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The Youth’s Instructor

162/477

May 30, 1895

Avoid Trifling Speech

EGW

“I write unto you, young men, because ye have overcome the wicked one.... I have written unto you, young men, because ye are strong, and the word of God abideth in you.” YI May 30, 1895, par. 1

The Lord requires that every human agent shall do his best; and those that do their best will have the greatest personal satisfaction, and will bring the greatest satisfaction to those who have an interest in them. The youth need to realize that they need a deep experience in the things of God. A mere surface work will be of no benefit to them. You need to bring the light of God's word into your heart, that you may search it with a lighted candle. “Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?” YI May 30, 1895, par. 2

When you associate together, you may be a help and a blessing one to another if you surround yourselves with an influence that is divine; but there are those who have grave defects which are gaining a deeper hold upon them, and which, if not overcome, will drive the Spirit of God out of the heart. There is among you too much love of jesting and joking, which is not convenient, and which in no way strengthens the soul or the intellect. Jesting and joking may please a class of cheap minds, but the influence of this kind of conduct is destructive to spirituality. I speak to you as a class and also as individuals: Guard your words. Let sobriety and sound common sense characterize your conversation. Do not trifle with the purity and nobility of your souls by condescending to indulgence in stale jokes, and in cultivating habits of trifling conversation. The requirement of God is explicit on these points, and presents before you the obligation that rests upon you as children of God. The word of God says: “Whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.” Again the injunction is given in still more explicit language: “Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.” YI May 30, 1895, par. 3

Bible religion is not one influence among many others, but its influence is supreme, pervading and controlling every other influence. Bible religion is to exercise control over life and conduct. It is not to be like a dash of color brushed here and there upon the canvas, but its influence is to pervade the whole life, as though the canvas were dipped into the color until every thread of the fabric was dyed a deep, fast, unfading hue. The Lord will give you understanding in all practical Bible truths as you bring them into your life practice. Principles of truth are to be carried out in your practical experience in every-day matters. If you are determined that you will obey every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God, then great and efficient truths will be discovered by you, and you will see that Bible religion has to do with the smaller and larger concerns of life. The broad principles of the word of God are to regulate the character and conduct of every genuine Christian. Let every one inquire seriously: Am I a genuine Christian? Am I bearing the true marks of a Christian? Am I doing my best to perfect a character after the divine model? Am I permitting the grace of God to have a molding influence upon me, and am I becoming more and more perfectly conformed to the image of Jesus Christ? YI May 30, 1895, par. 4

Aim to be faithful students in the school of Christ, learning daily to conform your life to the divine Pattern. Set your faces heavenward, and press toward the mark for the prize of your high calling in Christ Jesus. Run the Christian race with patience, and rise superior to every temptation, however grievous it may be, that shall come to you. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw nigh to God; and if you are desirous of taking the first upward step, you will find his hand stretched out to help you. It remains with you, individually, as to whether you walk in the light of the Sun of righteousness, or in the darkness of error. The truth of God can be a blessing to you only as you permit its influence to purify and refine your soul. YI May 30, 1895, par. 5

As you are associated together in physical and mental training, be careful what habits you form. If you choose, you can make the occasion that brings you together one in which you can do most essential missionary work one for another. Christian example, manifested in spirit, in words, in the faithful discharge of your duty both in physical and mental lines, will have an influence upon those with whom you associate. Individually you may be God's true missionaries, watching for souls as they that must give an account. God has given you reasoning powers, and you are to put to use your capabilities, and consider how you may answer the expectation of Christ in bearing one another's burdens. Let every one exercise the talents intrusted to him by watching unto prayer, and by lifting to the extent of his power. Bear in mind, I beseech you, that it rests with you whether or not you will form characters after the divine similitude. It rests with you whether you will go contrary to God and his truth, and become tempters to those with whom you associate. There is nothing more decidedly antagonistic to the pure truth of God than a polluted heart. Do not expect that the Holy Spirit will force your will. It is the Holy Spirit's office to convict of sin, and to incline the heart toward truth and righteousness. YI May 30, 1895, par. 6

Mrs. E. G. White