Reproving Sin
What were some of the evils the prophets spoke against, and what parallels can you see to our own days? 1 Kings 18:21, Isa. 1:10-14, Amos 5:12, Mal. 3:8-10, Matt. 3:7-10.
Prophets were commissioned by God to resist social injustice, root out idolatry, protest against immorality, and condemn formalistic worship and hypocrisy. At times it seemed to them that their voices were the only dissenting voices (1 Kings 19:14); yet, their protests were God’s protests and were delivered regardless of the consequences.
How did Ellen White deal with messages of reproof for individuals?
How did Ellen White deal with messages of reproof for individuals?
Like the prophets of old, Ellen White had to reprove sins known only to the individual and God. It was a work she did not enjoy. “I bore my testimony and related things which had been shown me in the past history of some present, warning them of their dangers and reproving their wrong course of action. I stated that I had been placed in most disagreeable positions. When families and individuals were brought before me in vision, it was frequently the case that what was shown me in relation to them was of a private nature, reproving secret sins. I have labored with some for months in regard to wrongs of which others knew nothing. As my brethren see these persons sad, and hear them express doubts in regard to their acceptance with God, also feelings of despondency, they have cast censure upon me, as though I were to blame for their being in trial. . . . It has been the disagreeable work assigned me to reprove private sins. Were I, in order to prevent suspicions and jealousy, to give a full explanation of my course, and make public that which should be kept private, I should sin against God and wrong the individuals. I have to keep private reproofs of private wrongs to myself, locked in my own breast. Let others judge as they may, I will never betray the confidence reposed in me by the erring and repentant, or reveal to others that which should only be brought before the ones that are guilty.”—Ellen G. White, Testimonies for the Church, vol. 1, p. 584, 585.
| If the Lord gave Ellen White a message to you, what do you think it would say, and why? Most important, how would you respond? |
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