Wouldn’t it be great if there were a TV show that document people confronting their family and friends with issues they believe are detrimental to their future?

A TV show like that would provide several good things: first and foremost, it would, hopefully, bring about a change in the life of the person who is being confronted. Second, it would bring issues to the forefront that are ruining peoples lives. What I mean is that it would help initiate a conversation about the specific issue. A third good thing would be that it would encourage other people to confront their family and friends with issues that are detrimental to their future by showing them ways to do it that are not aggressive or judgmental.

There is a TV show out there like that. It is called Intervention.

Intervention is the word we use to describe the act of addressing someone’s detrimental habit. Most people, when they think about an intervention, are first concerned about the person who has the bad habit, and then, are supportive of those who are intervening, even to the point of admiring their courage for speaking up. All an intervention is really doing is saying, “I love you too much to let this thing destroy your life.”

This is all fine, as long as you don’t call the detrimental habit a sin. If you do, well then, you’ve just crossed the line.

Society doesn’t mind an intervention. They are willing to trade an uncomfortable conversation for what they hope would be life change. But that same society seems to have a real issue when addressing sin in people’s lives. The moment you call the habit a sin, get ready to reap the firestorm that will come.

Isn’t it amazing how you can have one action and call it one thing and it is offensive and archaic, but call the same thing by a new word, and everything seems okay? James 1:8 tells us that a double minded man is unstable in all his ways.

So then, what is the real problem?
The real problem is that rebellion will always despise correction. Sin, boiled down to the basics, is simply rebellion against God. Unfortunately, since Adam and Eve, this is been part of our DNA as humans. I have written before about rebellion, quoting the verse in Proverbs 22:15 that says rebellion is driven away by the rod of discipline. There isn’t a parent out there worth their weight in salt that would not discipline their child when they were doing wrong, even if they disagreed on what type of discipline that should be. As a parent, when we see our children doing something that isn’t beneficial for them, we correct them. It is basically an intervention.

Galatians 6:1 tells us, “Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. (ESV)

This is my second favorite verse in the entire Bible, and from this verse, there are many things we could learn, but I’d like to share with you four things that have really changed how I view people who are engaging in what the Bible calls sin.

1. We have a responsibility to intervene when we see someone caught in sin.
For some reason there is this idea that you aren’t allowed to confront sin as we engage others. It may be that it comes from the idea of not wanting to make the person you’re talking to uncomfortable, avoiding at all costs anything that looks like judgement. But that isn’t 100% biblical. Granted, we are told not to judge, and I agree, but Jesus was quick to address sin, using various techniques, and even different levels of emphasis. Matthew 18, Luke 17, Galatians 6, James 5 are all chapters where confronting sin is not simply recommended, but is a responsibility.

I think the fear of confronting sin in our culture doesn’t stem from upsetting who your confronting, rather from a fear of what people will think about you and what reprisal you may receive from identifying sin. Consider Phil Robertson. He stated an opinion and reaped the whirlwind. Let’s face it, sin doesn’t like being called out.

God wants us to confront sin, but we can’t fear man more than we fear God. Would you let you child run into the busy street, or would you do anything possible to stop them? That’s a life or death situation. So is sin in people’s lives.

It is important to confront sin, but how you do it is pretty important too, which leads to number two.

2. We have a responsibility to be gentle when we intervene.
Galatians 6:1 tells us, “You who are spiritual…” This statement carries a lot of meaning. You who are godly, who are of the Spirit, and a way I read it, you who are mature in your faith. Immature people tattle and attack, but maturity helps you see the bigger picture, the better road, and the outcomes of actions. Proverbs 15:1 says, “A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.” (ESV) Who wants to get blasted for something they’re doing wrong? Remember, in our own relationship with God, it is his kindness that leads us to repentance (Rom 2:4).

Confronting sin is tough on both sides and it is going to create an uncomfortable situation, but you who are spiritual have the faith and maturity to approach that situation with kindness and gentleness because the outcome is what is important. A mature person knows how to listen to the Holy Spirit as they interact with people. Mature people also know number three:

3. The end result shouldn’t be rightness or wrongness, but restoration.
If all you care about is who is right and who is wrong, then you aren’t spiritually mature enough to lead someone to restoration. Anytime you confront sin, restoring them has to be the purpose. Telling them outright that they’re wrong only encourages frustration and anger.

That seems counter to what I’m saying about confronting sin. You have to tell them they’re wrong, right? Kind of. Let the Scripture do that. If you tell me I’m wrong, that’s one thing, but if you show me where the Bible addresses my sin, then you become the messenger.

Restoration has as much to do with your heart as it does theirs. And speaking of your heart, number four.

4. Keeping watch that you don’t fall into the same sin helps you stay clear of that sin, but it also brings compassion for the one you’re trying to restore.
Matthew 9, 14, & 20, the Bible tells us Jesus had compassion for individuals, crowds, multitudes, etc. Each time the text said that, what followed was healing, deliverance, the meeting of needs. In 15 years of ministry, one thing I’ve learned is that you can’t help anyone without compassion for them. The last part of Galatians 6:1 helps us not only stay pure ourselves, but helps us open our eyes to what walking a mile in their shoes would feel like. Compassion in your heart is always the first step to leading someone away from sin and into restoration.

I firmly believe that the two biggest issues with confronting sin in people’s lives today revolve around fear of confrontation and the way in which we confront. It is important to love, to comfort, to be gentle, and yes, to confront sin. My prayer for myself and you as well is that we would be able to help restore those caught in sin in a way that produces godliness and wholeness, never forgetting this passage found in James 5:19-20:

My brothers, if anyone among you wanders from the truth and someone brings him back, let him know that whoever brings back a sinner from his wandering will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins (ESV).

Be blessed,
J