Obtaining Victory Over Sin - NetBibleStudy.com

Victory Over Sin 76repentant and is given instruction on how to break from that sin, there is no reason forothers to become involved.So many have disobeyed God on this score. Because confronting anotherbeliever in love takes courage, many take the cowardly route of gossip and pass thenews to others, thinking they will help, or at least “pray about it.” Baser motives oftenlie beneath such excuses. Many seem to delight in other people’s faults because it givesthem an exalted feeling of superiority – thinking, “We’d never do that!”Churches have been split and family relationships shattered beyond repairbecause someone has not had the courage to go to a fellow Christian caught in a sin.Matters that should have been cared for in private have mushroomed into bitterconfrontations when people have chosen sides on the issues. Such is the price ofcowardice. More accurately, such is the fruit of disobedience.Paul gave some instructions regarding our attitude in the restoration process. Ifthe person’s sin is generally known, the church should select qualified men to confrontthe believer in love. “Brethren, even if a man is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritualrestore such an one in a spirit of gentleness; looking to yourselves, lest you too be tempted”(Galatians 6:1). We’ve already mentioned that sin in another person’s life may tend togenerate self-righteousness in us. It is human nature to feel superior, and to believe thatwe are immune to curtain kinds of temptations. That kind of attitude will stifle anyattempt to restore a brother. Paul warns that we dare not come across as some “superspiritual”Christian. We must go in humility, knowing full well that we could slide intothe same trespass.Of course, the initial contact is not the end of it. We must be prepared tobefriend, counsel, and pray with those who are hurting. God wants every one of us tohave a ministry in the life of another believer. We find that this ministry is not onesided, but soon discover that we cannot help others without being edified in return. It’snot that part of the body of Christ should be dependent on another part, but rather,that we all need to be dependent on each other. Anything less than this fostersindividualism that prevents spiritual growth and is sin.Getting Practical1. Read 1 Corinthians 12:12-27. What responsibility does one member of thebody of Christ have to another? Give specific examples. Why do you think that believesdo no help each other - as they ought?2. If possible, join a small group of believers who pray together and support oneanother spiritually. Learn to share your concerns and struggles with them. It might bewell to think of creative ways that the group could better help one another grow inChrist.