A Time to Close the Mind

[Daily Devotional]

A Time to Close the Mind 

     Speak not evil one of another, brethren. He that speaketh evil of his
brother, and judgeth his brother, speaketh evil of the law, and judgeth the
law: but if thou judge the law, thou art not a doer of the law, but a judge.
James 4:11.  

     If Satan can employ professed believers to act as accusers of the
brethren, he is greatly pleased, for those who do this are just as truly
serving him as was Judas when he betrayed Christ, although they may be doing
it ignorantly. . . .  

     Floating rumors are frequently the destroyers of unity among brethren.
There are some who watch with open mind and ears to catch flying scandal.
They gather up little incidents which may be trifling in themselves, but
which are repeated and exaggerated until a man is made an offender for a
word. Their motto seems to be, "Report, and we will report it."  

     These talebearers are doing the devil's work with surprising fidelity,
little knowing how offensive their course is to God. If they would spend
half the energy and zeal that is given to this unholy work in examining
their own hearts, they would find so much to do to cleanse their souls from
impurity that they would have no time or disposition to criticize their
brethren, and they would not fall under the power of this temptation.  

     The door of the mind should be closed against, "they say" or "I have
heard." Why should we not, instead of allowing jealousy or evil surmising to
come into our hearts, go to our brethren, and, after frankly but kindly
setting before them the things we have heard detrimental to their character
and influence, pray with and for them? . . .  

     Let us diligently cultivate the pure principles of the gospel of
Christ, the religion, not of self-esteem, but of love, meekness, and
lowliness of heart. Then we shall love our brethren and esteem them better
than ourselves. Our minds will not dwell on the dark side of their
character; we shall not feast on scandal and flying reports. But
"whatsoever things are ...of good report; if there be any virtue, and if
there be any praise," we shall "think on these things" (Phil. 4:8). 

>From That I May Know Him - Page 184