Two government agents were assigned the case of “Dread Pirate Roberts.” This “pirate” was the anonymous operator of “the Silk Road,” a website that sold illegal drugs by using the virtual currency Bitcoin. The agents caught their man, but not before becoming criminals themselves. They allegedly sold the information about their investigation and blackmailed the “pirate,” transferring big bucks to their own bank accounts. Their story demonstrates how thin the line is between good and evil.
Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn once wrote, “The line separating good and evil passes not through states, nor between classes, nor between political parties either, but right through every human heart.”
God knows this, and so He cautions us when seeking to restore a fellow believer in Jesus who’s wrestling with sin. We must “gently and humbly help that person back onto the right path” lest we “fall into the same temptation” (Galatians 6:1). If we harshly rebuke or scoff at them, we’re declaring that we could never be so foolish. Proverbs 16:18 warns, “Pride goes before destruction, and haughtiness before a fall.” Paul adds, “If you think you are standing strong, be careful not to fall” (1 Corinthians 10:12).
Peter didn’t believe he could deny Jesus—just hours before he did. David couldn’t imagine committing adultery and then murder to cover it up, but a series of bad decisions led him there. His first one was supposing that it couldn’t happen to him.
What believers in Jesus struggling with sin are weighing on your heart today? Gently confront their sin and call them to repentance. Do so humbly, knowing that you too could slip into the mire. Give them your hand, but keep your feet on the solid Rock.
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: Deuteronomy 31:1-8
More:
Read Psalm 139:1,23-24 to prepare yourself for dealing with the sin of a straying believer in Jesus.
Next:
Have you ever shaken your head at the foolishness of someone’s sin? What’s the best way to lovingly approach a believer in Jesus who is struggling?
alipat59 on February 25, 2016 at 12:22 am
very sobering
Russell Fralick on February 25, 2016 at 5:04 am
Thanks for that Mike. I heard someone say once that we are all capable of any and every sin imaginable given the right circumstances. It is only by God’s grace that we can resist such temptations. When I realised this it freed me to minister far more effectively to those caught in sin, and ended the disease of judgementalism that had characterised my life and Christian walk. Now, when I come across even the vilest of sins I can only be thankful and worship the God who keeps me secure day by day, and restores me when I myself get it wrong…which is all too frequently!
godlove on February 25, 2016 at 8:18 am
“We are all capable of any and every sin imaginable given the right circumstances” – this is so true, and that’s why the words of 1 Corinthians 10:12 mentioned by Mike are so important to every Christian. No need to have that famous holier than thou attitude which many seem to have when they see other Christians struggling with sin. Nice comment Russell, and nice post Mike.
Mike Wittmer on February 25, 2016 at 11:53 am
I read recently that our understanding of our own frailty enables us to be empathetic counselors. We must commiserate with every sinner for any sin, or we run the risk of ending up there ourselves.
Gary Shultz on February 25, 2016 at 6:42 am
Mike, like what you and Russell have mentioned, I find myself a “wet tile” walker through this life. Many things go as hoped for, but one wrong move, and as mentioned, we have joined those on the floor. I used to think why get up, I’ll just fall again anyway. As Russell mentioned, I’ve lived there a longtime. Then I came to understand that God would help me get back up over, over and over again. He didn’t like my slipping, but He understood it and was willing to help me get footing again. Now when I’m standing up, braced by God’s care and I have an ample array of skid marks to remind me to be careful on “wet tile”. Thanks Mike.
gagirllive on February 25, 2016 at 7:42 am
A friend said to me the other day (referring to believers) that she couldn’t tell the good guys from the bad guys anymore. I responded by saying that we’re all bad guys…it’s just that some of us have forgotten. That’s how I deal with this issue. I try to see people from the perspective that except for the grace of God, there go I. I know how prone to wander this heart of mine is. That goes a long way in helping me approach another believer in gentleness and humility. The enemy would like nothing more than to trap us in the very sin we’re so quick to point out to others. We have to cling to Jesus all the time, knowing that when we fall, His grace will restore. Surely we can give that same grace to our fellow sojourners. We are wisely warned to heed the instruction of this passage. Thanks for this good word today, Mike!
Mike Wittmer on February 25, 2016 at 11:55 am
I love that–‘we’re all bad guys.’ And in Christ, because of His forgiveness, we’re also simultaneously the good guys too! Praise God for His patience with us!
Tom Felten on February 25, 2016 at 10:02 am
Mike, I know of a very successful businessman and generous philanthropist who begins each public speaking engagement with these words: ‘I’m a sinner saved by grace.” What a perfect view for all believers in Jesus to hold, thanking God for the restoring and sanctifying he has done and is doing within us by the power of the Holy Spirit!
jim spillane on February 25, 2016 at 11:33 am
Mike – how often have we all heard the line, “Oh, I would never do that.” A simple statement that could be used in so many different ways, but often with a prideful tone. Let’s always try to be careful and conscious with the words we use. Blessings to all here at this forum.
Mike Wittmer on February 25, 2016 at 11:57 am
True that, Jim! I have actually said those words recently, about a situation that I could never imagine getting into. But the Spirit convicted me immediately, and I realized that the person caught in that sin had once, and for a very long time, thought the same thing. But there he was. And there, but for the grace of God, am I.