Principles for Christian Leaders

God’s business and the right frame of mind

Levity—Levity is not appropriate in meetings where the solemn work and word of God are under consideration. The prayer has been offered that Christ shall preside in the assembly, and impart His wisdom, His grace and righteousness. Is it consistent to take a course that will be grievous to His Spirit and contrary to His work? PCL 195.2

Let us bear in mind that Jesus is in our midst. Then an elevating, controlling influence from the Spirit of God will pervade the assembly. There will be manifested that wisdom which is “from above,” which is “first pure, then peaceable, . . . full of mercy and good fruits,” (James 3:17) which cannot err. In all the plans and decisions there will be that charity that “seeketh not her own”; that is “not easily provoked”; that “thinketh no evil”; that “rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth”; that “beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things” (1 Corinthians 13:5-7).—GW 448 (1915) PCL 195.3

Let them not waste a moment in unimportant conversation; for the Lord’s business should be conducted in a businesslike, perfect way. If some member of a committee is careless and irreverent, let him be reminded that he is in the presence of a Witness by whom all actions are weighed.—7T 256 (1902) PCL 196.1

Combative spirit—The selfish, un-Christlike spirit pervading the publishing house is revealed by a certain kind of loud, boisterous talking and unsanctified zeal in council meetings. Very few are the words that Christ loves to hear. The spirit of those present is not refined and expressive of the Spirit of Christ. Many bold propositions and loud-voiced speeches are made. PCL 196.2

Business is carried forward in a spirit of combativeness. The actions taken by those in positions of responsibility are not inspired of God, but are in accordance with man’s wisdom and will work injury to their fellow men. While they make an effort not to be slothful in business, they forget to be fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; and their souls become more and more dry and sapless, as withered branches of the vine. Religion and business are becoming divorced. Worldly, selfish plans are coming in. Those who should seek to be inspired by God are content to act in accordance with man’s wisdom. PCL 196.3

Many who know not what spirit they are of are ready to reach out their hands to grasp and gather in that which they have not earned. Many are under condemnation because of the grave sin of selfishness which is leavening the institution. One confederates with another. “You stand by me, and I will stand by you,” they say to each other. Thus they lead others into false paths, bringing in the strange fire that God has positively forbidden to be used in His work. With some, serving the Lord has but little place. They think they have no time to pray.—MS 23, 1891 (March 12) PCL 196.4

I have been instructed that committee meetings are not always pleasing to God. Some have come to these meetings with a cold, hard, critical, loveless spirit. Such may do great harm; for with them is the presence of the evil one, that keeps them on the wrong side. Not infrequently their unfeeling attitude toward measures under consideration brings in perplexity, delaying decisions that should be made.—7T 256 (1902) PCL 197.1

Let all understand that there is to be no trifling. Every one should come to these meetings in a consecrated, devotional frame of mind, because important matters are to be considered in relation to the cause of God. PCL 197.2

This work is to be done after His own order, and if men have been elected to the grave responsibility of having a voice, and exerting an influence in the accomplishment of this great work, let their actions in every particular show that they recognize their responsibility and accountability to understand the will of the Lord as far as it is possible.—Letter 41, 1892 (August) PCL 197.3

I am pained to the heart. Blindness in part hath happened unto Israel. Men in high places are to be distrusted and feared, lest they be led astray by the enemy, and lest they shall lead astray other souls. I fear lest they shall seek to hurt and destroy, if possible, those whom they cannot control. Inspiration represents such men as biting and devouring one another. Into their management will be woven partiality, favoritism, hypocrisy, and bribery. Strange fire will be offered to God in the place of the fire of His own kindling. Diligence, integrity, and godliness must be combined in God’s service.—MS 23, 1891 (March 19) PCL 197.4

In our business meetings, it is important that precious time should not be consumed in debating points that are of small consequence. The habit of petty criticism should not be indulged, for it perplexes and confuses minds, and shrouds in mystery the things that are most plain and simple.—GW 447 (1915) PCL 197.5

Can it be that our brethren think that their criticisms are the productions of the Holy Spirit? It will be found that those who are criticized have more to show for their efforts than those who criticize. The names of the humble workers are stamped on the books of heaven with the words, “Well done, good and faithful servant; enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.” But opposite the names of the critics stand the words, “Thou art weighed in the balances and found wanting.”—Letter 109, 1901 (August 6) PCL 198.1

Stubbornness—Human nature is so frail, so ignorant, so liable to misconception, that each one should be careful of the estimate he places upon another. His ways may not be the ways of his fellow man. It is well that all are not alike; that the Lord has placed a variety of gifts in His church. PCL 198.2

Obstinacy is a bad trait of character, and if not overcome, is the means of doing a great deal of harm. He who is obstinate will not yield, whatever sentiments he may entertain. Narrowness of mind is the cause of obstinacy. There are men of intellectual capacity who have allowed obstinacy to develop in their character, and they refuse to believe things that are right, because they themselves did not originate them. PCL 198.3

Obstinacy is a barrier to all improvement. An obstinate man will not be readily convinced of anything which his sight cannot take in. He does not know what it means to walk by faith. He adheres to his own plans and opinions, be they right or wrong, because he has already adopted this line of thought. He may have abundant reason to see that he is wrong; his brethren may raise their voices against his opinions and his methods for making a success of the work, but he cherishes an almost immovable bar against conviction. PCL 198.4

Such a man unless converted to God should not be placed on boards or committees. He is constitutionally unfitted to make important decisions. He is determined not to be convinced. He will not yield to men of experience, and therefore he will be a hindrance, instead of a help. He will suggest sentiments that are unsanctioned by the experience or judgment of men who are fully as intelligent and as wise as he is. He will make assertions as though he had all the aftersight, and will uphold his ideas as all-sufficient. Self has for so long been the ruling element that the unfortunate man considers it a virtue to have, as he thinks, a mind of his own. If his way is not followed, he will raise objections on every occasion, in small matters and in large. He will hold to his words, whether they are true, or entirely false. This practice, often repeated, grows into confirmed habit, and becomes character. . . . PCL 199.1

Obstinacy is the most discouraging feature of a man’s character. By two or three who have made criticism their science, who take a position in opposition to nearly everything, the very best business may be dragged down to a low level. They can paint more seeds of doubt than they would wish to see ripen into harvest. Every idea which they do not present has to them some objectionable features. In the place of seeing the good in the propositions which the Lord impresses others to present, they see the disadvantages, and thus, in a most ingenious, roundabout way the fresh, new idea is made to appear objectionable. PCL 199.2

Upon the improvements or ideas which [do] not originate with them, they heap such a mass of their own suppositions that the board or committee assent, although they cannot understand. They think it is beyond them, wisdom too deep for their comprehension. The objectors present their suppositions in such a light that that which is perfectly right appears distorted. They hold up crooked glasses, through which things right and just looked crooked. PCL 199.3

Often those in a board meeting might have come to a unanimous decision for the right had not men yielded to the temptation which Satan presented to Adam to throw discredit and accusation upon God. This is the way in which many council meetings have been held. Plans good and right have been picked to pieces and distrusted. But this kind of work has had its day. The Lord is not pleased to have this spirit hindering and marring His work. He calls for men who will carry out His will, men who will be controlled by His Holy Spirit.—MS 159, 1898 (December 8) PCL 200.1

Heaven’s record—“In your council-meetings you are forgetting that your words are written in a book and that the results of these words will be seen in the future works they produce. Sooner or later your own propositions will surely react upon yourselves. This I declare to you in the name of the Lord. You know not what manner of spirit you are of. The Lord is present at your council-meetings and witnesses all your transactions. You are either serving Him with pure, unadulterated love, or else you are sinning against Him in everything you do. PCL 200.2

“There is a dead fly in the ointment. Let not those who serve in connection with the sacred work of God forget that He is associated with you in the publishing house, and in the general management of His cause. My brethren, remember that He witnesses all your transactions. Remember that the heavenly universe hears every selfish, avaricious, unjust proposition (and many are now being made). PCL 200.3

“The God of truth observes every act of injustice which you commit by making decisions that have a tendency, in any degree, to cripple the influence of usefulness of one of His human agencies. He will not look with approbation upon the least deviation from righteous principles in plans and methods. He will not sanction the least departure from kindness and unselfishness. He will punish every violation of the laws of truth and righteousness.” PCL 200.4

Doth not God see? I am instructed to tell you that God sees our every act; and He records in His books every departure from heavenly principles. He detects every underhanded confederacy to benefit self under pretense of serving the cause of God. He will blow upon every dollar thus gained and covetously appropriated. It shall not benefit the receiver, for God will blow upon it. PCL 201.1

Every act of fraud and deceit is detected by the Eye that never slumbers or sleeps. Fraudulent, deceptive plans and methods of working, which will exalt self by the selfish appropriation of means, will not be allowed to go unpunished. God will call to an account the men whose disposition it is to depress and to look with indifference upon these who do their work in simplicity and with faithfulness. All these things are written as with a pen of iron and with lead in a rock, there to live.—MS 23, 1891 (March 13) PCL 201.2

There are those who need to learn that the heavenly universe is acquainted with all the works of the children of men. I pray that the Lord God of Israel may impress it upon our responsible men that if they turn from His word to their human ideas and plans, they are without excuse. A spirit has been coming in that God abominates—a spirit of selfishness, self-exaltation, pomposity. It is time that there was a change in the program. He that sitteth in the heavens requires that a different spirit shall control the proceedings of councils and committees. The principles practiced are not only detrimental to all within the sphere of their action, but they will lead to development of character so objectionable that its possessor cannot find a place among the redeemed. In all your assemblies there is present a Watcher who will not long bear with the perversity of men that have had so great light and so great opportunities.—MS 29, 1895 (1895) PCL 201.3