In her writings, Ellen White uses the phrase "blind leading the blind" to caution against following leaders who are themselves in spiritual darkness or error. She warns that such leaders cause both themselves and their followers to stumble. Here are some specific examples: * **On Rejecting Truth:** "I have seen how the blind guides were laboring to make souls as blind as themselves... The main object is to get around the Sabbath of the Lord and observe another day than that sanctified and hallowed by Jehovah. If they are driven from one position, they take an opposite one, even a position that they had but just before condemned as unsound" (EW 68). * **On Self-Confidence:** "Some have been so blinded by their own unbelief that they could not discern the spirit of Brother B... He has been a stumbling block, a blind leader of the blind. Had he made straight paths for his feet, the lame would not have been turned out of the way, but would have been healed" (3T 441.1). * **On Lacking Divine Guidance:** "Though blind yourself, you attempt to lead the blind... The reason for your inefficiency is that you have given up the idea of knowing and doing the will of God, therefore you do not know anything positively" (3T 466.4). She also emphasizes that relying on any human leader is risky, as everyone is fallible. The only true safety is in following Christ directly. * **On Human Fallibility:** "Those who stand in the highest positions may lead astray. The wisest err; the strongest may falter and stumble. There is need that light from above should be constantly shed upon our pathway. Our only safety lies in trusting our way implicitly to Him who has said, 'Follow Me'" (PP 556.2).

In her writings, Ellen White uses the phrase "blind leading the blind" to caution against following leaders who are themselves in spiritual darkness or error. She warns that such leaders cause both themselves and their followers to stumble. Here are some specific examples: * **On Rejecting Truth:** "I have seen how the blind guides were laboring to make souls as blind as themselves... The main object is to get around the Sabbath of the Lord and observe another day than that sanctified and hallowed by Jehovah. If they are driven from one position, they take an opposite one, even a position that they had but just before condemned as unsound" (EW 68). * **On Self-Confidence:** "Some have been so blinded by their own unbelief that they could not discern the spirit of Brother B... He has been a stumbling block, a blind leader of the blind. Had he made straight paths for his feet, the lame would not have been turned out of the way, but would have been healed" (3T 441.1). * **On Lacking Divine Guidance:** "Though blind yourself, you attempt to lead the blind... The reason for your inefficiency is that you have given up the idea of knowing and doing the will of God, therefore you do not know anything positively" (3T 466.4). She also emphasizes that relying on any human leader is risky, as everyone is fallible. The only true safety is in following Christ directly. * **On Human Fallibility:** "Those who stand in the highest positions may lead astray. The wisest err; the strongest may falter and stumble. There is need that light from above should be constantly shed upon our pathway. Our only safety lies in trusting our way implicitly to Him who has said, 'Follow Me'" (PP 556.2).

Here is an outline and explanation of Luke 6:36-49, based on the writings of Ellen G. White. ### Luke 6:36-38: On Mercy, Judgment, and Giving * **Verse 36: "Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful."** Ellen White emphasizes that our mercy towards others is a reflection of God's mercy towards us. She explains that this is not a mercy that compromises justice, but one that is tender, loving, and compassionate. "The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy. He will not always chide: neither will he keep his anger for ever. He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities. For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him" (ST, June 1, 1882, par. 1). * **Verse 37: "Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven."** This is a call to leave judgment in God's hands. Ellen White warns against the human tendency to judge the motives and actions of others, a role for which we are not qualified. "The work of judging is the Lord's, and he will do a just and righteous work. We are not to feel that it is our work to pass judgment on our fellow men" (RH, March 27, 1888, par. 10). Forgiveness is presented as a condition for receiving forgiveness ourselves. * **Verse 38: "Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again."** This verse is presented as a principle of heaven's economy. Our generosity, whether in material goods, service, or forgiveness, will be returned to us in abundance. "The contributions of the poor, given through self-denial to aid in extending the precious light of saving truth, will not only be a sweet-smelling savor to God, and wholly acceptable to him as a consecrated gift, but the very act of giving expands the heart of the giver, and unites him more fully to the Redeemer of the world" (3T 398.1). ### Luke 6:39-42: On Spiritual Leadership and Self-Examination * **Verse 39: "And he spake a parable unto them, Can the blind lead the blind? shall they not both fall into the ditch?"** As discussed previously, this is a warning against following leaders who are spiritually blind. Ellen White applies this to ministers, teachers, and any person in a position of influence who is not guided by the light of God's word. "Those who stand in the highest positions may lead astray. The wisest err; the strongest may falter and stumble. There is need that light from above should be constantly shed upon our pathway. Our only safety lies in trusting our way implicitly to Him who has said, 'Follow Me'" (PP 556.2). * **Verse 40: "The disciple is not above his master: but every one that is perfect shall be as his master."** The goal of the Christian life is to become like Christ. This verse is a call to humility and a reminder that our aim is to emulate our Master, not to surpass Him. "The highest work of the Christian is to be like Christ. Day by day he is to behold the glory of the character of Christ, and to become changed into his likeness" (RH, March 15, 1892, par. 1). * **Verses 41-42: "And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but perceivest not the beam that is in thine own eye? ... Thou hypocrite, cast out first the beam out of thine own eye, and then shalt thou see clearly to pull out the mote that is in thy brother's eye."** This is a powerful rebuke of hypocrisy and a call for self-examination before criticizing others. Ellen White stresses the importance of dealing with our own faults before we can effectively help others with theirs. "He who is guilty of wrong is the first to suspect wrong. By condemning another he is trying to conceal or excuse the evil of his own heart. It is through sin that men gain a knowledge of sin. The heart that has not been cleansed from its own sin is not able to see the defects of others" (MB 126.1). ### Luke 6:43-45: On Character and its Fruits * **Verses 43-44: "For a good tree bringeth not forth corrupt fruit; neither doth a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. For every tree is known by his own fruit. For of thorns men do not gather figs, nor of a bramble bush gather they grapes."** Here, Jesus illustrates that our actions are the natural result of our inner character. A person with a heart renewed by God's grace will naturally produce good works, just as a good tree produces good fruit. "The character is revealed, not by occasional good deeds and occasional misdeeds, but by the tendency of the habitual words and acts" (SC 57.3). * **Verse 45: "A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh."** This verse connects our words directly to the state of our heart. What we say is a reliable indicator of what is inside us. "The words are an indication of that which is in the heart. 'Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.' But the words are more than an indication of character; they have power to react on the character. Men are influenced by their own words" (COL 339.1). ### Luke 6:46-49: On Hearing and Doing * **Verse 46: "And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?"** This is a direct challenge to a faith that is based on profession without practice. True discipleship is demonstrated by obedience, not just by acknowledging Jesus as Lord. "It is not enough to say, 'I am a child of God.' We are to give evidence of our sonship by a Christ-like life" (RH, October 28, 1909, par. 1). * **Verses 47-49: The Parable of the Two Builders.** This parable concludes the sermon with a powerful illustration of the difference between hearing and doing. * **The Wise Builder (v. 47-48):** The one who hears God's words and puts them into practice is like a man who builds his house on a solid rock foundation. When the storms of life come, the house stands firm. "The rock is Christ. He is the sure foundation. Upon this rock we may build with safety. He is a tried stone, a sure foundation" (COL 298.1). * **The Foolish Builder (v. 49):** The one who hears but does not obey is like a man who builds on the sand without a foundation. When the storms come, the house is destroyed. "The sand is a shifting, yielding foundation. The house built upon it is sure to be overthrown" (COL 298.1). The storms represent the trials and temptations of life, and the final judgment. Our only safety is in a faith that is demonstrated by obedience to Christ's words.