I beg you to let me share with you what God has shown to me. This is not meant to condemn or judge anyone. This is simply a compilation of verses and the string of logic with which it is tied together.
It seems to me that Christians today would rather pet each other’s sin than stand up against it as we are commanded to. I have watched it happen many times and even done it. Why are we afraid to do what is right? I believe there are several reasons. One, we are so full of unconfessed and unrepented sin that to say anything in response to another’s sin would be like trying to pull the splinter out of his eye, while beating him with the pole sticking out of our own. I agree that if we are not walking in the spirit, than we need to get right with God before we try to get our brother or sister right. However, one of the biggest reasons I believe we don’t stand up against sin is for the fear of man. Proverbs 29:25 says, “The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the Lord shall be safe.” If we fear man, we cannot fear God. The Bible says that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. Most of us don’t fear that we’ll be physically harmed if we stand up against sin. Instead we fear what man will say about us. “He’s a hypocrite, a Pharisee.” “She thinks she’s better than everyone else.”
Recently I saw several friends who claim to be Christians, acting nothing like Christians. My first reaction was to be angry at their sin. However, instead of confronting them I told myself, “Their sin may be more open than my own, but it is no worse in the eyes of God.” And truly, Christ would still have had to die for me, if the biggest sin I had ever committed was being born into this world. I began searching myself, and I was never more thankful for the forgiveness of God. I began to ask God whether it was better to ignore the glorified sin of others or stand up against it in His name.
Isnt’ it interesting how God will always reveal himself to us when we seek Him? I believe that this is one of the most exciting experiences in the life of a Christian: to get a glimpse of the face of God and to watch His hand at work in our lives.
I was reading Psalms 50 when verse 22 and 23 jumped out at me. “Now consider this, ye that forget God, lest I tear you in pieces, and there be none to deliver. Whoso offereth praise glorifieth me: and to him that ordereth his conversation aright I will show the salvation of God.” The consequence for turning away from God is a horrible thing. If you are not willing to warn the person who has turned away from God, it is likely that you do not love that person. I found several other passages that clearly point out what God would have us do when we witness sin:
Leviticus 5:1
“And if a soul sin, and hear the voice of swearing, and a witness, whether he hath seen or known of it; if he do not utter it, then he shall bear his iniquity.”
2nd Timothy 2:24
“And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient;
In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;
And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.”
Proverbs 24:24-26
“He that saith unto the wicked, Thou art righteous; him shall the people curse, nations shall abhor him:
But to them that rebuke him shall be delight, and a good blessing shall come upon them.
Every man shall kiss his lips that giveth a right answer.”
Ezekiel 3:17
“Son of man, I have made thee a watchman unto the house of Israel: therefore hear the word at my mouth, and give them warning from me.
When I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt surely die; and thou givest him not warning, nor speakest to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life; the same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand.”
Now I am not saying that you should take these verses, and blast every sinner you know out of the water. Remember you are a sinner. If you are not right with God, don’t you dare try to pull any splinters!
God will not bless you for being a Pharisee or a hypocrite. There are several verses in the Bible that give us direction as to how we are to give rebuke, but I believe that Proverbs 15:1 says it best. “A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.”
Another thing to consider is the spiritual condition of the person you are speaking to. Proverbs 9:8 tells us, “Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee: rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee.” Proverbs 13:1 says, “A wise son heareth his father’s instruction: but a scorner heareth not rebuke.” Proverbs 15:5, “A fool despiseth his father’s instruction: but he that regardeth reproof is prudent.”
You cannot change the heart of man. You cannot even move his thinking. The Bible clearly states that the heart of the king is in the hand of the Lord. The only one who can change the mind of a man is God almighty. If you believe that God would have you confront sin, be sure that you have done the following: 1) Confess your sin before God and make sure you are right. 2) Ask God for wisdom in how to confront the person. 3) Season your words with salt and the word of God. 4) Stand up for others who stand for right. It’s hard to stand alone.
We cannot change the heart of man, but that is no excuse for standing up for sin. Do what is right.
Colossians 4:6
“Let your speech be always with grace seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.”
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