Reproof | AdventAI

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Oct 5, 1869

Reproof.

It is a great mistake to suppose that reproof and fault-finding are one and the same thing. A fretful, peevish spirit is the impelling power that causes people to find fault. But reproof comes from a higher and nobler source. It originates in a desire to benefit the wrong doer. It is never the result of ill temper. It is the work of a faithful friend. Fault-finding is from the spirit of the devil, but reproof is inspired by the Spirit of God. We cannot dispense with reproof. A church in which reproof has no place is a church asleep in sin.

We can make progress heavenward only by constant instruction in those things that reveal our faults, and by constant effort to heed such instruction. Reproof wisely administered is the most salutary kind of instruction. We wish to appear at the last day in white raiment. The present time is devoted to the washing process. Reproof is the calling of our attention to the spots and stains that are still found upon our raiment. We may, indeed, deeply regret the existence of the stains, but we should be foolish indeed to be displeased with him who tells us of their existence. Yet many persons are ready to answer the reproof by saying that they are no worse than most others; and that they are even as good as the reprover. And with this thought they settle down in listless inaction. Not so with a disciple of Christ. He can never rest till he knows that the fault to which his attention has been called has been put away. Even if an enemy, with a bitter, scoffing spirit, shall tell him his faults, he will learn the unpleasant truth only to be profited thereby. This is one grand reason why so great a difference exists in the professed disciples of Christ. Some lay reproof to heart and profit by it, others resist or neglect it, and cleave to their old sins. Those who profit by reproof will certainly overcome. Those who despise it will perish in their sins.