What to Do When A Fellow Christian Sins

1.             The goal of whatever action we take: RESTORATION TO CHRIST AND HIS CHURCH!

2.             The motives we must have when we deal with other people's sin

·       1 Peter 4:8 Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins.

·       1 Thessalonians 5:15 See that no one repays anyone evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to everyone.

·       Ephesians 4:31 Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. 32 Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.

·       Philippians 2:1 So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, 2 complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. 3 Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. 4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.

·       Romans 12:16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly.  Never be conceited. 17 Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. 18 If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. 19 Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, "Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord."

·       2 Timothy 2:22 So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart. 23 Have nothing to do with foolish, ignorant controversies; you know that they breed quarrels. 24 And the Lord's servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, 25 correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth, 26 and they may escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will.

3.             Some possible actions

                A.            Matthew 18 (especially verses 15-20)

                                Speak to brother privately. with 2 more brothers. with church. put                out of church                                        membership and evangelize.

                B.            1 Corinthians 5:1-5, 11-13 WITH 2 Corinthians 2:4-8

                                Public rebuke

                C.            Galatians 6:1-3

                                Gentle restoration

                D.            2 Thessalonians 3:13-15

                                Avoid the openly disobedient

                E.             Jude 22

                                Mercy to the doubting

                F.             Titus 3:9-11

                                Reject factious after two warnings

                G.            1 Thessalonians 5:14-15

                                Properly diagnose: unruly, fainthearted or weak?

                H.            Romans 14:20 - 15:3

                                Bear the weaker brother (unless he is sinning against stronger in his weakness 14:3-10)