The prophet Isaiah reveals the Master Teacher's soul-winning technique when he says, "The Lord hath given me the tongue of the learned, that I should know how to speak a word in season to him that is weary." Although Christ spoke the word in season, He was also able to restrain an' important truth until its hour had come. John records that Jesus said to His disciples, "I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now."
Our consciousness of the importance of giving all men God's last warning message, and again our earnestness in proving true to the trust committed to us as His messengers, causes us to be ever ready to discuss doctrines regarded by others as controversial. It seems far more simple to some to reveal all the facts of truth as soon as they can rather than to listen to the Spirit's voice directing them to withhold until the proper season.
Restraining a truth until the proper time for its presentation is a skill taught best by experience. Before the gospel seed can germinate, there must be a preparation of the soil. Just sowing the seed will not accomplish a rich harvest. True, in spite of failure to prepare the soil, some seed will produce; but whether it is the full harvest God intended may be another question.
I recently had an experience that well illustrates the point under discussion. A series of studies had been arranged in the home of a couple who became interested through some of their friends who had themselves only recently studied the message and accepted it. These new believers usually came to the study, and observed keenly the effects of the truth in the lives of my new readers, who had been using tobacco for years. They would light a cigarette at the very time during the Bible study when I was explaining an important point. This became most annoying to our new Seventh-day Adventists, who now decided—if I would give my consent—to take it upon themselves to ask their friends not to do this, feeling that respect for the Bible should be impressed upon their minds. I restrained their zeal, explaining to them that the hour for this had not yet come, and requesting them to leave the appropriate time to me.
Several studies were given before the right occasion to do this presented itself. That evening, before we arrived at the home where we held our study, my accompanying friends asked me, "What subject will you present tonight?" I replied that I had three subjects in mind, but would need to be guided as to which one I would decide upon.
After a brief introductory prayer that evening, I felt impressed to suggest that in the course of our private daily Bible reading questions are bound to arise, and that our friends might have some in mind which they wished to discuss before we entered into the study of the evening. Up to this time we had given occasion at the close of each study for questions. Although up to this hour our hostess had been rather retiring, she now very spontaneously inquired about an explanation of Mark 7:18-23, for the matter of diet was beginning to trouble her.
After commending her for her interest in the study of the Word, I proceeded to investigate her suggested reference, and first laid down a vital principle for truth teaching—that of studying well the context. As we studied the reference, we discovered in the first verse, and onward, that Jesus was here discussing human tradition in contrast with divine commands. As we continued to read in the chapter, other important principles were clinched, and by the time we read all the verses, the point was obvious. It was a delightful discovery for our new Bible seekers, who now wanted to answer their own question. Their interest was pitched high to proceed on the topic of diet.
Without an awkward break, we, as a study group, now set ourselves to the task of discovering God's original plan for man's diet. Gradually we came down the stream of time to our day, pointing out in a more specific way the modern evils of unclean meats, liquor, tobacco, narcotics, tea, and coffee. With the emphasis on pleasing God rather than following customs and appetite, we climaxed our study with an appeal from 2 Corinthians 6: 17, 18; 7:1; and 1 John 3:3.
Strangely, yet right at this point of the study, Mrs. Blank nervously arose to find the cigar stand, and asked her husband for a cigarette. She then lighted up and puffed away. Our new Seventh-day Adventists looked crestfallen. Their next expression was one of pity when Mr. Blank followed his wife's example a little later.
Without showing surprise about this smoking act, we closed the study with earnest prayer that we today might all be overcorners and be ready when our holy Saviour returns for His waiting children. We earnestly remembered our friends in prayer, that they might receive His Spirit in the struggle to overcome those habits the Word of God had pointed out as harmful to the body and demoralizing to the soul. With just a few pleasant remarks to relieve the tension, we now promptly bade our readers "Good night," and were soon homeward bound.
It would be interesting to relate the discussion with our new Adventist believers after this Bible study. Their disappointment over the smoking episode was great. "How could they smoke at a Bible study, especially when the study was on that problem !" I encouraged them to pray for their friends and also to be patient with them.
The next day I made it a point to visit the couple by myself, and sought another occasion to earnestly appeal to them to continue the struggle for victory over these harmful habits. '1hey meekly promised they would endeavor to do so.
But knowing the deceitfulness of sin and the hold the tobacco habit has on its victims, I knew the battle would be no easy one. Before prayer I told them that only the power of God would be able to free them, and only His grace could supply the desire on their part to persevere. This later proved to be true in their case, for before complete victory came, these people required much prayer and personal work. We sensed anew that the spirit was willing, but the flesh was indeed weak.
The gospel worker who must assist struggling souls to give up yil habits should be able to give real help. This may not always require as much scientific information as common sense. These struggling ones must not be condemned, neither can they be left to themselves to get the victory alone, for only the exceptional case comes through the struggle in that way. Such an experience requires help and understanding.
Calm, thoughtful entreaty is soothing to the overexcited nervous system of the one who is struggling. There should be no spying out to see how matters stand with the one who is trying hard to overcome, and no prying into his private life. There should be a straightforward course of helpful and frequent visitation. These visits must be seasons of earnest prayer in which the reader takes part. Such a course usually brings the desired result and deepens the experience of the overcomer, helping him to meet every future test by getting the victory on his knees.
L. C. K.
