10. What indication of perfection did James point out? James 3:2.
NOTE: ‘When our natural feelings are stirred, and we want to give vent to them, then our faith is tried; then we are to manifest the meekness and gentleness of Christ. Not by one word are we to give expression to the feelings of the natural heart. “If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body” (James 3:2), the whole man. What we want is to be under the control of Jesus. We do not want our own way. I have heard some plead as an excuse for their wrong course, “You know that it is my temperament, it is my disposition, transmitted to me from my parents.” Yes; and they have cultivated it and educated themselves in it and thus excused all their wrongdoing. Instead of yielding to temptation, they should lay hold upon the arm of Infinite Power, saying, “I will come to God just as I am, and plead with Christ to give me the victory. I shall be more than conqueror through Him that loved me.”’ In Heavenly Places, page 270.
11. How did Paul lose control of his tongue when brought to the test? Acts 23:1-5.
NOTE: ‘When a man offends not in word, he has a clean heart, and when the heart is clean, freed from its “murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts,” etc., the man is perfect. All these things exist in the heart before they exist in the outward acts; for the acts are but the outward manifestations of that which already existed within the individual who does them. For, as our Saviour declared, hatred in the heart is murder, and lust in the heart is adultery. It is useless to attempt to control the tongue while the work goes no deeper than the tongue. The stream cannot be cleansed except at its fountain head. The work must be done in the heart; and then out of the abundance of a good heart, the mouth will speak only that which is pure and truthful.’ E. J. Waggoner: Present Truth, October 12, 1893.
‘There is as much connection between the words and the thoughts as there is between the thoughts and the actions. The latter are not always the expression of the former, but they have a power to react upon the soul, and leave the stain of their corruption there. A young man who allows himself to use one vulgar or profane word has not only shown that there is a foul spot upon his mind, but by the utterance of that word he extends that spot and inflames it, till by indulgence, it will pollute and ruin the soul. Be careful of your words as well as your thoughts. If you can control the tongue that no improper words are pronounced by it, you will soon be able, also, to control the mind, and thus save that from corruption. You extinguish the fire by smothering it, or preventing bad thoughts from bursting into language. Never utter a word anywhere which you would be ashamed to speak in the presence of the most refined female, or the most religious man. Try this practice a little while and you will soon have command of yourself.’ James White: Review & Herald, June 16, 1863.