Matthew 18:15-17 clearly says, "Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother.  But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.  And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican."

All too often those around us in the church are tempted to fall into sin. It is the duty of those closest to them to approach them so as to help them see their sinful ways. If we as obedient Christians refuse to do this, the one in sin will feel no sin is committed because the ones they trust to be brethren aren't saying anything.

The reason this happens so often in the church is because Satan knows who to tempt and who is closest to the one he tempts. Just as Satan keeps weak ones around the sinners he knows he can use to help them stay in sin, Christ also places stronger ones nearby as well. But if all of them refuse to do their Ezekiel 3 duty, and instead choose rather to stroke the sinners spiritual ego to make them feel all is well and they don’t have to worry about their sin being a problem at all. A soul is tempted to delve into deeper sin making repentance that much harder to attain.

This has been witnessed as the absolute worse thing that can happen many times in the church of Christ and must be avoided at all costs. It is a cancer that must be cut away quickly. Had those closest to those in sin done their duty back when the sin first reared its ugly head, the sinner may have repented and the soul brought back into the fold without having to stand before the entire church. Better yet, the one that leads them back to Christ is amply blessed in doing so. For it is written in James 5:20, "Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins."

Praise the Lord that some do repent and those helping them are blessed. But sometimes the obedient Christian cannot convince the sinner of their need to repent. Verse 15 in Matthew 18 dictates the best possible way to begin the process that leads them back to Jesus Christ. The obedient Christians does all they can to show in the Word how the sinner is in need or repentance. A back and forth of discussion ensues, and sadly, if the sinner still refuses the counsel of the obedient Christian who does not shirk the duty at hand, then verse 16 comes in to play wherein that obedient Christian seeks out another trusted and obedient Christian to show the sinner their dangerous plight, and more discussion ensures. If the two or more witnesses open the eyes of the sinner as Christ intends, then a soul is saved and blessings abound. But, if in the rare chance the sinner is still refusing to see the truth after much dicussion and Bible study, then the instruction in verse 17 is to be followed. And this is the most difficult process of all in that the sinner often fears the embarrassment of standing before the entire church to answer for their sins.

When it gets to this point, the one in sin has shown that all discussion is useless and so the drastic measure of showing them the entire chruch agrees they are in sin, it is then that no discussion is needed. All discussion has to be done before verse 17 is followed. The sinner stands before the church, and the pastor asks the sinner if they have repented of the actions their entire church family has declared in one accord to be in fact sin. No opportunity is offered for the sinner to speak or "explain" their actions because all this was done beforehand by those that tried their best to help them via intsructions in verses 15 and 16.

Still.. some "sympathizers" may have issues with refusing them to speak, so, let me ask you this. When a sin is revealed before the entire church, and everyone in attendance has voted that it is indeed sin, when the person refuses to declare "yes they have repented" when asked, what do you think the sinner would have said had they had the chance to speak before the church family? They will most assuredly seek to vindicate their sinful ways which will then endanger the spiritual lives of the babes in Christ.

This is why most churches today refuse to do Matthew 18 in the first place. Most churches are filled with weak Christians who fear confrontation or the possibility of losing a friend and so Satan will tempt them to ignore sin in their brethren so as to keep the peace. The shocking and sad reality here is, the main reason some seek to vindicate their sin or even believe they are sinless is because those closest to them refused to do as Ezekiel chapter three says is their duty.

• Ezekiel 3:20-21, "Again, When a righteous man doth turn from his righteousness, and commit iniquity, and I lay a stumblingblock before him, he shall die: because thou hast not given him warning, he shall die in his sin, and his righteousness which he hath done shall not be remembered; but his blood will I require at thine hand. Nevertheless if thou warn the righteous man, that the righteous sin not, and he doth not sin, he shall surely live, because he is warned; also thou hast delivered thy soul."

The reason it says the one warning the sinner "hast delivered thy soul" is because the Lord will test each and every one of us in this manner. We are all watched by God and the angel with the inkorn by his side who records whether or not we were obedient to the Lord's requirement regarding someone close to us in sin.

If it comes to verse 17 wherein the sins of the sinner must be declared before all, that too is a difficult task. But this task is a must because Jesus Himself spoke it and we must obey. All efforts performed by the obedient Christians that performed the tasks outlined in verses 15 and 16 to help the soul see their danger were ignored by the one in sin. Therefore it is now necessary to declare the sins openly because it would be impossible to do as Jesus commands in Matthew 18 without telling the sinner where their sin is. After all, did not Jesus do that with the Pharisees in Matthew 23? Read that chapter and you will see it starts off in verse one saying, "Then spake Jesus to the multitude, and to his disciples," In other words, Jesus let everyone standing in attendance hear each and every sin those Pharisees did that day. And He listed quite a few. So, how does this apply to Matthew 18:15-17?

First we go to the sinner one on one to tell them of their plight. (verse 15) If they refuse to hear us, we are to bring two or three witnesses to make them aware that others see their sin to be in fact sinful. (verse 16) This is not to be done before the entire church. Still, does Jesus show He used this method? After all, we just saw He used the method outlined in verse 17 by how He exposed the Pharisees in Matthew 23. Where do we see verses 15 and 16 illustrated by Jesus in the Word?

• John 8:6-8, "This they said, tempting him, that they might have to accuse him. But Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground, as though he heard them not.  So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.  And again he stooped down, and wrote on the ground."

What many are unaware of is that when Jesus stooped down to write in the sand He actually listed the sins of everyone present that day who were holding stones ready to toss. He did not name names, but he did list their sins and He did in fact keep it all private. This means the instruction as Christ gave us in Matthew 18:15,16 is when the sins are written in the sand. With the exception of the Pharisees, those standing by were 'privately' convicted of their sin and dropped those stones and walked away. Therefore we too must privately approach the brother or sister in sin first. Sadly, in today's world, most Christians are weak people and they never do tell them about their sins. They fear hurting their feelings or losing a friend and that is why Satan makes sure those sinners steer clear of people that have no "guile" who tell it like it is because he knows they will alert the sinner of his or her plight immediately.

As we saw earlier, it says in Ezekiel 3:20 that "When a righteous man doth turn from his righteousness, and commit iniquity, and I lay a stumblingblock before him, he shall die: because thou hast not given him warning, he shall die in his sin, and his righteousness which he hath done shall not be remembered; but his blood will I require at thine hand."

There is no way on God’s green earth that an obedient Christian will shirk his or her duty to warn people of their sin when it is made known to them because they take their calling very serious and they don't want their blood on their hands. Matthew 18:15 and 16 is to be done first and that is why Jesus wrote those sins in the sand that day 'privately' without mentioning any one’s name.

But as is obvious with the Pharisees in Matthew 23, the sins Jesus showed them in John chapter 8 when He wrote in the sand did not convict them at all. Therefore, when the people ignore the gentle approach as per Matthew 18:15,16, then as Jesus also illustrated when He outed the Pharisees as hypocrites by listing their many sins before everyone, we too must declare to all in the church that the one in sin has refused all attempts to repent of the sin privately. So, Matthew 18:17 is then followed to the letter. Once the truth is drawn in the sand and they ignore it, drastic measures are most assuredly required. Still.. NONE OF THIS would have happened if those closest Christians to the sinner would have done their duty in the first place.

There are some very bold Christians in the church, and Satan knows it. So he keeps the sinful members away from the bold and obedient Christians because Satan knows very well how the obedient ones among us will step up and tell it like it is. This is why when it gets close to the Matthew 18:17 jurisprudence, those in sin refuse to speak to the pastor or other bold Christians in the church because Satan fears if they do so they will be convicted and repent of their sins. He can't have that and so those in sin will avoid the pastor and the bold Christians at every turn.

As Jesus said about Nathaniel 2000 years ago, the bold ones in this church have no guile in their mouths. They will say it like it is when the time is right to say it. So Satan sends the sinful people to befriend the weaker Christains in the church so that when their sin gets way out of hand, those that are too weak to do their Ezekiel 3, will naturally fail and a sinner is lost. Worse yet, those that should have stepped up to help that sinner now have their blood on their hands and Satan has a just won another soul into his camp if they too refuse to repent. He gets two souls with one sin.

When the sinner is not properly approached and the sin becomes so embraced and vindicated and open to all church members, these weak Christians that should have helped the sinner now choose to back off knowing their lack of duty has caused the uproar. Sadly, and this happens more often than most realize, some of these weak Christians may even go so far as to do all they can to guild the lilly to make it appear to the pastor or other bold Christians that their friend is not really that bad. They will defend them and even lash out at the obedient Christians stepping up to do the job they refused to do all along. That’s why in some churches, only the bold and obedient get stuck playing the part of the heavy each time the need arises. It's all because the weak ones dump their duties on them.

Sadly, those that do this are in for a major spanking from on high. No getting around that now. Our Lord is not to be mocked. This weakened and worldly approach to their very own brethren is not what the remnant of her seed is prophesied to be known for. The Gideon band is hated because we WILL speak the truth no matter how many feathers are ruffled.

Truth is, those of us that are bold know a blessing will be ours for doing so. Not only does Ezekiel declare "thou hast delivered thy soul" and James 5:20 says our obedient actions "shall hide a multitude of sins" we also know as 1Peter 2:20 says, “For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God.”

If it makes our Father smile, then all can rest assured that those bold enough to be obedient will be those that will do exactly as He has written we shall do in His Word.

• Proverbs 27:5-6, "Open rebuke is better than secret love. Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful."
• Proverbs 27:17, "Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend."
• Ephesians 5:11, "And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them."

Spirit of Prophecy says:

• Christ’s Methods in Church Discipline (Matthew 18:15-17 step by step)
• Church’s Duty to Those Who Refuse Its Counsel (Leading the repentant back into the fold)
• Sympathizers
• The Heathen and Publican
• Sharp Rebuke is needed at times
• Necessary Disipline
• Some are too fearful to rebuke sinners
• ...more to come

Christ’s Methods in Church Discipline

In dealing with erring church members, God's people are carefully to follow the instruction given by the Saviour in the eighteenth chapter of Matthew. {CCh 255.6}

Human beings are Christ's property, purchased by Him at an infinite price, bound to Him by the love that He and His Father have manifested for them. How careful, then, we should be in our dealing with one another! Men have no right to surmise evil in regard to their fellow men. Church members have no right to follow their own impulses and inclinations in dealing with fellow members who have erred. They should not even express their prejudices regarding the erring, for thus they place in other minds the leaven of evil. Reports unfavorable to a brother or sister in the church are communicated from one to another of the church members. Mistakes are made and injustice is done because of an unwillingness on the part of someone to follow the directions given by the Lord Jesus. {CCh 256.1}

"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. {CCh 256.2}

Do not suffer resentment to ripen into malice. Do not allow the wound to fester and break out in poisoned words, which taint the minds of those who hear. Do not allow bitter thoughts to continue to fill your mind and his. Go to your brother, and in humility and sincerity talk with him about the matter. {CCh 256.3}

Whatever the character of the offense, this does not change the plan that God has made for the settlement of misunderstandings and personal injuries. Speaking alone and in the spirit of Christ to the one who is in fault will often remove the difficulty. Go to the erring one, with a heart filled with Christ's love and sympathy, and seek to adjust the matter. Reason with him calmly and quietly. Let no angry words escape your lips. Speak in a way that will appeal to his better judgment. Remember the words: "He which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins." James 5:20. {CCh 256.4}

Take to your brother the remedy that will cure the disease of disaffection. Do your part to help him. For the sake of the peace and unity of the church, feel it a privilege as well as a duty to do this. If he will hear you, you have gained him as a friend. {CCh 256.5}

All heaven is interested in the interview between the one who has been injured and the one who is in error. As the erring one accepts the reproof offered in the love of Christ, and acknowledges his wrong, asking forgiveness from God and from his brother, the sunshine of heaven fills his heart. The controversy is ended; friendship and confidence are restored. The oil of love removes the soreness caused by the wrong. The Spirit of God binds heart to heart, and there is music in heaven over the union brought about. {CCh 256.6}

As those thus united in Christian fellowship offer prayer to God and pledge themselves to deal justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with God, great blessing comes to them. If they have wronged others they continue the work of repentance, confession, and restitution, fully set to do good to one another. This is the fulfilling of the law of Christ. {CCh 257.1}

"But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established." Matthew 18:16. Take with you those who are spiritually minded, and talk with the one in error in regard to the wrong. He may yield to the united appeals of his brethren. As he sees their agreement in the matter, his mind may be enlightened. {CCh 257.2}

"And if he shall neglect to hear them," what then shall be done? Shall a few persons in a board meeting take upon themselves the responsibility of disfellowshiping the erring one? "If he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church." Verse 17. Let the church take action in regard to its members. {CCh 257.3}

"But if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican." Verse 17. If he will not heed the voice of the church, if he refuses all the efforts made to reclaim him, upon the church rests the responsibility of separating him from fellowship. His name should then be stricken from the books. 463 {CCh 257.4}

Church’s Duty to Those Who Refuse Its Counsel

No church officer should advise, no committee should recommend, nor should any church vote, that the name of a wrongdoer shall be removed from the church books, until the instruction given by Christ has been faithfully followed. When this instruction has been followed, the church has cleared herself before God. The evil must then be made to appear as it is, and must be removed, that it may not become more and more widespread. The health and purity of the church must be preserved, that she may stand before God unsullied, clad in the robes of Christ's righteousness. {CCh 257.5}

If the erring one repents and submits to Christ's discipline, he is to be given another trial. And even if he does not repent, even if he stands outside the church, God's servants still have a work to do for him. They are to seek earnestly to win him to repentance. And, however aggravated may have been his offense, if he yields to the striving of the Holy Spirit and, by confessing and forsaking his sin, gives evidence of repentance, he is to be forgiven and welcomed to the fold again. His brethren are to encourage him in the right way, treating him as they would wish to be treated were they in his place, considering themselves lest they also be tempted. {CCh 257.6}

"Verily I say unto you," Christ continued, "whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven." Verse 18. {CCh 258.1}

This statement holds its force in all ages. On the church has been conferred the power to act in Christ's stead. It is God's instrumentality for the preservation of order and discipline among His people. To it the Lord has delegated the power to settle all questions respecting its prosperity, purity, and order. Upon it rests the responsibility of excluding from its fellowship those who are unworthy, who by their un-Christlike conduct would bring dishonor on the truth. Whatever the church does that is in accordance with the directions given in God's word will be ratified in heaven. {CCh 258.2}

Matters of grave import come up for settlement by the church. God's ministers, ordained by Him as guides of His people, after doing their part are to submit the whole matter to the church, that there may be unity in the decision made. {CCh 258.3}

The Lord desires His followers to exercise great care in dealing with one another. They are to lift up, to restore, to heal. But there is to be in the church no neglect of proper discipline. The members are to regard themselves as pupils in a school, learning how to form characters worthy of their high calling. In the church here below, God's children are to be prepared for the great reunion in the church above. Those who here live in harmony with Christ may look forward to an endless life in the family of the redeemed. 464 {CCh 258.4}  

Sympathisers

Who are standing in the counsel of God at this time? Is it those who virtually excuse wrongs among the professed people of God, and murmur in their hearts, if not openly, against those who would reprove sin? Is it those who take their stand against them, and sympathize with those who commit wrong? No, indeed! These, unless they repent, and leave the work of Satan in oppressing those who have the burden of the work, and holding up the hands of sinners in Zion, will never receive the mark of God's sealing approval. They will fall in the general destruction of all the wicked, represented by the five men bearing slaughter weapons. Mark this point with care: Those who receive the pure mark of truth, wrought in them by the power of the Holy Ghost, represented by a mark by the man in linen, are those "that sigh and cry for all the abominations that are done" in the church. Their love for purity and the honor and glory of God is such, and they have so clear a view of the exceeding sinfulness of sin, that they are represented as being in an agony, even sighing and crying. Read Ezekiel, chapter nine."  {RH, September 23, 1873 par. 5}  

"Satan, who was once an honored angel in heaven, had been ambitious for the more exalted honors which God had bestowed upon His Son. He became envious of Christ, and represented to the angels, who honored him as covering cherub, that he had not the honor conferred upon him which his position demanded. He asserted that he should be exalted equal in honor with Christ. Satan obtained sympathizers. Angels in heaven joined him in his rebellion, and fell with their leader from their high and holy estate, and were therefore expelled from heaven with him." {Confrontation pg.9 par.2}

"There are ever to be found those who will sympathize with those who are wrong. Satan had sympathizers in heaven, and took large numbers of the angels with him. God and Christ and heavenly angels were on one side, and Satan on the other. Notwithstanding the infinite power and majesty of God and Christ, angels became disaffected. The insinuations of Satan took effect, and they really came to believe that the Father and the Son were their enemies, and that Satan was their benefactor. Satan has the same power and the same control over minds now, only it has increased a hundred-fold by exercise and experience. Men and women today are deceived, blinded by his insinuations and devices, and know it not. By giving place to doubts and unbelief in regard to the work of God, and by cherishing feelings of distrust and cruel jealousies, they are preparing themselves for complete deception. They rise up with bitter feelings against the ones who dare to speak of their errors and reprove their sins."— Vol. 3, p. 327. {GW92 86.1}

Testimony of Sister White and the demon of sympathy

In a vision given me at Saratoga Springs I was shown a company in Vermont with a woman among them who was a deceiver, and the church must be enlightened as to her character lest poisonous error should become deeply rooted among them. I had not seen the brethren in that part of the State with my natural eyes. We visited them, and as we entered Brother B.'s dwelling a woman came forward to receive me whom I thought to be Sister B.'s mother. I was about to salute her when the light fell upon her face and lo! it was Mrs. C., the woman I had seen in vision. I dropped her hand instantly and drew back. She noticed this and remarked upon it afterwards. The church in Vergennes and vicinity collected together for meeting. There was confusion of sentiment among them. Brother E. E. held the age to come and some were in favor of S. Allen, a notable fanatic, who held views of a dangerous character which if carried out would lead to spiritual union and breaking up of families. I delivered the message in the Sabbath meeting which the Lord had given me. Sunday noon Mrs. C. was talking quite eloquently in regard to backbiting. She was very severe, for she had heard that speeches had been made against her fanatical proceedings. Just then Sister B. entered saying, ‘Will you please walk out to dinner?’ Mrs. C. instantly replied, saying, ‘This kind goeth not out save by fasting and prayer. I do not wish any dinner.’ In a moment my husband was upon his feet. The power of God was upon him, and the color had left his face. Said he, ‘I hope it will go out! In the name of the Lord, I hope it will go out!’ and said he to Mrs. C., ‘That evil spirit is in you, and I hope it will go out! I rebuke it in the name of the Lord!’ She seemed to be struck dumb. Her glib, smart tongue was stilled for once.
“But she had sympathizers. This is generally the case. It commenced with the fall of Satan in heaven, and angels who sympathized with him fell also. Those who are wrong and co-workers with Satan will ever find those who will sympathize with them when they are reproved. These sympathizers have great fear that the feelings of those who receive just reproof will be hurt. Brother and Sister B. sympathized with this deceitful woman. They thought her to be about right. But we did not feel discouraged. The Lord had taken this matter in his own hands, and would deliver his church who had been burdened and oppressed. {Life Sketches of James White and Ellen G. White 1880 page.286 par.1}

The Heathen and Publican

“An inconsistent, unprincipled life in a physician should be looked upon as a matter of grave importance, and he should be dealt with as Christ directed His church to deal with offenders. If an offender will not listen to admonition, and will not change his course of action, he should be separated from the fellowship of the church. Those who take the part of the evil doer and sympathize with him, and give him patronage, place themselves in position where they are an offense to God.”  {1MR 209.3} 

“There are those members who are busybodies, speaking evil, sowing the seeds of doubt and infidelity, who pay no heed to the light God has given them in His Word. If we have but one church member who by his spirit, words, and influence seeks to counterwork the influence of the minister of Christ, labor with that one faithfully; and if after taking the steps required by Christ, he will not hear, will not change his course of action, then separate him from the church, and let him know the reason why the church cannot hold him in her fellowship. And if there are those who sympathize with him, who will not discern the right from the wrong, who, after patient instruction has been given them, choose to keep on the wrong side, let them also be suspended. God's name must not be dishonored by murmurers, faultfinders, and those who are continually sowing seeds of disaffection.”  {15MR 163.3} 

Some Are Not to Be Retained.—“The names of those who sin and refuse to repent should not be retained on the church books, lest the saints be held accountable for their evil deeds. Those who pursue a course of transgression should be visited and labored with, and if they then refuse to repent, they should be separated from church fellowship, in accordance with the rules laid down in the Word of God. . . .”  {5BC 1096.5} 

Sharp rebuke is needed at times

“If there are wrongs in the church, they should receive immediate attention. Some may have to be sharply rebuked. This is not doing the erring one any wrong. The faithful physician of the soul cuts deep, that no pestilent matter may be left to burst forth again. After the reproof has been given, then comes repentance and confession, and God will freely pardon and heal. He always pardons when confession is made.” --Review and Herald, Dec. 11, 1900.  {Ev 370.2}

Read all of Matthew 23

“Let none speak lightly of the duty of the church to administer censure and rebuke; neither let them criticize the action of the church when this painful task becomes necessary. Christ has given plain instruction regarding the duty of the church toward those who, while professing to be loyal members, are bringing dishonor to the cause of God by their course of action. ‘Every plant, which my Heavenly Father hath not planted,’ he says, ‘shall be rooted up.’ ‘God has commanded that those who prove themselves unworthy of church-fellowship shall be separated from his body. Those who speak against the exercise of this authority, speak against the authority of Christ.’”  {RH, March 19, 1908 par. 15} 

God will not acknowledge as His shepherds those who speak smooth things.--In this fearful time, just before Christ is to come the second time, God's faithful preachers will have to bear a still more pointed testimony than was borne by John the Baptist. A responsible, important work is before them; and those who speak smooth things, God will not acknowledge as His shepherds. A fearful woe is upon them.--1T 321.

Necessary Disipline

There will ever be a spirit to rise up against reproof.--There will ever be a spirit to rise up against the reproof of sins and wrongs. But the voice of reproof should not be hushed because of this. Those whom God has set apart as ministers of righteousness have solemn responsibilities laid upon them to reprove the sins of the people. Paul commanded Titus, "These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee." There are ever those who will despise the one who dares to reprove sin. But when required, reproof must be given. Paul directs Titus to rebuke a certain class sharply, that they may be sound in the faith. And how shall the reproof be given? Let the apostle answer: "With all long-suffering and doctrine." The one at fault must be shown that his course is not in harmony with the Word of God. But never should the wrongs of God's people be passed by indifferently. Those who faithfully discharge their unpleasant duties under a sense of their accountability to God, will receive his blessing.--ST Sept. 16, 1880.

Character deficiencies of members should burden pastors.--Here we have presented before us the work of him who shall open the Scriptures to others. It is a most solemn work, and all who engage in it should be men of prayer. It is not enough for the minister to stand up in the desk and give an exposition of the Scriptures. His work has but just begun. There is pastoral work to do, and this means to reprove and exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine; that is, he should present the Word of God, to show wherein there is a deficiency. If there is anything in the character of the professed followers of Christ, the burden should certainly be felt by the minister, and not that he should lord it over God's heritage. To deal with human minds is the nicest job that was ever committed to mortal man.--1SAT 61.

God will not acknowledge as His shepherds those who speak smooth things.--In this fearful time, just before Christ is to come the second time, God's faithful preachers will have to bear a still more pointed testimony than was borne by John the Baptist. A responsible, important work is before them; and those who speak smooth things, God will not acknowledge as His shepherds. A fearful woe is upon them.--1T 321.

Church discipline is a disagreeable but necessary part of ministry.--Paul charged Timothy to "preach the Word," but there was yet another part to be done,--"to reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long-suffering and doctrine." This work cannot be neglected with safety. Ministers must be instant in season and out of season, watching for souls as they that must give an account. They must exercise great carefulness. Watch in all things, watch for the devices of Satan, lest you be beguiled from doing the disagreeable part of the work. Difficulties must not intimidate or discourage you. Having well-balanced minds and established characters, meet the difficulties, and in overcoming them gain a rich experience.--RH Sept. 28, 1897.

Although not congenial to the minister's natural inclinations, warnings are to be given, sins rebuked, and wrongs corrected.--He will have many straight and plain words to address to those who need them; for when God commissions men to do His work, He lays upon them the burden of watching for souls as they that must give an account. When needed warnings are to be given, sins are to be rebuked, errors and wrongs are to be corrected, not only in the pulpit but personal labor. This is divine work, and although it is not congenial to the natural inclinations, the minister must proclaim the straight truth which will make the ears of them that hear tingle; for they must lay before those who are lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God, the dangers and perils that are around them, and the doom that awaits the impenitent. Because this message is not agreeable to their inclination, or welcome to those who must be warned, they are solemnly charged to be faithful in its declaration. --RH Sept. 6, 1892.

Ministers do great harm by allowing their forbearance toward the erring to degenerate into toleration of their sins.--Ministers of the gospel sometimes do great harm by allowing their forbearance toward the erring to degenerate into toleration of sins and even participation in them. Thus they are led to excuse and palliate that which God condemns; and after a time they become so blinded as to commend the very ones whom God commands them to reprove. The only safe-guard against these dangers is to add to patience godliness,--to reverence God, His character and His law, and to keep His fear ever before the mind. By communion with God, through prayer and the reading of His Word, we should cultivate such a sense of the holiness of His character that we shall regard sin as He regards it.--AA 504.

Some are too fearful to rebuke sinners

Too many ministers leave plain dealing to be done by other ministers.--Too many ministers neglect to deal faithfully with those with whom they come in contact. They leave plain dealing to be done by other ministers: for they do not want to run the risk of losing the friendship of those for whom they labor. If ministers would deal at the right time with those who err, they would prevent an accumulation of wrong, and save souls from death. If the work of reproving is neglected by one minister, and taken up by another, those who are reproved, receive the impression that the minister who did not point out their errors was a good minister. But this is not the case; he was merely a preacher, not a worker together with God for the suppression of sin. In the meekness of Jesus, you should do the work which will gave full proof of your ministry. You should show a heartfelt sorrow for sin, but manifest no unholy passion in reproving the error. All your efforts must be made with long-suffering and doctrine; and if you see but meager results of your work, do not be discouraged. This experience will call for the manifestation of long-suffering and patience. Keep working, be discreet, be discerning, understand when to speak and when to keep silence.--RH Sept. 28, 1897.