Warning Others about Sin
One of the least pleasant things we do as Christians is to warn others about sin, but it is absolutely necessary. We are like watchmen on the wall of a city, so that it is our job to warn about the approach of enemies.(Ezekiel 3:17) Satan, the flesh, and the world are the enemies of us all. When we see sin, we know that the enemy is attacking already. It should be our aim to warn the believers and the unbelievers about sin and its devastating effects on our lives, so that they will not be defeated by an enemy.
Often, Christians are abrasive when we warn others. There is no need to be harsh. Yes, we must speak the truth and speak it as plainly as needed in that situation. However, we are admonished to "speak the truth in love." We warn people, so they can be delivered, not destroyed. The sad thing is that Satan makes people feel guilty about their sin, so that they become defensive and hard. They do not want to listen to our warning. We must not let that stop us, just like God told Ezekiel. If we fail to warn them, some of the responsibility for their defeat rests on us. I am not sure how God will do this, but I know He is serious about this. It is our responsibility, so we bear part of the blame if a warning is not issued.
I pray that we all will be on the lookout for precious believers, who do not see the enemy approaching in their lives. I pray that we will warn them with sensitivity and love, so that their lives will not be rendered useless for the Lord. I pray that we will all have such a compassion for those who don't know the Lord yet, that we will love them enough to warn them of sin and point them to the Savior, and away from the enemy. This is the least we can do to help. We can't force them to take action, but we must warn them.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Ezekiel 5-7.
Often, Christians are abrasive when we warn others. There is no need to be harsh. Yes, we must speak the truth and speak it as plainly as needed in that situation. However, we are admonished to "speak the truth in love." We warn people, so they can be delivered, not destroyed. The sad thing is that Satan makes people feel guilty about their sin, so that they become defensive and hard. They do not want to listen to our warning. We must not let that stop us, just like God told Ezekiel. If we fail to warn them, some of the responsibility for their defeat rests on us. I am not sure how God will do this, but I know He is serious about this. It is our responsibility, so we bear part of the blame if a warning is not issued.
I pray that we all will be on the lookout for precious believers, who do not see the enemy approaching in their lives. I pray that we will warn them with sensitivity and love, so that their lives will not be rendered useless for the Lord. I pray that we will all have such a compassion for those who don't know the Lord yet, that we will love them enough to warn them of sin and point them to the Savior, and away from the enemy. This is the least we can do to help. We can't force them to take action, but we must warn them.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Ezekiel 5-7.