Counsels for the Church - Ellen G. White

own salvation. If I co-operate with Him who desires to save my soul, I must
watch myself diligently. I must cut away every evil from my life. I must
become a new creature in Christ. I must overcome every fault. Then, instead
of weakening those who are striving against evil, I can strengthen them by
encouraging words."
The Envious Man Sees No Good in Others
We are not to allow our perplexities and disappointments to eat into our
souls and make us fretful and impatient. Let there be no strife, no evil
thinking or evil-speaking, lest we offend God. My brother, if you open your
heart to envy and evil surmising, the Holy Spirit cannot abide with you. Seek
for the fullness that is in Christ. Labor in His lines. Let every thought and
word and deed reveal Him. You need a daily baptism of the love that in the
days of the apostles made them all of one accord. This love will bring health
to body, mind, and soul. Surround your soul with an atmosphere that will
strengthen spiritual life. Cultivate faith, hope, courage, and love. Let the
peace of God rule in your heart.
Envy is not merely a perverseness of temper, but a distemper, which
disorders all the faculties. It began with Satan. He desired to be first in
heaven, and because he could not have all the power and glory he sought, he
rebelled against the government of God. He envied our first parents and
tempted them to sin and thus ruined them and all the human race.
The envious man shuts his eyes to the good qualities and noble deeds of
others. He is always ready to disparage and misrepresent that which is
excellent. Men often confess and forsake other faults, but there is little to be
hoped for from the envious man. Since to envy a person is to admit that he is
a superior, pride will not permit any concession. If an attempt be made to
convince the envious person of his sin, he becomes even more bitter against
the object of his passion, and too often he remains incurable.
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