A Reproach to the Cause

Warren Buffet once said, “It takes twenty years to build a reputation and five minutes to ruin it.”

Reputation is made of glass and can easily break. Unfortunately, the Internet provides opportunity for anyone to say anything they like with little or no consequence for falsehoods. “Yellow journalism,” a phrase coined in the late nineteenth century, describes the use of misleading sensationalized stories by newspapers to improve circulation. It cares more about making money and less about reputations.

Perhaps that is why Ellen White, a woman who has been recognized by many as having the gift of prophecy, was cautious about assuming the title prophetess. There were many men and women in the late 1800s and early 1900s claiming to have this gift—a gift the Bible indicates will be active in God’s end-time churches that “keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ” (Revelation 12:17). Many people of ill repute gave the biblical work of a prophet a bad name.

Ellen White chose to not use the title prophetess when speaking of her work, but she didn’t object to others who called her by that title. She explained that many people asked her at the beginning of her work if she was a prophet. She explained, “I am the Lord’s messenger. I know that many have called me a prophet, but I have made no claim to this title. … Why have I not claimed to be a prophet? Because in these days many who boldly claim that they are prophets are a reproach to the cause of Christ; and because my work includes much more than the word ‘prophet’ signifies. … To claim to be a prophetess is something that I have never done.” John the Baptist exhibits the same humble spirit in John 3:30.

The apostle Paul encouraged Christians to “test all things; hold fast what is good” (1 Thessalonians 5:21). Read Ellen White’s writings for yourself before you decide whether or not her messages are authentic. And be cautious about yellow journalism.

Apply It:

Have you ever fallen for fake news and later discovered the truth?

Dig Deeper:

1 Kings 22:1–28; Ecclesiastes 7:1; 1 Peter 2:12

Key Bible Texts

A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold. (Proverbs 22:1 KJV)