Don't turn a blind eye

The topic of sin can be all too overwhelming. Many people stay away from the topic because they are ashamed, ashamed of being judged. So, they hide their struggles or they give into them. Before a person comes to Christ they in most instances do not realize they are sinners who need the saving grace of the Lord. So, in sharing the good news believers must understand that leading a non believer away from a life of sin will look very different than a believer caught in the grips of sin. Whoa, let me repeat myself, "leading a non believer away from a life of sin will look very different than a believer caught in the grips of sin." Yes it's true, believers still wrestle with sin, gasp! Once a person accepts Christ as His savior it is his spirit that is reborn instantly but his soul (thoughts, emotions and will) is not. New believers find themselves crushed under the actualization that they may still wrestle with sin, hence why the need for the saving grace of the Lord never ends. But, alas-this post is for the believer so, let's stay on topic :-)

As a believer the Bible tells us not to judge or criticize because by doing so we bring the same judgement and criticism upon ourselves. We are not to point out the sin in another person's life if we-ourselves choose to live a life dominated by sin (Matthew 7) The day and age in which we live is one in which the sinful acts of the past that a person may have committed in the dark have in most instances become the norm for most, the new way of living. The most troubling thing about this is that as Christians have worked hard to operate in love for others as Christ did they too have come to accept these sinful lifestyles as the norm as well.

The question that is often thought of but rarely asked is, "what is the believer's responsibility when you see a fellow sister or brother in Christ who has adopted a sinful lifestyle?" In Matthew 18 around verse 11 Christ states to his disciples that He came to save those that are lost. He then proceeds in verse 12 to tell the parable of the shepherd with 100 sheep. "If any man has a hundred sheep, and one of them has gone astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine on the mountains and go and search for the one that is straying? If it turns out that he finds it, truly I say to you, he rejoices over it more than over the ninety-nine which have not gone astray. So it is not the will of your Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones perish."

As Christ's ambassadors in the earth we are His representatives and are charged with the same mission as Peter and all the disciples were-to feed His lambs (supply nutrients to babes in Christ)-to tend His sheep (look after them while they are developing and maturing) and to feed His sheep (seasoned believers still need to be supplied with nutrients to sustain what they have acquired and for continued growth) all the while doing this in love and with much compassion (John 2:15-18)

BRETHREN, IF any person is overtaken in misconduct or sin of any sort, you who are spiritual [who are responsive to and controlled by the Spirit] should set him right and restore and reinstate him, without any sense of superiority and with all gentleness, keeping an attentive eye on yourself, lest you should be tempted also Galatians 6:1

The Lord's bond-servant must not be quarrelsome, but be kind to all, able to teach, patient when wronged, with gentleness correcting those who are in opposition, if perhaps God may grant them repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, having been held captive by him to do his will. 2 Tim:24-26

You see, turning someone away from sin is not to be done in judgement but in love; with the mindset that it is not acceptable for any to be lost, not when we, God's children are full of His light, love and truth. Many people do not see the error of their ways for many reasons but here are two realizations that keep people from knowing or accepting truth.

But the natural, nonspiritual man does not accept or welcome or admit into his heart the gifts and teachings and revelations of the Spirit of God, for they are folly (meaningless nonsense) to him; and he is incapable of knowing them [of progressively recognizing, understanding, and becoming better acquainted with them] because they are spiritually discerned and estimated and appreciated.

But the spiritual man tries all things [he examines, investigates, inquires into, questions, and discerns all things], 1 Corinthians 2:14-15

For such men are false apostles [spurious, counterfeits], deceitful workmen, masquerading as apostles (special messengers) of Christ (the Messiah). And it is no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light; 2 Corinthians 11:14

My fellow brothers and sisters in Christ-our great foe the devil wants to keep us in bondage, ignorant to God's truth. How do you know if you are led by God or being lured by Satan-easy by the fruit that you bear (Matt 7:16-18)

For the desires of the flesh are opposed to the [Holy] Spirit, and the [desires of the] Spirit are opposed to the flesh (godless human nature); for these are antagonistic to each other [continually withstanding and in conflict with each other], so that you are not free but are prevented from doing what you desire to do. But if you are guided (led) by the [Holy] Spirit, you are not subject to the Law. Now the doings (practices) of the flesh are clear (obvious): they are immorality, impurity, indecency, Idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, anger (ill temper), selfishness, divisions (dissensions), party spirit (factions, sects with peculiar opinions, heresies), Envy, drunkenness, carousing, and the like. I warn you beforehand, just as I did previously, that those who do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.But the fruit of the [Holy] Spirit [the work which His presence within accomplishes] is love, joy (gladness), peace, patience (an even temper, forbearance), kindness, goodness (benevolence), faithfulness,Gentleness (meekness, humility), self-control (self-restraint, continence). Galatians 5:17-23

So, how do you help your fellow believer caught in the grips of sin? Your only assistance maybe in demonstrating love and praying, while for others God may ask you to confront directly. However, in either situation seek God first. Never go off of good intentions alone because to be overzealous is to be hasty and miss the mark (Proverbs 19:2) Holy Spirit will direct your footsteps just trust in the promises and process of God.