If I rejoiced at the destruction of him that hated me, or lifted up myself when evil found him.... Let thistles grow instead of wheat, and cockle instead of barley. The words of Job are ended. Job 31:29, 40.
Bitter feelings ... are foreign to the spirit of Christ.—Testimonies for the Church 2:52.
Jesus, when reviled, abused, and insulted, did not retaliate. “Who, when He was reviled, reviled not again.” When the cruelty of man caused Him to suffer painful stripes and wounds, He threatened not; but committed Himself to Him who judgeth righteously....
Is the servant greater than his master? Christ has given us His life as a pattern, and we dishonor Him when we become jealous of every slight, and are ready to resent every injury, supposed or real. It is not an evidence of a noble mind to be prepared to defend self, to preserve our own dignity. We would better suffer wrongfully a hundred times than wound the soul by a spirit of retaliation, or by giving vent to wrath.—Testimonies for the Church 2:426.
No resentment must come into our hearts.... O jealousy and evil surmising, what mischief have ye wrought! how have ye turned friendship and love into bitterness and hatred! We must be less proud, less sensitive, have less self-love, and be dead to self-interest.—Testimonies for the Church 2:566.
“Rejoice not when your enemy falls, never exult when he is overthrown; lest the Eternal see it and in displeasure divert His wrath from him to you.” Proverbs 24:17, 18, Moffatt.
From Radiant Religion - Page 234
Radiant Religion
Thought for the Day
Christ became one flesh with us, in order that we might become one spirit with Him. It is by virtue of this union that we are to come forth from the grave,--not merely as a manifestation of the power of Christ, but because, through faith, His life has become ours. Those who see Christ in His true character, and receive Him into the heart, have everlasting life. It is through the Spirit that Christ dwells in us; and the Spirit of God, received into the heart by faith, is the beginning of the life eternal. Desire of Ages, p. 388