Matthew 18:15-17
15 “If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. 16 But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every charge may be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses. 17 If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. And if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector.
No one wants to be confronted about their sin, but sometimes it is the most loving thing to do. The underlying assumption of this passage is that we should not just ignore sin. But Jesus also makes it clear that the goal is to help the perpetrator face his sin and thus receive healing: "if he listens to you, you have gained your brother" (verse 15). It is a sign of compassion that the sin should ideally be dealt with in private; it is only when someone refuses to repent that the church is made aware of the issue. This is an important safeguard to keep in mind, particularly when confronting sexual sin. The goal is not to spread gossip or to attach labels to people, but for them to confess their sin and repent.
Lord, give us grace and wisdom as we lovingly confront sin in others.
15 “If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. 16 But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every charge may be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses. 17 If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. And if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector.
No one wants to be confronted about their sin, but sometimes it is the most loving thing to do. The underlying assumption of this passage is that we should not just ignore sin. But Jesus also makes it clear that the goal is to help the perpetrator face his sin and thus receive healing: "if he listens to you, you have gained your brother" (verse 15). It is a sign of compassion that the sin should ideally be dealt with in private; it is only when someone refuses to repent that the church is made aware of the issue. This is an important safeguard to keep in mind, particularly when confronting sexual sin. The goal is not to spread gossip or to attach labels to people, but for them to confess their sin and repent.
Lord, give us grace and wisdom as we lovingly confront sin in others.