What does Ellen White write about...
Adventistische Schriften über: "How should one advise a person who has sinned?"
Answer
If one wishes to advise a person who has sinned or fallen into error, it should be done, according to biblical principle, confidentially, one‑on‑one, and in a spirit of humility, meekness, and tender love. One must guard against pride, accusations, anger, or harshness and remember that one is weak oneself and in need of God’s grace. The goal of any counsel or rebuke must never be condemnation, but the loving restoration and encouragement of the one concerned.
Rebuke in the Spirit of Meekness and Love
»If you are grieved because your neighbors or friends do wrong to their own detriment, if they are hurried into a mistake, then follow the biblical rule: "Tell him his fault between you and him alone." [...] When you go to the one you assume is in the wrong, be careful to speak in a meek and humble spirit, for human anger does not accomplish God’s justice. The erring can be restored in no other way than in the spirit of meekness, kindness, and tender love. Be careful in the way you speak. Avoid any look, gesture, word, or tone that tastes of pride or self‑righteousness. Guard yourself against words or glances that elevate yourself or set your goodness and righteousness against the other's errors. [...] Consider that the success of a rebuke largely depends on the spirit in which it is given.«
Restoration in the Awareness of One's Own Weakness
»‘Brothers, if a person is hurried into a mistake, help him back on track with a meek spirit, you who are spiritual; and watch yourself so that you are not also tempted. Let each bear the other's burden, and you will fulfill the law of Christ.’ [...] Just as Christ had compassion for us and helped us in our weakness and sinfulness, we too should have compassion and help others. [...] Let the 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 back on track with a meek spirit; and watch yourself so that you are not also tempted.’«
Do Not Condemn, but Encourage and Love
»Never, ever become heartless, cold, indifferent, or fault‑seeking. Never miss an opportunity to say a word of encouragement and to raise hope. We cannot measure how far‑reaching our gentle words of kindness and our Christ‑like efforts can be in easing a burden. The erring can be restored in no other way than in the spirit of meekness, kindness, and tender love. [...] Do not despise the guilty, but plead with them in the kindest, gentlest manner, and you can lead the lost back to God, to humanity, and to good.«
Cooperate with Christ to Restore Souls
»The work of Christ is to redeem, restore, seek, and save what was lost. When we are united with Christ, we also partake of 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 cooperate 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.
