When Brother G once takes a position on the wrong side, it is not easy for him to confess that he has erred; but if he can let his wrong course pass out of his mind and pass from the memory of others, and he can make some changes for the better without an open acknowledgment of his wrong, he will do so. But all these errors and unconfessed sins stand registered in heaven and will not be blotted out until he complies with the directions given in the word of God: “Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed.” If Brother G has found another plan besides that given us by our Lord, it is not a safe way and will prove his ruin at last. This other way is ruinous to the church, and ruinous to the prosperity and happiness of his family. He needs to soften his heart and to let tenderness, humility, and love into his soul. He needs to cultivate unselfish qualities. Brother and Sister G, you should cultivate qualities of mind which will make you pure, forgetful of self, and more interested in those with whom you are brought in contact. There is a vein of self-love and care for self which does not increase your happiness, but brings to you grief and sorrow. You have a conflict with yourself in which you alone can act a part. Both of you should control the tongue and keep back many things to which you give utterance. The first evil is in thinking wrong; then come the words which are wrong. But you leave undone the work of cultivating love, deference, and respect for each other. Be kindly considerate of each other’s feelings, and seek to sacredly guard each other’s happiness. You can do this only in the strength and name of Jesus. {4T 241.1}

Når bror G en gang har taget standpunkt på den forkerte side, er det ikke let for ham at indrømme at han har begået fejl. Men hvis han kan få sin forkerte handlemåde ud af tankerne og komme ud af andres hukommelse og gøre nogle forandringer til det bedre, uden at bekende sin fejl åbent, vil han gøre sådan. Men alle disse fejl og ubekendte synder står registreret i himmelen og vil ikke udslettes før han indvilliger i de anvisninger, Guds ord giver: »Bekend derfor jeres synder for hverandre og bed for hverandre, for at I må blive helbredt.« Hvis bror G har fundet en anden plan end den Herren har givet os, er det ikke en sikker vej og vil til sidst vise sig at være hans ruin. Denne anden vej er ruinerende for menigheden og ruinerende for hans families velstand og lykke. Han må blødgøre sit hjerte og lade ømhed, ydmyghed og kærlighed ind i sin sjæl. Han må opelske uselviske kvaliteter. Bror og søster G, I burde opelske egenskaber som gør jer rene, glemmer selvet og mere interesseret i dem I kommer i kontakt med. Der (242) er blodåre af egenkærlighed og egenomsorg som ikke gør jeres lykke større, men bringer jer sorg. I har en kamp med jer selv, som kun I selv kan udkæmpe. I begge bør styre tungen og holde meget af det tilbage I giver udtryk for. Det første onde er at tænke forkert; derefter kommer de forkerte ord. Men I lader kærlighedsvæksten, hensynsfuldhed og respekten for hverandre være ugjort. Vær godt hensynsfulde for hinandens følelser og søg at vogte helligt over hverandres lykke. Dette kan i kun gøre i Jesu navn og styrke.