Let not your good be evil spoken of means to guard words and actions so that what is good in faith, conduct and profession is not turned into reproach, examining whether one's course weakens influence and confidence. Its setting is that the kingdom of God is not food and drink but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, and serving Christ in these things makes one acceptable to God and approved by men through pursuing peace and edification. Conduct must agree with the Bible and keep a good name untarnished as capital more valuable than gold or silver, giving no cause for criticism, because opponents of the commandments use believers' mistakes to discredit the truth. Differences over diet and conscientious conviction must not become a barrier to unity, and health reform must not be pressed by extreme positions, tactless discussion or statements people are not ready for, lest the good be prejudiced and evil spoken of. The same guarding requires purity, reserve and courtesy without improper familiarity or appearance of evil, and honest, righteous dealing in business and daily labor, so that life leaves no just cause for offense and remains a blameless witness.
Meaning and Scriptural Context
The verse commands believers to guard words and actions so that what is good in faith, conduct, profession and life is not spoken of as evil or spoken against, giving no occasion for reproach but remaining pure in thought, word and deed with an uplifting influence that reflects Christ. Conduct or words inconsistent with a holy profession bring that good into disrepute, weaken the confidence of others, harm influence and leave a bad impression, so the course of life must be examined for such effects.
Its reason lies in the teaching that the kingdom of God is not food and drink but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, for which every family should hunger and thirst, and serving Christ in these things makes a person acceptable to God and approved by men. Believers must therefore follow after what makes for peace and what builds up one another, exercising wisdom from God in how to advise and give counsel. What is good must not be brought into disrepute, and those whose influence promotes misleading teaching must not by conduct and teaching discredit the good.
Conduct must agree with the Bible, because those who oppose God's commandments use the mistakes and faults of believers to discredit the truth. The wicked did so in 1843, taking such faults as grounds to speak evil of what is good.
What is good should not be brought into disrepute, and one serving God must live so as to give no cause for a good life and reputation to be criticized. A good name is valuable capital of more worth than gold or silver and must be kept untarnished by refusing improper attention, flattery and petting, rejecting undue familiarity, keeping the moral standard high and maintaining barriers of reserve, with young and married men avoiding even undue familiarity or accepting flattering attention that could damage moral reputation. If people then speak evil or falsely accuse despite no occasion given and blameless conduct, it is because purity and holiness rebuke them, for the same reason Christ was falsely accused when his purity and holiness were a constant rebuke to those who hated them.
Differences over diet should not disturb relations among believers, with each person allowed to follow conscientious convictions and no one forcing others to adopt a personal practice, lest such differences become a barrier to Christian unity. What is good can be spoken of as evil when handled unwisely in promoting health reform, since taking extreme positions and making the subject too prominent can prejudice minds against the denomination, reinforce false impressions, and make people less willing to accept truth. Those discussing unfamiliar subjects should therefore use tact and wisdom and avoid strong statements that people are not ready to receive.
Purity Courtesy and Reserve
What is good in character and religious profession must not be exposed to public reproach by conduct that gives others occasion to speak evil of it, and for young women this requires acting with reserve and modesty. Christians must also avoid any behavior that corrupts or lowers others. Those who profess the religion of Christ must give no cause for their good character to be reproached by keeping a proper place with dignity while still being sociable, kind, and courteous to all. This forbids descending to trifling conversation or unbecoming familiarity with any class, married or single, as illustrated by a young lady not using the supporting arm of a man when walking out for health.
Those who believe and teach the truth must stand on an exalted platform of holiness of heart that never leads to impure actions, abstaining from even the least approach to evil so their good will not be spoken against. For teachers and others in positions of responsibility, including church leaders, this means avoiding improper familiarity between men and women and even the appearance of evil, maintaining purity and self-control and making straight paths so others are not led astray. Examples to be shunned are being much in the company of young or married women, laying the hand on them familiarly, conversing with them in a familiar manner, and inappropriate personal involvement that could damage reputation and bring reproach on what is good. Such conduct shows the pure principles of truth are not inwrought in the soul, that the person is not in Christ and Christ is not abiding in him, and that thorough conversion is needed before labors can be accepted, because truth of heavenly origin never degrades the receiver but sanctifies, refines taste, elevates, ennobles, and brings into close connection with Jesus. Love for others, including those of the opposite sex, must therefore be pure, holy, and free from sentimental behavior, with abstinence from every appearance of evil preserving the weight and credibility of Christian profession.
Public free and easy familiarity and continued unlawful sympathy and love, such as with another man's wife, turns good that had won the respect of old and young into reproach through a course condemned of God. Such want of judgment and weakness becomes a subject of remark, neutralizes efforts to elevate the young, removes wisdom, separates from God, and tarnishes reputation and influence for God's cause. It requires being guarded and sensible instead of sentimental, breaking the snare, putting sin away, and keeping honor untarnished rather than living with reproach upon the name. In labor for the cause a man and a woman must have no special connection in the work and must not unite in labor in any place, abstaining from the very appearance of evil so good work is not evil spoken of by giving occasion for talk. If any encouragement toward such union has been given it must be cut off completely, and if the woman has a work to do she must do it away from him, for such association is not for the good of either. Unguarded indulgence in undue, ensnaring affection must likewise be broken entirely so both persons may be free, because if allowed to go on it will prove a snare that ruins both.
Applied to a married man and another woman, this requires separation and refusal to keep her associated with him, such as by bringing her to America or encouraging her to go to Battle Creek with him, lest her name be ruined by association with him, for the sake of the soul and for Christ's sake. When heads of families live as merely business men without a living connection with God, their lack of a conciliatory spirit and of meekness, kindness, and courtesy causes others to misconstrue their motives and to speak against the good that is really in them, a course offensive in the sight of God and calling for change. Professing Christians cause the good in them to be criticized and spoken against when their conduct lacks kindness and courtesy, even when their sincerity cannot be doubted and their uprightness cannot be questioned. Undoubted sincerity and uprightness do not make up for or atone for lack of kindness and courtesy. The plan of redemption is a plan of mercy to soften whatever is hard and rugged in human nature, so Christians must cultivate Christian courtesy that makes them kind and considerate to all, being sympathetic as well as true and pitiful and courteous as well as upright and honest.
Honest Work and Witness
Business dealings and practical work must be honest and righteous and carefully guarded, so that knowledge and work given by God to be a blessing are not misused in ways that bring reproach upon ministry and upon God's work. Even a worthy aim never justifies questionable methods, and conduct and business affairs must be ordered so as to give no cause for what is good to be spoken of as evil. For one in a physician's position, especially when encouraging testimony has been borne in his favor, this obligation is especially binding to act with Christian courtesy and fairness and consideration in business dealings. Rough treatment of fellow workers misrepresents Christ and leaves a blot that must be removed rather than allowed to discredit good work and standing.
All dealings with the world in business life and religious life, in office labor and business associations, must keep a calm and hallowed peace and leave behind a godly example that gives no just cause for criticism. This requires change of character and conduct, cultivating tender love and kindly affection for all associates, refusing to copy evils that are seen, and jealously guarding the spirit against unsanctified traits. It requires taking time to pray, helping in the church and showing a good example there, and full surrender to God for His blessing and higher work. Only such a life prepares a person to stand with a spotless record and to serve as a living stone in the church rather than a dead, lifeless stone. Those born again as sons and daughters of God and citizens of heaven must live and speak and act on a high and exalted plane. They must refuse conformity to the world's evil practices and refuse to stoop to anything low or cheap or questionable or to be found in suspicious places, so that conduct keeps its saving properties as salt and example remains a blameless witness for Christ that gives no just occasion for reproach and gives power to rebuke sin.
Standing on the high platform of eternal rectitude means having no wrong upon the soul and coming off more than conqueror. It requires having a living Saviour and clinging fast to Him, praying for the Lord to reveal Himself and to maintain a life of work for Him, often dying to self and yielding to no influence but the influence of Jesus Christ. It is privilege and duty to seek a character so consistent that sin finds no place in words or actions, walking wisely at home and before others in a perfect way, with words seasoned with grace and with Christlikeness in words and actions as the sign of walking with God. With the peace of Christ ruling in the heart to strengthen and mellow the disposition, and with uplifting principles of heaven in all associations, only the fragrance of good works and words remains. Disagreements and careless behavior and sharp or suspicious words must be avoided with care, because they damage the good influence of Christian unity and bring reproach upon it.
Every care must be taken to give no offense, so that the truth is not spoken of as evil. Even when refusing to compromise with those who have apostatized, they are to be treated kindly and given no occasion to malign what is good. Yet such care cannot always preserve harmony, because church members may act in ways that are not Christlike. When members persist in unchristian conduct that oppresses others and brings reproach on Christ's cause, keeping them in church fellowship is unfaithful to Christ.
Let not your good be evil spoken of means to guard words and actions so that what is good in faith, conduct and profession is not turned into reproach, examining whether one's course weakens influence and confidence. Its setting is that the kingdom of God is not food and drink but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, and serving Christ in these things makes one acceptable to God and approved by men through pursuing peace and edification. Conduct must agree with the Bible and keep a good name untarnished as capital more valuable than gold or silver, giving no cause for criticism, because opponents of the commandments use believers' mistakes to discredit the truth. Differences over diet and conscientious conviction must not become a barrier to unity, and health reform must not be pressed by extreme positions, tactless discussion or statements people are not ready for, lest the good be prejudiced and evil spoken of. The same guarding requires purity, reserve and courtesy without improper familiarity or appearance of evil, and honest, righteous dealing in business and daily labor, so that life leaves no just cause for offense and remains a blameless witness.
Meaning and Scriptural Context
The verse commands believers to guard words and actions so that what is good in faith, conduct, profession and life is not spoken of as evil or spoken against, giving no occasion for reproach but remaining pure in thought, word and deed with an uplifting influence that reflects Christ. Conduct or words inconsistent with a holy profession bring that good into disrepute, weaken the confidence of others, harm influence and leave a bad impression, so the course of life must be examined for such effects.
Its reason lies in the teaching that the kingdom of God is not food and drink but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, for which every family should hunger and thirst, and serving Christ in these things makes a person acceptable to God and approved by men. Believers must therefore follow after what makes for peace and what builds up one another, exercising wisdom from God in how to advise and give counsel. What is good must not be brought into disrepute, and those whose influence promotes misleading teaching must not by conduct and teaching discredit the good.
Conduct must agree with the Bible, because those who oppose God's commandments use the mistakes and faults of believers to discredit the truth. The wicked did so in 1843, taking such faults as grounds to speak evil of what is good.
What is good should not be brought into disrepute, and one serving God must live so as to give no cause for a good life and reputation to be criticized. A good name is valuable capital of more worth than gold or silver and must be kept untarnished by refusing improper attention, flattery and petting, rejecting undue familiarity, keeping the moral standard high and maintaining barriers of reserve, with young and married men avoiding even undue familiarity or accepting flattering attention that could damage moral reputation. If people then speak evil or falsely accuse despite no occasion given and blameless conduct, it is because purity and holiness rebuke them, for the same reason Christ was falsely accused when his purity and holiness were a constant rebuke to those who hated them.
Differences over diet should not disturb relations among believers, with each person allowed to follow conscientious convictions and no one forcing others to adopt a personal practice, lest such differences become a barrier to Christian unity. What is good can be spoken of as evil when handled unwisely in promoting health reform, since taking extreme positions and making the subject too prominent can prejudice minds against the denomination, reinforce false impressions, and make people less willing to accept truth. Those discussing unfamiliar subjects should therefore use tact and wisdom and avoid strong statements that people are not ready to receive.
Purity Courtesy and Reserve
What is good in character and religious profession must not be exposed to public reproach by conduct that gives others occasion to speak evil of it, and for young women this requires acting with reserve and modesty. Christians must also avoid any behavior that corrupts or lowers others. Those who profess the religion of Christ must give no cause for their good character to be reproached by keeping a proper place with dignity while still being sociable, kind, and courteous to all. This forbids descending to trifling conversation or unbecoming familiarity with any class, married or single, as illustrated by a young lady not using the supporting arm of a man when walking out for health.
Those who believe and teach the truth must stand on an exalted platform of holiness of heart that never leads to impure actions, abstaining from even the least approach to evil so their good will not be spoken against. For teachers and others in positions of responsibility, including church leaders, this means avoiding improper familiarity between men and women and even the appearance of evil, maintaining purity and self-control and making straight paths so others are not led astray. Examples to be shunned are being much in the company of young or married women, laying the hand on them familiarly, conversing with them in a familiar manner, and inappropriate personal involvement that could damage reputation and bring reproach on what is good. Such conduct shows the pure principles of truth are not inwrought in the soul, that the person is not in Christ and Christ is not abiding in him, and that thorough conversion is needed before labors can be accepted, because truth of heavenly origin never degrades the receiver but sanctifies, refines taste, elevates, ennobles, and brings into close connection with Jesus. Love for others, including those of the opposite sex, must therefore be pure, holy, and free from sentimental behavior, with abstinence from every appearance of evil preserving the weight and credibility of Christian profession.
Public free and easy familiarity and continued unlawful sympathy and love, such as with another man's wife, turns good that had won the respect of old and young into reproach through a course condemned of God. Such want of judgment and weakness becomes a subject of remark, neutralizes efforts to elevate the young, removes wisdom, separates from God, and tarnishes reputation and influence for God's cause. It requires being guarded and sensible instead of sentimental, breaking the snare, putting sin away, and keeping honor untarnished rather than living with reproach upon the name. In labor for the cause a man and a woman must have no special connection in the work and must not unite in labor in any place, abstaining from the very appearance of evil so good work is not evil spoken of by giving occasion for talk. If any encouragement toward such union has been given it must be cut off completely, and if the woman has a work to do she must do it away from him, for such association is not for the good of either. Unguarded indulgence in undue, ensnaring affection must likewise be broken entirely so both persons may be free, because if allowed to go on it will prove a snare that ruins both.
Applied to a married man and another woman, this requires separation and refusal to keep her associated with him, such as by bringing her to America or encouraging her to go to Battle Creek with him, lest her name be ruined by association with him, for the sake of the soul and for Christ's sake. When heads of families live as merely business men without a living connection with God, their lack of a conciliatory spirit and of meekness, kindness, and courtesy causes others to misconstrue their motives and to speak against the good that is really in them, a course offensive in the sight of God and calling for change. Professing Christians cause the good in them to be criticized and spoken against when their conduct lacks kindness and courtesy, even when their sincerity cannot be doubted and their uprightness cannot be questioned. Undoubted sincerity and uprightness do not make up for or atone for lack of kindness and courtesy. The plan of redemption is a plan of mercy to soften whatever is hard and rugged in human nature, so Christians must cultivate Christian courtesy that makes them kind and considerate to all, being sympathetic as well as true and pitiful and courteous as well as upright and honest.
Honest Work and Witness
Business dealings and practical work must be honest and righteous and carefully guarded, so that knowledge and work given by God to be a blessing are not misused in ways that bring reproach upon ministry and upon God's work. Even a worthy aim never justifies questionable methods, and conduct and business affairs must be ordered so as to give no cause for what is good to be spoken of as evil. For one in a physician's position, especially when encouraging testimony has been borne in his favor, this obligation is especially binding to act with Christian courtesy and fairness and consideration in business dealings. Rough treatment of fellow workers misrepresents Christ and leaves a blot that must be removed rather than allowed to discredit good work and standing.
All dealings with the world in business life and religious life, in office labor and business associations, must keep a calm and hallowed peace and leave behind a godly example that gives no just cause for criticism. This requires change of character and conduct, cultivating tender love and kindly affection for all associates, refusing to copy evils that are seen, and jealously guarding the spirit against unsanctified traits. It requires taking time to pray, helping in the church and showing a good example there, and full surrender to God for His blessing and higher work. Only such a life prepares a person to stand with a spotless record and to serve as a living stone in the church rather than a dead, lifeless stone. Those born again as sons and daughters of God and citizens of heaven must live and speak and act on a high and exalted plane. They must refuse conformity to the world's evil practices and refuse to stoop to anything low or cheap or questionable or to be found in suspicious places, so that conduct keeps its saving properties as salt and example remains a blameless witness for Christ that gives no just occasion for reproach and gives power to rebuke sin.
Standing on the high platform of eternal rectitude means having no wrong upon the soul and coming off more than conqueror. It requires having a living Saviour and clinging fast to Him, praying for the Lord to reveal Himself and to maintain a life of work for Him, often dying to self and yielding to no influence but the influence of Jesus Christ. It is privilege and duty to seek a character so consistent that sin finds no place in words or actions, walking wisely at home and before others in a perfect way, with words seasoned with grace and with Christlikeness in words and actions as the sign of walking with God. With the peace of Christ ruling in the heart to strengthen and mellow the disposition, and with uplifting principles of heaven in all associations, only the fragrance of good works and words remains. Disagreements and careless behavior and sharp or suspicious words must be avoided with care, because they damage the good influence of Christian unity and bring reproach upon it.
Every care must be taken to give no offense, so that the truth is not spoken of as evil. Even when refusing to compromise with those who have apostatized, they are to be treated kindly and given no occasion to malign what is good. Yet such care cannot always preserve harmony, because church members may act in ways that are not Christlike. When members persist in unchristian conduct that oppresses others and brings reproach on Christ's cause, keeping them in church fellowship is unfaithful to Christ.