What does Ellen White write about...
Adventistische Schriften über: "Advice on how, according to Adventist understanding, to deal with an acquaintance who lives with his girlfriend and has sexual relations outside of marriage; fear of violating his privacy; the user has also sinned before marriage and deeply regrets it."
Answer
According to Adventist understanding, sexual intimacy outside of marriage is considered a violation of God's commandments, therefore couples in such a situation are called to order their relationship through marriage or end the improper union. However, when addressing another's misstep, it must never be done with hardness, condemnation, or rebuke, as accusations only harden the individuals further. Instead, the admonition should always be in the spirit of meekness and with deep self‑examination – in awareness of one's own weakness, fallibility, and personal need for God's mercy.
Clear Biblical Boundaries for Premarital Relationships and the Commandment of Purity
»No young man should behave toward Mattie as you have done, unless he is married to her; and I was very surprised to see that you did not regard this matter more sharply... Will you now completely change and cut off the last relationship with Mattie? Will she do the same on her part? If neither of you wants to do so, marry her immediately and no longer bring yourself and God's cause into dishonor.«
Admonition in Awareness of One's Own Weakness and Mercy
»Often the erring must be presented with the truth and facts clearly, so that they recognize and feel their error, so that they may amend themselves. Yet this should always be done with compassionate gentleness, not with hardness or severity, but by considering one's own weakness, lest one also be tempted... All who are followers of Christ should deal with one another just as we expect the Lord to deal with us in our faults and weaknesses, for we are all flawed and need His mercy and forgiveness.«
Meek Restoration of the Lacking instead of Condemnation
»Let poor, weak mortals consider how great their own need is for mercy and forbearance from God and their brothers. Let them guard against judging and condemning others. We should heed the apostle's instruction: “You who are spiritual, help him again rightly with a meek spirit; and watch yourself that you are not also tempted.” We can fall under temptation and need all the forbearance we are to extend toward the lacking.«
Winning Conduct instead of Harsh Accusations
»No one has ever been reclaimed from a false stance through accusations and rebuke; many, however, are further driven away from the right path and have their hearts hardened against correction. A spirit of kindness, a courteous, forgiving attitude can save the erring and cover many sins.«
Together with Christ, Raising the Lacking in the Spirit of Meekness
»Christ's work is to redeem, restore, seek, and save what is lost. When we are united with Christ, we also share in the divine nature and are to be co‑workers with God. We are to bind the broken and wounded soul; and when a brother or sister has erred, we should not join with the enemy to destroy and corrupt, but work together with Christ to restore such a person in the spirit of meekness.«
Original Sources (English)
Stephan Krol
Founder of EGW Vision
Why I built EGW Vision
Hello, I am Stephan Krol. I started this Ellen White website to make the writings of Ellen G. White and the Adventist pioneers easier to access for everyone.
EGW Vision helps you find topics, statements, and quotes faster, especially when many original sources are not yet fully available in your language. The tool searches semantically, groups relevant content by topic, and presents matching results as clearly as possible in your language.
My hope is that this tool supports personal Bible study, strengthens trust in the original sources, and helps more people discover the message of these writings with clarity, depth, and joy.
