«A wicked messenger falls into trouble, but a faithful ambassador brings health » (Proverbs 13:17).
INTEGRITY
Throughout my pastoral life I’ve received all kinds of materials that viciously attack the leaders of God’s people, claiming to be based on Ellen White’s writings. But today, thanks to technological development and the Internet, these kinds of rides have multiplied and become even bolder. Accusations are quite varied, starting with the most ingenious ones and ending with the most grotesque. But in many of these analyses you can see a clear manipulation of the sources that are quoted, seasoned with ingredients such as resentment and a spirit of disunity. That destroys the seriousness of the arguments and leads to angry attacks that bring dis. grace to the church.
les nothing new. Ellen White herself warned about the wrong use some people made of her writings, «Without my consent, they have made selections from the Testimonies, and have inserted them in the pamphlet they have published, to make it appear that my writings sustain and approve the position they advocate. In doing this they have done that which is not justice or righteousness. Through taking unwarrantable liberties they have presented to the people a theory that is of character to deceive and destroy. In times past many others have done this same thing, and have made it appear that the Testimonies sustained positions that were untenable and false…. The Lord has given to His people appropriate messages of warning, reproof, counsel, and instruction, but it is not appropriate to take these messages out of their connection and place them where they will seem to give force to messages of error’—Testimonies to Ministers and Gospel Workers, ch. 4, p. 32, 36.
The youth are one of the church sectors that is most susceptible to those kinds of deceits. Their intense desire for change, innovation and openness makes them an easy prey for false messengers, who take advantage of those circumstances to introduce themselves as courageous defenders of faith. That’s why, it’s very important to study the Scriptures very carefully.
False accusations, disqualifications and insults are not an acceptable method for a genuine messenger from Heaven. Those who proceed that way only reveal their deep hostility toward others, as Solomon says, «Lying lips conceal hatred» (Proverbs 10: 18, N RSV). Through their messages the church is not edified and there’s no spiritual growth, instead there are disputes, controversy and division among God’s people.
Ask the Lord today to be able to clearly hear His voice clearly.