Overtaken in Sin

In our constant battle against temptation, every morning we awake is another battle. Last night we prayed for forgiveness. This morning we prayed for another chance to ‘get it right’ in our fight against sin. Some days we make it longer than others without sin. Every day we fall in some way further from Christ rather than closer. We all need help, and we all need each other.

Brethren, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such there is no law.  And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.  If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit.  Let us have no self-conceit, no provoking of one another, no envy of one another.  Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness.  Look to yourself, lest you too be tempted.  Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.

Galatians 5:22-26;6:1-2

It isn’t a matter of IF we need each other. It is a matter of HOW we need each other. Beating each other up with their bible won’t change hearts. It only gives someone a headache. High pressure lectures don’t change hearts. They only serve others to ‘dig in’ to their convictions.

One of the most accurate accusations against the Church is from those who feel beaten by the Church. What is most ironic about this reality is that we beat each other as if we have no sin. So, let’s start there today. When you want to help others fight their sin, begin with your sin, “lest you too be tempted.”

Christ became one of us. He understands our temptations. He understands our weakness. In the same way we must help others by becoming one of them. That is as simple as acknowledging our sin and our weakness against temptation.

Of course, Christ didn’t sin, but He understands temptation. We sin. We not only understand temptation. We understand the grip it has on our will. We understand what it means to be “overtaken in any trespass.” That much we share with each other.

Like with any addiction, breaking the pattern of sin begins one step at a time. We know it about ourselves. Why don’t we know it when we speak to others? Christ is gentle with us, giving us chance after chance. Why do we expect others to stop their sin without second chances? We treat others like it is a ‘one strike and you’re out’ sort of thing.

If you really want to help someone ‘get out’ of their sin, try gentleness. Try walking with them rather than toward them. When Saint Paul commands us to “bear one another’s burdens,” he’s talking about gentleness and understanding.