If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us” (1 John 1:8). The fact is, we all commit sin (Rom. 3:23). We all need God’s mercy and love to be forgiven in Christ (Eph. 2:4-7; 1:7). The mercy we have in Christ compels us to show mercy to those who sin against us (Matt. 18:32-35). However, this is only one of the responses God teaches us to have when others, including Christians, sin.

It can become especially difficult to react properly when a fellow Christian sins, and even more so when the sin is directly against us. Consider these typical reactions and what God teaches us to do when a Christian sins.

(1) Some ignore the sin. Approaching another person about sin is not pleasant; it can be heart-wrenching and painful. Yet, Jesus said, “Moreover if your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he hears you, you have gained your brother” (Matt. 18:15). Whether against us or someone else, when we know of a fellow Christian’s sin we should not say, “That is his (her) problem, it doesn’t concern me.” The Holy Spirit said we ought to care for one another, “…the members (of the body, the church, JRP) should have the same care for one another” (1 Cor. 12:25).

(2) Some follow the sinner into sin. We all have a certain amount of influence over others. Because this is true, it is also true we may let others influence us into sharing in their sin (or at least, condoning it). “And the rest of the Jews also played the hypocrite with him (Peter, JRP), so that even Barnabas was carried away with their hypocrisy” (Gal. 2:13). Jesus warned His Jewish audience to follow the Law of Moses taught them by the Pharisees, but not to follow their works, “for they say, and do not” (Matt. 23:3). 

To follow someone else into sin is always a dead-end street. To fellowship them in their sin is also a sin (2 John 10-11).

(3) Some forsake the truth in disgust or despair. Christians are not to think or be like the world (2 Cor. 6:17; 1 John 2:15-16). It discourages us when Christians choose the world over righteousness. One of Paul’s companions left him for the world, and others failed to take their stand with him in his hour of trial (2 Tim. 4:10, 16). Did Paul decide to give up and walk away from the truth? No. He “fought the good fight…finished the race…kept the faith” (2 Tim. 4:8). When your faith is tested by the sins of others, take heart and stay the course. God is calling you to higher, holier living.

(4) Some follow the teaching of Jesus. “Take heed to yourselves. If your brother sins against you, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him. And if he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times in a day returns to you, saying, ‘I repent,’ you shall forgive him” (Luke 17:3-4). The root word translated “rebuke” means to fix a value upon, “to show honor to” (Thayer), thus, “to convict, refute.” So, when we rebuke a Christian over sin we show our honor for him. (If he or she were of no value to us, we would not give the rebuke.) As Paul said, “Have I therefore become your enemy because I tell you the truth” (Gal. 4:16)? The goal of the rebuke is to bring about repentance (Luke 17:3). If the Christian repents we must forgive him. Otherwise, bitterness and malice find places to lodge in our hearts. Even sins repeatedly committed against us are to be forgiven as the sinner repents and asks for our mercy and compassion (Luke 17:4; Matt. 18:21-22).

(5) We should pray for the sinner. The prayers of righteous people are powerful. So, “confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed” (James 5:16). Simon asked Peter to pray for him (Acts 8:24). Even so, we should be praying for each other (Eph. 6:18).

(6) We should teach the sinner the way of truth. The path of truth leads the sinner out of sin into the hope of God’s forgiveness and merciful love. When a fellow Christian commits sin it is our task to try to “restore” and “convert” him (Gal. 6:1; James 5:19). It is the power of God, found in His word of truth, that cuts to the sinner’s heart and shows the way of salvation (Acts 2:37-38; Rom. 1:16-17). Unless we teach God’s truth to sinners they will continue to be lost in their sins (Rom. 10:13-17).

-The Spirit’s Sword
(March 27, 2005), edited

Top