The Spirit of Courtesy

Let’s be gentle under provocation. E.G. White counsels: “We should not allow our feelings to be easily wounded. We are to live, not to guard our feelings or our reputation, but to save souls. … If impatient words are spoken to you, never reply in the same spirit. Remember that ‘a soft answer turneth away wrath.’ Proverbs 15:1. And there is wonderful power in silence. … Under a storm of stinging, faultfinding words, keep the mind stayed upon the word of God. If you are ill-treated or wrongfully accused, instead of returning an angry answer, repeat to yourself the precious promises: ‘Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.’ Romans 12:21. ‘Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in Him; and He shall bring it to pass. And He shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy judgment as the noonday.’ Psalm 37:5, 6. [Also quoted Luke 12:2; Psalm 66:12]…. Christianity will make a man a gentleman. Christ was courteous, even to His persecutors; and His true followers will manifest the same spirit” (Ministry of Healing, pp. 485-489). May the Lord help us, this day, to season our words with Christian grace.—Samuel Koranteng-Pipim