EGW WritingsProverbs 25

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.

Counsels for the Church

Christ’s Methods in Church Discipline

CCh 256.2

“If thy brother shall trespass against thee,” Christ declared, “go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone.” Matthew 18:15. Do not tell others of the wrong. One person is told, then another, and still another; and continually the report grows, and the evil increases, till the whole church is made to suffer. Settle the matter “between thee and him alone.” This is God’s plan. “Go not forth hastily to strive, lest thou know not what to do in the end thereof, when thy neighbor hath put thee to shame. Debate thy cause with thy neighbor himself; and discover not a secret to another.” Proverbs 25:8, 9. Do not suffer sin upon your brother; but do not expose him, and thus increase the difficulty, making the reproof seem like a revenge. Correct him in the way outlined in the Word of God.

Gospel Workers (1915 ed.)

Church Discipline

GW 498.4

“Go not forth hastily to strive, lest thou know not what to do in the end thereof, when thy neighbor hath put thee to shame. Debate thy cause with thy neighbor himself; and discover not a secret to another.” [Proverbs 25:8, 9.] Do not suffer sin upon your brother; but do not expose him, and thus increase the difficulty, making the reproof seem like a revenge. Correct him in the way outlined in the word of God.

Testimonies for the Church, vol. 7

Chapter 52—Church Discipline

7T 260.3

“If thy brother shall trespass against thee,” Christ declared, “go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone.” Matthew 18:15. Do not tell others of the wrong. One person is told, then another, and still another; and continually the report grows, and the evil increases, till the whole church is made to suffer. Settle the matter “between thee and him alone.” This is God’s plan. “Go not forth hastily to strive, lest thou know not what to do in the end thereof, when thy neighbor hath put thee to shame. Debate thy cause with thy neighbor himself; and discover not a secret to another.” Proverbs 25:8, 9. Do not suffer sin upon your brother; but do not expose him, and thus increase the difficulty, making the reproof seem like a revenge. Correct him in the way outlined in the word of God.

Testimony Treasures, vol. 3

Church Discipline

3TT 200.3

“If thy brother shall trespass against thee,” Christ declared, “go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone.” Matthew 18:15. Do not tell others of the wrong. One person is told, then another, and still another; and continually the report grows, and the evil increases, till the whole church is made to suffer. Settle the matter “between thee and him alone.” This is God’s plan. “Go not forth hastily to strife, lest thou know not what to do in the end thereof, when thy neighbor hath put thee to shame. Debate thy cause with thy neighbor himself; and discover not a secret to another.” Proverbs 25:8, 9. Do not suffer sin upon your brother; but do not expose him, and thus increase the difficulty, making the reproof seem like a revenge. Correct him in the way outlined in the word of God.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 17 (1902)

Ms 47, 1902

17LtMs, Ms 47, 1902, par. 22

“Go not forth hastily to strive, lest thou know not what to do in the end thereof, when thy neighbor hath put thee to shame. Debate thy cause with thy neighbor himself; and discover not the secret to another.” [Proverbs 25:8, 9.]

Mind, Character, and Personality, vol. 2

Chapter 85—Counseling

2MCP 772.1

Wise Counseling—Sympathy is good, wisely given, but it must be judiciously imparted, with a knowledge that the subject is deserving sympathy. What shall be said of receiving advice and counsel? Proverbs 25:9-12: “Debate thy cause with thy neighbor himself; and discover not a secret to another: lest he that heareth it put thee to shame A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver. As an earring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold, so is a wise reprover upon an obedient ear.”

Sons and Daughters of God

Not a Favored Few, But Many Friends, June 8

SD 166.2

Sympathy is good, wisely given, but it must be judiciously imparted, with a knowledge that the subject is deserving sympathy. What shall be said of receiving advice and counsel? Proverbs 25:9-12. “Debate thy cause with thy neighbour himself; and discover not a secret to another: lest he that heareth it put thee to shame.... A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver. As an earring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold, so is a wise reprover upon an obedient ear.” When we can associate together to help one another heavenward, when the conversation is upon divine and heavenly things, then it amounts to something to talk; but when the conversation centers upon self and upon earthly and unimportant matters, silence is golden. The obedient ear will receive reproof with humility, patience, and teachableness. Then only do our communications with each other prove beneficial, and fulfil all that God would have them. When both sides of the divine instruction are fulfilled, the wise reprover does his duty, and the obedient ear hears to a purpose and is benefited.17Letter 52, 1893.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 8 (1893)

Lt 52, 1893

8LtMs, Lt 52, 1893, par. 9

This is exactly the picture I present to you, which is true in every respect, that will be seen in many cases where there is less experience and less of divine wisdom. Therefore the positive danger. Sympathy is good, <wisely given,> but it must be judiciously imparted, with a knowledge that the subject is deserving sympathy. What shall be said of receiving advice and counsel? Proverbs 25:9-12. “Debate thy cause with thy neighbor himself; and discover not a secret to another: lest he that heareth it put thee to shame ... A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver. As an earring of gold, and as an ornament of fine gold, so is a wise reprover upon an obedient ear.”

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 11 (1896)

Lt 65, 1896

11LtMs, Lt 65, 1896, par. 8

A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver. “As an earring of gold, an ornament of fine gold, so is a wise reprover upon an obedient ear.” “As the cold of snow in the time of harvest, so is a faithful messenger to them that send him, for he refresheth the soul of his master.” Proverbs 25:10-13.

Christian Education

Chapter 14—The Book of Books

CE 110.2

If the minds of our youth, as well as those of more mature age, were directed aright when associated together, their conversation would be upon exalted themes. When the mind is pure, and the thoughts elevated by the truth of God, the words will be of the same character, “like apples of gold in pictures of silver.” [Proverbs 25:11.] But with the present understanding, with the present practices, with the low standard which even Christians are content to reach, the conversation is cheap and profitless. It is “of the earth, earthy,” and savors not of the truth, or of heaven, and does not come up, even to the standard of the more cultured class of worldlings. When Christ and heaven are the themes of contemplation, the conversation will give evidence of the fact. The speech will be seasoned with grace, and the speaker will show that he has been obtaining an education in the school of the divine Teacher. Says the psalmist, “I have chosen the way of truth: thy judgments have I laid before me.” [Psalm 119:30.] He treasured the word of God. It found an entrance to his understanding, not to be disregarded, but to be practiced in his life.

Counsels to Parents, Teachers, and Students

Into Forbidden Paths

CT 443.1

If the minds of the youth were directed aright, their conversation would be upon exalted themes. When the mind is pure and the thoughts ennobled by the truth of God, the words will be of the same character, “like apples of gold in baskets of silver.” Proverbs 25:11, R.V. But with the present understanding and the present practices, with the low standard that Christians are content to reach, the conversation is cheap and profitless. It is of the earth, earthy, and does not reach even the standard of the more cultured class of worldlings. When Christ and heaven are the theme of contemplation, the conversation will give evidence of the fact. The speech will be seasoned with grace, and the speaker will show that he has been obtaining an education in the school of the divine Teacher.

Gospel Workers (1892/1893 ed.)

Caring for New Converts

GW92 322.4

Preaching is a small part of the work to be done for the salvation of souls. God’s Spirit convicts sinners of the truth, and he places them in the arms of the church. The ministers may do their part, but they can never perform the work that the church should do. God requires his church to nurse those who are young in faith and experience, to go to them, not for the purpose of gossiping with them, but to pray, to speak unto them words that are “like apples of gold in pictures of silver.” [Proverbs 25:11.]

My Life Today

How Pleasant Are Words Fitly Spoken, July 5

ML 190.1

A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver. Proverbs 25:11.

Our Father Cares

How Pleasant Are Words Fitly Spoken, February 15

OFC 57.1

A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver. Proverbs 25:11.

Our High Calling

Words Like Apples of Gold, October 16

OHC 295.1

A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver. Proverbs 25:11.

The Sanctified Life

Substituting Feeling for Reason

SL 10.2

There are those claiming sanctification who make a profession of the truth, like their brethren, and it may be difficult to make a distinction between them; but the difference exists, nevertheless. The testimony of those claiming such an exalted experience will cause the sweet Spirit of Christ to withdraw from a meeting, and will leave a chilling influence upon those present, while if they were truly living without sin, their very presence would bring holy angels into the assembly, and their words would indeed be “like apples of gold in pictures of silver” (Proverbs 25:11).

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 16 (1901)

Lt 21, 1901

16LtMs, Lt 21, 1901, par. 27

The talent of speech is a precious talent. “A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver.” [Proverbs 25:11.] Your passionate words are a dishonor to God, a disgrace to yourself, and a savor of death to those who hear them. Supposing that while you were speaking words like many you have spoken in the past, God should say, Cut him down. What would be your future? You could not find a place in heaven; for were you admitted there, you would create a rebellion if you were not made supreme ruler.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 22 (1907)

Lt 356, 1907

22LtMs, Lt 356, 1907, par. 16

In developing the work of our sanitariums, our schools, or any other branch of the cause of God, the workers need to place their entire dependence upon the wisdom that cometh from above. When God’s Word is carefully studied, and its requirements clearly understood, right principles will be brought into every transaction. “The words of the Lord are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times.” [Psalm 12:6.] There will be no deviating from the truth in word or action. The words spoken will be like “apples of gold in pictures of silver.” [Proverbs 25:11.]

Thoughts From the Mount of Blessing

“Resist not him that is evil: but whosoever smiteth thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.”—Matthew 5:39, R. V.

MB 70.2

These words were but a reiteration of the teaching of the Old Testament. It is true that the rule, “Eye for eye, tooth for tooth” (Leviticus 24:20), was a provision in the laws given through Moses; but it was a civil statute. None were justified in avenging themselves, for they had the words of the Lord: “Say not thou, I will recompense evil.” “Say not, I will do so to him as he hath done to me.” “Rejoice not when thine enemy falleth.” “If he that hateth thee be hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink.” Proverbs 20:22; 24:29, 17; Proverbs 25:21, 22 , R.V., margin.

Education

Chapter 26—Methods of Teaching

Ed 236.6

“He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls.” Proverbs 25:28.

The Voice in Speech and Song

Chapter 28—Discernment in Reproof

VSS 143.4

Hasty, Impatient Speech—In the use of language there is perhaps no error that old and young are more ready to pass over lightly in themselves than hasty, impatient speech. They think it a sufficient excuse to plead, “I was off my guard, and did not really mean what I said.” But God’s Word does not treat it lightly. The Scripture says: “Seest thou a man that is hasty in his words? there is more hope of a fool than of him.” Proverbs 29:20. “He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls.” Proverbs 25:28.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 8 (1893)

Lt 38, 1893

8LtMs, Lt 38, 1893, par. 2

I cannot hold my peace and see Brother Everson connecting himself with you, when I know that the result will be that he will fall into a snare. Listen to the words of Solomon, “Make no friendship with an angry man; and with a furious man thou shalt not go: lest thou learn his ways, and get a snare to thy soul.” [Proverbs 22:24, 25.] When circumstances conspire in a way that displeases you, you manifest a cruel, unjust spirit, and your words fall like desolating hail. You stir up strife. You do not even control your spirit when the wicked are before you. Can the Lord permit such uncontrollable elements to enter the portals of the blest? No! No! “He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down and hath no walls.” “The hoary head is a crown of glory, if it be found in the way of righteousness. He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty: and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city.” [Proverbs 25:28; 16:31, 32.]