The Importance of a Right Spirit

William Branham stated that he would rather be wrong in his doctrine and right in his heart. However, this is not something that followers of William Branham's message really believe in a practical sense. If you don't believe the way that they do, you are generally classified as a "foolish virgin."

Quotes

BELIEVEST.THOU.THIS HOUSTON.TX 50-0115

Now, if I get some doctrine in this, you don't believe it, that's all right. We won't fall out about it. But just like if you'd ask me to eat cherry pie at your house. And I love it. If I was eating cherry pie, I'd go ahead eating pie till I hit a seed; I wouldn't throw the pie away, I'd throw the seed away, just keep on eating pie.

So that's what you do about this. What you believe, receive it. And what you don't believe, well lay it aside.

WHY BEAUMONT.TX 61-0125

And I want to say to you, all you people, you churches; I wouldn't want you to think that I was a--a person that tried to disagree with all churches, and they're all wrong and I'm the one's right. If I've left that impression, forgive me. I didn't mean it like that. But I meant to say that there's not an organization in the world, I don't believe, of Christian religion but what's got good people in it, and they got God's people in it.

I do not agree with organization, I--because that the organization... Now, listen close. If the organization would say, "We believe this," with a comma, all right. But if, "We believe this, period," that's all wrong. See, see? If you end your doctrine with a comma: "We believe this, plus as much as God wants to add to it"; but when you say, "We believe this, period, and that's all," then you shut God right out of it. See? And that's the way organizations do. They end it with a--with a period.

ABRAHAM.AND.HIS.SEED.AFTER.HIM BLOOMINGTON.IL 61-0416

Now, God called him by election. Now, brethren, my precious darling brethren, if I happen to get out of order in the Scriptural doctrine, will you just forgive me for it and knowed it's my ignorance? Will you do it...?... And my theological brethren out there, if you feel I--my doctrine is wrong, will you just forget it? See, just...

Now, many you people are writing me letters and saying, "Brother Branham, should we do this or do that?"

I always say, "Ask your pastor." See? Because I'll do anything I can answer you on the great fundamental evangelical doctrines of the Bible. But when it comes to about: "Should we do this and do that." I always refer to your pastor, because we might... Each man, there isn't two here, but what would disagree with one another on little technical things, whether we should comb our hair on the right side or the left. And mine, I have no trouble with that. So--so... But you know what I mean. We--we have those things, so I always just say that every congregation, "Ask your pastor those things." If he has led you far enough to be saved and filled with the Holy Ghost, can't you trust him the rest of the way through? If God honored him for that...

But on bringing this timely thought to the people this afternoon, I'm going to have to use just a little bit of doctrine, that might be said, or something like that, but if you don't think it's right, just lay it aside and go on. If the pastor teaches anything a little different, forget what I said about it. See? Because I'm trying to come to a point. I hope that's all right. I hope that's made clear.

THE.GODHEAD.EXPLAINED_ CHICAGO.IL V-2 N-24 TUESDAY_ 61-0425B

Now, I said to Brother Scism and Brother Ness, "To answer your question," I said, "now, I do not take either sides with you brethren, and I know, as long as you fuss, you're both wrong (See?), because I would rather be wrong in my doctrine and right in my heart, than to be right in my doctrine and wrong in my heart." See? I said, "After all, it's your heart's condition."

And I made that a practice to know this, that if a man, no matter what he does and how much he differs, and what he says about me, if in my heart, not from just a duty, but from my heart I can't love that man as well as I love anyone else, then I know there's something wrong in here. See? That's right, because it's--it's... No matter if he...

GETTING.IN.THE.SPIRIT_ CHICAGO.IL FRIDAY_ 61-0428

Sure Jehoram couldn't do it. He wouldn't believe it. He--you see, they couldn't believe it. The school said, "Now, wait a minute here. Now, we know this fellow's kindly all het up, so we will let him set around, and we will get our groups together and we will go out and pick him up again. He is out there somewhere."

And that's what we've tried to do for two thousand years. And Pentecostal people, you're doing the same thing, trying to pick Him up by organization. You'll never do it, separating yourself from other brothers. You've got to come back, and we got to be one. I don't care if the man's wrong. If he's wrong and sincere in his heart and you're right in your belief and--and you're wrong in the--acting the way you're acting. I'd rather be in his place than be in yours. That's right.

I'd rather be wrong in my doctrine and right in my heart. God will respect it more. So if a man is wrong, what of it? Help him. He needs help. Love him. If you can't love your enemy the same as you love those who love you, you're no better off than the publicans. That's right. That's what the Church has failed to get. I hope you get it tonight. I hope you see what I'm talking about.