"LET THERE BE LIGHT" Ministries
THE FAMILY UNIT, part 4 (final) quotes
1) What is this sacred family circle?
“The home circle should be regarded as a sacred place, a symbol of heaven, a mirror in which to reflect ourselves. Friends and acquaintances we may have, but in the home life they are not to meddle. A strong sense of proprietorship should be felt, giving a sense of ease, restfulness, trust.” The Adventist Home, p 177.
This family circle is like a sacred sphere or bubble surrounding the family unit as a whole. Each member is an integral part of this whole family unit, and part owner of it. As owners, each member has a vital interest in protecting and seeing the family unit prosper and enjoy happiness, contentment and peace. Those who are not part of this family unit are outside this sacred circle, and have no right to know or to interfere and meddle in any of its affairs.
2) How can this sacred circle surrounding each family unit become broken? One or more of its members betraying family secrets to others.
“There is a sacred circle around every family which should be preserved. No other one has any right in that sacred circle. The husband and wife should be all to each other. The wife should have no secrets to keep from her husband and let others know, and the husband should have no secrets to keep from his wife to relate to others. The heart of his wife should be the grave for the faults of the husband, and the heart of the husband the grave for his wife's faults. Never should either party indulge in a joke at the expense of the other's feelings. Never should either the husband or wife in sport or in any other manner complain of each other to others, for frequently indulging in this foolish and what may seem perfectly harmless joking will end in trial with each other and perhaps estrangement. I have been shown that there should be a sacred shield around every family.” The Adventist Home, p 177.
“Oh, how many lives are made bitter by the breaking down of the walls which enclose the privacies of every family and which are calculated to preserve its purity and sanctity! A third person is taken into the confidence of the wife, and her private family matters are laid open before the special friend. This is the device of Satan to estrange the hearts of the husband and wife. Oh, that this would cease! what a world of trouble would be saved! Lock within your own hearts the knowledge of each other's faults. Tell your troubles alone to God. He can give you right counsel and sure consolation, which will be pure, having no bitterness in it.” Testimonies, Volume 2, p 462.
3) All members of the family unit must learn that silence is golden when they are encouraged, tempted or under pressure to talk about one or more of the members of their family to outsiders.
“A talebearer revealeth secrets: but he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth the matter.” Proverbs 11:13.
“Set a watch, O LORD, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips.” Psalms 141:3.
4) What is the greatest destroyer of the peace of the family unit? Selfishness and uncontrolled passion!
“By speaking kindly to their children and praising them when they try to do right, parents may encourage their efforts, make them very happy, and throw around the family circle a charm which will chase away very dark shadow and bring cheerful sunlight in. Mutual kindness and forbearance will make home a Paradise and attract holy angels into the family circle; but they will flee from a house where there are unpleasant words, fretfulness, and strife. Unkindness, complaining, and anger shut Jesus from the dwelling.” The Adventist Home, p 421.
5) What would occur if there were no unpleasant or unkind words; no fretfulness, complaining, anger, or strife among any members of the family unit because self was kept under control?
– There would be no divorce, because it would be the joy of each spouse to make the other happy.
“Drink waters out of thine own cistern, and running waters out of thine own well....Let thy fountain be blessed: and rejoice with the wife [or husband] of thy youth.” Proverbs 5:15, 18.
“And unto the married I command, yet not I, but the Lord, Let not the wife depart from her husband: But and if she depart, let her remain unmarried, or be reconciled to her husband: and let not the husband put away his wife. But to the rest speak I, not the Lord: If any brother hath a wife that believeth not, and she be pleased to dwell with him, let him not put her away. And the woman which hath an husband that believeth not, and if he be pleased to dwell with her, let her not leave him. For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband: else were your children unclean; but now are they holy. But if the unbelieving depart, let him depart. A brother or a sister is not under bondage in such cases: but God hath called us to peace. For what knowest thou, O wife, whether thou shalt save thy husband? or how knowest thou, O man, whether thou shalt save thy wife? But as God hath distributed to every man, as the Lord hath called every one, so let him walk.” 1 Corinthians 7:10-17.
(See also Adventist Home, p 95-96; Manuscript Releases, vol 6, p 315; In Heavenly Places, p 207).
6) -- There would be no adultery, because the body of the husband is the property of the wife, and visa-versa.
“Now concerning the things whereof ye wrote unto me: It is good for a man not to touch a woman. Nevertheless, to avoid fornication, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband. Let the husband render unto the wife due benevolence: and likewise also the wife unto the husband. The wife hath not power of her own body, but the husband: and likewise also the husband hath not power of his own body, but the wife. Defraud ye not one the other, except it be with consent for a time, that ye may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again, that Satan tempt you not for your incontinency.” 1 Corinthians 7:1-5.
(See also Exodus 20:14).
7) -- There would be no generation gaps or barriers due to age differences, because the attitude of “I know better and am wiser than my parents” would not be followed by children when facing important decisions.
“This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men [and women] shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy...without natural affection, ”. 2 Timothy 3:1-3.
“Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety.” Proverbs 11:14.
“A wise son [or daughter] heareth his father's instruction: but a scorner heareth not rebuke.” Proverbs 13:1.
“My son [or daughter], hear the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy mother: For they shall be an ornament of grace unto thy head, and chains [of gold] about thy neck.” Proverbs 1:8-9.
8) -- There would be no drug abuse or suicidal thoughts, because there would be no reason for self-pleasing and thus no need to find an escape from life’s pressures.
“This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men [and women] shall be lovers of their own selves...lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God”. 2 Timothy 3:1-2, 4.
“He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool: but whoso walketh wisely, he shall be delivered.” Proverbs 28:26.
“Trust in the LORD, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed. Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass....Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him...fret not thyself in any wise to do evil.” Psalms 37:3-5, 7-8.
“Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil. It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones.” Proverbs 3:5-8.
“Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. Trust ye in the LORD for ever: for in the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting strength”. Isaiah 26:3-4.
9) -- There would be no crime, because there would be no need to find excitement at the expense of others, or to rob them of their possessions.
“...love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law. For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if [there be] any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.” Romans 13:8-10.
“Ye shall not steal, neither deal falsely, neither lie one to another....but thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself: I am the LORD.” Leviticus 19:11, 18.
10) -- There would be no angry self-centered words spoken, because you would place the other family members first in importance.
“Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good. Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another”. Romans 12:9-10.
“Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.” Philippians 2:3.
“A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger....A wrathful man stirreth up strife: but he that is slow to anger appeaseth strife.” Proverbs 15:1, 8.
“Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying. But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.” Romans 13:13-14.
11) -- There would be no thoughts of evil towards another member brought about by hurt feelings from imaginary slights or attacks, because the 3 headed monster of “Me-Myself-and-I” would be crucified.
“Deceit is in the heart of them that imagine evil”. Proverbs 12:20.
“Thus speaketh the LORD of hosts, saying, Execute true judgment, and show mercy and compassions every man to his brother...and let none of you imagine evil against his brother in your heart.” Zechariah 7:9-10.
“I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.” Galatians 2:20.
12) How is it possible to eliminate all selfish passion from all members of each family and obtain this beautiful example of a loving, happy, peaceful and solid family unit? Only through Christ! That is why the very center of the family unit is to be Christ! And the very center of attraction for every member of the family is to be Christ!
“For to me to live is Christ”. Philippians 1:21.
“But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.” Romans 13:14.
13) One of the quickest ways to obtain these blessings is to start manifesting little acts of kindness and love.
“The manifestation of kindness, tenderness, Christian courtesy, is approved of God. The affection manifested in the home is a manifestation of Christ's love that flows through him from the heart of infinite love to bless the members of the family circle. It is love that will constitute the bliss of the heavenly family. Those who cultivate love in the homelife will form characters after Christ's likeness, and they will be constrained to exert a helpful influence beyond the family circle, in order that they may bless others by kind, thoughtful ministrations, by pleasant words, by Christlike sympathy, by acts of benevolence. They will be quick to discern those who have hungry hearts, and will make a feast for those who are needy and afflicted. Those who have heavenly discernment, who exercise tender regard for every member of the family, will, in doing their whole duty, fit themselves to do a work that will brighten other homes, and will teach others by precept and example what it is that will make home happy.” Review and Herald, October 15, 1895.
Especially is this to be the responsibility of the father to achieve!
“A great responsibility rests upon the husband--house-band--to bind the household together, by the ties of kindness, love, and harmony. In the patriarchal ages, the husband and father was the priest of his own household. And still it is his duty to invoke in their behalf the divine blessing, and to instruct and guide them in the way of life.” Signs of the Times, February 23, 1882.
14) Do you desire this experience to be yours? If so, then start bringing your family into a unit, start governing your family after God’s plan of family government, and start experiencing the atmosphere of heaven now, and God will bless and multiply your efforts because He stands ready and willing to give you the Holy Spirit which will enable and empower you to accomplish mighty things in righteousness!
“The Lord will imbue us with His Holy Spirit. The Lord knows, and the Devil knows, that we cannot resist the temptations of Satan without power from on high. For this reason the evil one seeks to hinder us from laying hold upon Him who is mighty to save. Our Lord made it our duty, as well as our privilege, to connect our weakness, our ignorance, our need, with His strength, His wisdom, His righteousness. He unites His infinite power with the effort of finite beings, that they may be more than victors in the battle with the enemy of their souls.
“Let no one be discouraged, for Jesus lives to make intercession for us. There is a heaven to gain, and a hell to escape, and Christ is interested in our welfare. He will help all those who call upon Him. We must mingle faith with all our prayers. We cannot bring Christ down, but, through faith, we can lift ourselves up into unity and harmony with the perfect standard of righteousness. We have a wily foe to meet and to conquer, but we can do it in the name of the Mighty One” Review and Herald, October 30, 1888.
“...if we (parents) faithfully teach our children God's commandments, bring them into subjection to parental authority, and then by faith and prayer commit them to God, he will work with our efforts; for he has promised it. And when the overflowing scourge shall pass through the land, they with us may be hidden in the secret of the Lord's pavilion.” Counsels for the Church, p 269.
“Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers. And grieve not the Holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamor, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: and be ye kind one to another, tender-hearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you." Ephesians 4:29-32.
"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.” Galatians 5:22-25.
“For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light: (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth).” Ephesians 5:8-9.
“But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth. Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds; And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him...Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.” Colossians 3:8-10, 12-17.
“Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. Charity never faileth”. 1 Corinthians 13:4-8.