warning is resisted.3T 195.2–196.1

The minister who professes to be watchman on the walls of Zion and shepherd of the flock must watch for evil and danger lest sheep stray from true pasture and be torn and scattered, confused and destroyed by wolves.GW92 88.1+1 He cannot excuse suffering the flock to stray and be torn and devoured by saying the sheep led him astray, for such a plea only condemns his fitness to watch, to bring back the straying, and to be trusted as a faithful shepherd and guide and shield.GW92 88.1+1 He is held personally responsible for the result of his own wrongs and cannot throw blame upon others, but must confess what he himself did, not what others did nor what he did not do, with humble confession and thorough restitution wherever his influence opposed God's servants.1T 317.1–318.1 Until he manifests fruits of entire reform and gives evidence of conversion and victory over jealousy, the church cannot depend on him and God will not trust the flock to his care, and his best influence until then is to stay at home and work diligently in secular business.1T 317.1–318.1 To meet the charge and deliver his soul requires an entire change: settling into God, acting from principle rather than impulse, training the mind, crucifying the old man with affections and lusts, being balanced and regulated by God's Spirit, living a life of faith and prayer with vigor, clear thought and earnest prayer in reliance on God's strength rather than self, dwelling on Christ and the Pattern instead of self, making Jesus and righteousness the themes, feeling the worth of souls, seeking opportunities with individuals, and lifting the burden of pastoral labor involving a cross instead of following pleasure and inclination, trusting own strength and wisdom, doing God's work negligently, diverting minds, quenching awakened interest, and imperiling truth and salvation when meeting not men alone but principalities and powers with Satan and his angels.Lt 29, 1872, par. 51–54

Ministers must warn sinners in darkness by preserving God-given probationary time and health through living according to light on the body, with simple regular eating, abstinence from overeating and eating between meals, and vigorous physical labor.Lt 53, 1876, par. 42–45 Self-indulgence in diet and shunning exercise clogs the system, brings sickness, and robs God's cause of days of labor, leaving sinners to go down to graves in darkness who might have been warned, for which account will be required.Lt 53, 1876, par. 42–45 Likewise when cruel words and deeds have been said and done that embitter another and cast gloom upon his spirit, the one at fault must take those things back and make things as straight as possible with him, so skirts are clean from that person's blood and responsibility is freed.Ms 2, 1863, par. 22