EGW WritingsProverbs 13

Testimony for the Church — No. 10

Dangers of the Young

T10 7.1

I was referred to the many precious promises on record for those who seek their Saviour early. Ecclesiastes 12:1. “Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them.” Proverbs 13 [8]:17. “I love them that love me, and those that seek me early shall find me.” The great Shepherd of Israel is still saying, “Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not; for of such is the kingdom of Heaven.” Teach your children that youth is the best time to seek the Lord. Their young minds are not harassed with care, and the burdens of life are not heavy upon them, and while so free they should devote the best of their strength to God.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 9 (1894)

Lt 21, 1894

9LtMs, Lt 21, 1894, par. 9

O, how can God bear with the misdeeds of those who have had great light and advantages, and yet follow the course of their own choosing, to their eternal harm? Solomon, who had solemnly charged the people at the dedication of the temple, “Let your heart be perfect with the Lord your God” [1 Kings 8:61], chose his own way, and in his own heart separated from God. The mind that was once given to God and inspired of God to write the most precious words of wisdom (the book of Proverbs)—truths which are immortalized—that noble mind, through evil associations and yielding to temptations, became inefficient, weak in moral power, and Solomon dishonored himself, dishonored Israel, and dishonored his God.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 13 (1898)

Ms 40, 1898

13LtMs, Ms 40, 1898, par. 15

Solomon wrote the book of Proverbs, but after a time his wisdom became mingled with chaff. When came the chaff? After a manhood of such glorious promise, a change came in Solomon’s history. He did not continue true to his purity and allegiance to God. He broke through the barriers which God had erected to preserve His people from idolatry. The Lord had singled out Israel as a nation, making them the depositaries of sacred truth, to be given to the world. But Solomon cherished pride of political powers. He encouraged alliances with pagan kingdoms. He procured the silver of Tarshish and the gold of Ophir, but it was at the expense of destroying sacred trusts. Evil communications corrupted good manners. One false movement led to an acquaintance with idolaters. He formed marriage alliances with the daughters of pagan worshipers, and his wives led him away from God. His separation from God through communication with idolaters ruined him.

Education

Chapter 15—Business Principles and Methods

Ed 135.4

“The soul of the sluggard desireth, and hath nothing.” “The drunkard and the glutton shall come to poverty: and drowsiness shall clothe a man with rags.” Proverbs 13:4; 23:21.

Ed 136.2

“He that walketh with wise men shall be wise.” Proverbs 13:20.

Ed 136.7

“Wealth gotten in haste shall be diminished: but he that gathereth by labor shall have increase.” Proverbs 13:11, R.V., margin.

Christ Triumphant

Avoid Contention; Promote Harmony, November 19

CTr 330.1

Only by pride cometh contention: but with the well advised is wisdom. Proverbs 13:10.

The Faith I Live By

The Way of Transgressors, March 9

FLB 74.1

Good understanding giveth favour: but the way of transgressors is hard. Proverbs 13:15.

FLB 74.6

“The way of transgressors is hard,” but wisdom’s “ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace.” Proverbs 13:15; 3:17. Every act of obedience to Christ, every act of self-denial for His sake, every trial well endured, every victory gained over temptation, is a step in the march to the glory of final victory. If we take Christ for our guide, He will lead us safely.37Thoughts from the Mount of Blessing, 139, 140.

Thoughts From the Mount of Blessing

“Strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life.”—Matthew 7:14.

MB 140.1

“The way of transgressors is hard,” but wisdom’s “ways are ways of pleasantness and all her paths are peace.” Proverbs 13:15; 3:17. Every act of obedience to Christ, every act of self-denial for His sake, every trial well endured, every victory gained over temptation, is a step in the march to the glory of final victory. If we take Christ for our guide, He will lead us safely. The veriest sinner need not miss his way. Not one trembling seeker need fail of walking in pure and holy light. Though the path is so narrow, so holy that sin cannot be tolerated therein, yet access has been secured for all, and not one doubting, trembling soul need say, “God cares nought for me.”

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 18 (1903)

Lt 271, 1903

18LtMs, Lt 271, 1903, par. 13

“The way of transgressors is hard.” [Proverbs 13:15.] Then let us turn from our natural and cultivated tendencies to wrong. Let men and women turn to the Lord. Let every one change his unchristlike spirit and words and acts. Let there be no more criticism, no more drawing apart.

To Be Like Jesus

Be Compassionate When Poverty Is Unavoidable, June 23

BLJ 186.1

Poverty and shame will come to him who disdains correction, but he who regards reproof will be honored. Proverbs 13:18, NKJV.

Counsels on Health

Study the Scriptures

CH 416.2

The associations chosen by the workers are determining their destiny for this world and for the next. Some who were once conscientious and faithful have sadly changed; they have disconnected from God, and Satan has allured them to his side. They are now irreligious and irreverent, and they have an influence upon others who are easily molded. Evil associations are deteriorating character; principle is being undermined. “He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed.” Proverbs 13:20.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 8 (1893)

Ms 49, 1893

8LtMs, Ms 49, 1893, par. 24

The only remedy for these is to talk of Jesus and behold Jesus. If they can be led to look at Him and study His character, they will learn to despise everything that is vain and frivolous; for Christ was intensely earnest, full of goodness, mercy, forbearance, patience and unexampled love. By continuing to behold Jesus, they will rise above the littleness of the things that so molded them that they were unlovely and unholy in character. They will feel contempt for themselves. They will say, “I will not sit with vain persons, neither will I go with dissemblers.” [Psalm 26:4.] “He that walketh with wise men shall be wise, but a companion of fools shall be destroyed.” [Proverbs 13:20.]

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 9 (1894)

Lt 17, 1894

9LtMs, Lt 17, 1894, par. 14

Let us individually study what manner of spirit we are of, and be very careful that we do not misrepresent Jesus. God requires that every one who believes in Jesus shall aim at perfection of character. Ample provision has been made, that the fallen sons and daughters of Adam may fulfill the Saviour’s injunction, “Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.” [Matthew 5:48.] The wise man says, “He that walketh with wise men shall be wise.” [Proverbs 13:20.] Be sure that the effort will cost us something; it will require strict watchfulness over ourselves.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 9 (1894)

Lt 70, 1894

9LtMs, Lt 70, 1894, par. 11

You are handling sacred things, and the spirit and word and influence you carry are making impressions upon the minds of others. The atmosphere which surrounds the soul, if it is evil, will be like a spiritual malaria which will be poisonous to those around. But it is profitable for the soul to have an atmosphere that will be as a savor of life unto life to others. When the soul is weighted with the truth which works by love and purifies the soul, a heavenly atmosphere will pervade the soul. “He that walketh with wise men, shall be wise; but a companion of fools shall be destroyed.” [Proverbs 13:20.]

In Heavenly Places

A Network of Virtuous Influences, June 14

HP 172.2

Young people desire companionship, and just in proportion to the strength with which their feelings and affections fasten upon those with whom they associate, will be the power of those friends to be either a blessing or a curse to them. Then let parents beware. Let them guard every influence of association. “He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed” (Proverbs 13:20). The youth will have associates and will feel their influence....

Sons and Daughters of God

Seek the Company of the Wise, June 4

SD 162.1

He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed. Proverbs 13:20.

The Upward Look

When Truth Is an Abiding Principle, January 13

UL 27.5

The spirit and word and influence you carry are making impressions upon the minds of others. The atmosphere which surrounds the soul, if it is evil, will be like a spiritual malaria, which will be poisonous to those around. But it is profitable for the soul to have an atmosphere that will be as a savor of life unto life to others. When the soul is weighted with the truth which works by love and purifies the soul, a heavenly atmosphere will pervade the soul. “He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed” (Proverbs 13:20). Every soul that claims to believe the truth, should manifest uprightness of character, devotion to God, steadfastness of purpose, and represent the character of Christ in a well-ordered life and godly conversation.—Letter 70, January 13, 1894, to “Brethren in Responsible Positions in the Review and Herald Office.”

Living by Principle

The Power of Influence

PH048 9.4

Proverbs 13:20: He that walketh with wise men shall be wise; but a companion of fools shall be destroyed.

Testimony Treasures, vol. 1

Associates Determine Our Destiny

1TT 587.1

The associations chosen by the workers are determining their destiny for this world and the next. Some who were once conscientious and faithful have sadly changed; they have disconnected from God, and Satan has allured them to his side. They are now irreligious and irreverent, and they have an influence upon others who are easily molded. Evil associations are deteriorating character; principle is being undermined. “He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed.” Proverbs 13:20.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 5 (1887-1888)

Lt 26d, 1887

5LtMs, Lt 26d, 1887, par. 43

Young people desire companionship, and just in proportion to the strength with which their feelings and affections fasten upon those with whom they associate will be the power of these friends to be either a blessing or a curse to them. Then let parents beware. Let them guard every influence of association. “He that walketh with wise men shall be wise, but a companion of fools shall be destroyed.” [Proverbs 13:20.] The youth will have associates and will feel their influence. One catches the spirit, breathes in doubt, unbelief, infidelity, by believing the expressions often made in regard to their views and sentiments; and they soon are found repeating the same words.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 5 (1887-1888)

Lt 48, 1887

5LtMs, Lt 48, 1887, par. 13

You know who has said, “He that walketh with wise men shall be wise, but a companion of fools shall be destroyed.” [Proverbs 13:20.] You have had the privilege to associate with those who would help you if you desired their society. You have chosen the company of those who would not elevate you and strengthen your morals or your spiritual interest. All this is because you have not been imbued with the Spirit of Christ. Your destiny is being fixed for two worlds. Let me see young men assert themselves in the school or the workshop or the office, and it needs no prophet’s testimony to predict what they will be, what they will do, when they shall become full-grown men. You have had your choice of associations, but you have not chosen the society of those who would be any help to you.

The Ministry of Healing

Missionary Families

MH 194.5

By instruction in practical lines we can often help the poor most effectively. As a rule, those who have not been trained to work do not have habits of industry, perseverance, economy, and self-denial. They do not know how to manage. Often through lack of carefulness and right judgment there is wasted that which would maintain their families in decency and comfort if it were carefully and economically used. “Much food is in the tillage of the poor: but there is that is destroyed for want of judgment.” Proverbs 13:23.

Manuscript Releases, vol. 9 [Nos. 664-770]

MR No. 758—Reverence on the Sabbath

9MR 321.1

The next thing that was shown me was the great sin of parents neglecting their children. I saw that they would have an awful account to give in _____. They had fostered and cherished the evil tempers of their children until God’s frown was upon them and their children. They have forgotten that which is written in the Holy Word. “He that spareth the rod hateth his son” (Proverbs 13:24), and the children are left to come up instead of being brought up or trained up. The poor little children are thought not to know or understand a correction at eight, nine, or ten months old. They begin to show stubbornness very young, and it is cherished and nourished by their parents until these evil passions grow with their growth, and strengthen with their strength.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 1 (1844 - 1868)

Ms 1, 1854

1LtMs, Ms 1, 1854, par. 10

The next thing shown me was the sins of parents in neglecting their children. I saw they would have an awful account to give. They have fostered and cherished the evil tempers of their children until God’s frown was upon them and their children. They have forgotten that which was written in the Holy Word, “He that spareth the rod hateth his son” [Proverbs 13:24], and the children are left to come up instead of being brought up or trained up. The poor little children are thought not to know or understand the meaning of a correction at the age of eight, nine, or ten months, and they begin to show stubbornness very young, and it is cherished and nourished by its parents till their evil passions grow with their growth and strengthen with their strength.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 1 (1844 - 1868)

Ms 3, 1854

1LtMs, Ms 3, 1854, par. 19

The next thing that was shown me was the great sin of parents neglecting their children. I saw that they would have an awful account to give in Caughdenoy. They had fostered and cherished the evil tempers of their children until God’s frown was upon them and their children. They have forgotten that which is written in the Holy Word. “He that spareth his rod hateth his son” [Proverbs 13:24], and the children are left to come up instead of being brought up or trained up. The poor little children are thought not to know or understand a correction at eight, nine, or ten months old. They begin to show stubbornness very young, and it is cherished and nourished by their parents until these evil passions grow with their growth, and strengthen with their strength.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 14 (1899)

Lt 97, 1899

14LtMs, Lt 97, 1899, par. 1

I am compelled to write to you by this morning’s mail in regard to your son. I think it would be well for you to come to Cooranbong and take him away with you; if not, some one must go to the expense of taking him to Sydney. That the boy is converted is all a mistake. He has not submitted his will to the will of the Lord. He will not be advised or counselled. Perhaps he would be brought to his senses by the rod, which I fear has not been used in his case. The Word of the Lord says, “Chasten thy son while there is hope, and let not thy soul spare for his crying.” “He that spareth his rod hateth his son: but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes.” [Proverbs 19:18; 13:24.]