Fellow Christians, how do you walk this fine line?

Question

I'm talking specifically about dealing with people in the church or other Christians in your life who repeatedly live in sin. How do you walk that line between judging them and discouraging their bad habits?
Nonbelievers are welcome to answer as well, but please give constructive answers.

Answer 1

There is a distinct difference between judging sin ("you're going to hell for that!!") and discerning sin ("brother, that behavior is not from God. Please, listen to me so you can see the need to repent.") We are to consistently seek to discern sin in our own lives and the lives of fellow believers for the spiritual safety of the Church.

Our guidelines for dealing with this situation are pretty simple: go to the sinning brother or sister in Christ, tell him or her what you've observed. If the person repents and turns back to God, rejoice. If the sinner refuses to listen, ask another believer to council that person. If the sinner still refuses to repent, the entire congregation, including the pastor, must get involved. For the spiritual safety of a congregation, an unrepentent sinner must be expelled from the church.

Scriptural references are as follows: Matthew 18:15-17; 1 Timothy 5:20-22; 2 Timothy 2:24-26; Titus 3:10-11; and 1 John 5:16-17.

Peace.

EDIT: I must say, I'm a little dismayed at the "hands off" answers many have given. Brothers and sisters, when God commands us to handle a situation in a certain way, He does this from His infinate wisdom. Who are we to say we'd feel uncomfortable because this process feels like we're judging the sinner? I believe it is an unloving act to say nothing when a fellow Christian is actively sinning.

Answer 2

First, you should not judge. Only God can judge. To those who are walking the 'fine line' between faith and sin, there is no easy answer. As a Christian, it is your job to pray for them, and to understand that Satan is at the heart of all sin. Talk with them about their actions, ask them how it makes them feel. If they feel remorse, there is hope for them. Then you can help them. But keep them in your prayers. I have many people in my life that claim they are firm believers, but they repeatedly sin. Not terrible sins, but such things like getting drunk, or cussing, or even verbally assaulting someone. It's hard. But when it happens, I simply remind them that what they are doing is against the Word of God. I read Proverbs weekly, just as a reminder for myself. And when I find a verse that identifies the sin, I read it aloud to my friend, or email it to them. Keep up spreading the word.

Answer 3

Wow, that's a sticky question. If you tell them what you think or know is right, there is always that chance that they're going to get offended. Sometimes the better way to handle it is just to live your life as an example. Show them that you're going to do right whether they do or not. What they see as being judgmental, even if you're not trying to be, will, in most cases, cause them to do the opposite just to spite a person. I have been in Christian service for many years now and I see this a lot, especially among my teen-aged students. Just remember that the best example is the living example. It is many times more influential than what we say. I hope this helps.

Answer 4

Well, saying they have a bad habit is judging. You have judged that what they are doing is bad. Now, condemning is different, but I don't see many actually doing that to other Christians. But I would think they would take the person with the bad habits aside and point out How what they are doing is bad... and Why. What is it doing to other people? And it should be something that is actually harmful to themselves and others... not just something another doesn't like.

Answer 5

We are all on this race to make it to the finish line. some of us are in the lead and others are way behind. It doesn't matter where we are on the travel since we are all going to the same finish line. WE look back and encourage others to keep going and not give up. We advise after much prayers if we are lead to do so. We encourage them to see the prize and keep their eyes fixed on this. If they continue to look at God then they will come to the right place in their thinking. So the answer is not to judge but guide back to the source for renewing in their thinking

Answer 6

Try leading by example rather than judging and condemning.
"Judge not lest ye be judged" and "Let he who is without sin cast the first stone" are great passages to live by. You are not here to judge another person, but to live as Christ instructed, by loving God with all your heart and loving your neighbour. By your actions, others who know you and choose to follow Christ will come to know the right way and leave behind their sinful ways. God gave us free will and plenty of opportunity to learn what is good and what is evil and although it is your responsibility to spread the Word, God does not expect you to be responsible for anothers spiritual decisions. He or she will have the opportunity to explain when Judgement comes. There is no "line" to walk. Your "journey or walk with Jesus" should mean treating each person you meet as you would want to be treated. Do not condone their sinful behaviour, but do accept that they are a child of God, as you are. Perhaps by reminding of that and that God always forgives, they will eventually mend their ways. If not, you will have the knowledge that at least you are one positive force in their life. Sometimes, that in itself, makes all the difference.

Answer 7

The Bible says for those who have wronged you (but this should work for all circumstances) !. Go to that Person. 2. If that didn't work, take 2 or 3 witnesses with you. 3. If that doesn't work, Go before the congregation. 4 If that didn't work, kick them out. This can be tough, but you don't want the leaven infecting everyone.
None of us are without sin. But we are to keep each other accountable. As can be seen in 2 Corinth. that the man repented and was accepted back.

Answer 8

I think the old saying, "Hate the sin, not the sinner" goes a long way.

I had a friend in college who talked about the "Catholic Schoolgirl Syndrome." These were girls raised in private schools (not always Catholic) who had never had a chance to be "bad" growing up, who now lived on their own. He would start to date one of these girls, introduce her to parties where bad things happened, and watch the results. I told him that it really offended me when he talked about it. I didn't like that he did that. He knew I didn't like it, he knew why.

But I recognized this persons strong traits as well. He was very inteligent, driven, and carefree. He worked hard at school and got good grades, and he had a lot of fun. He didn't do drugs, drank very little, ate healthy, etc. He knew where I stood on his dealings with these girls. I like to think since he couldn't brag about it arround me, he did it a little less than he would have. Maybe I'm deluding myself, but that's how I handle it.

Answer 9

As in all things, I look to the bible for instruction. It says, if a brother be overtaken in a sin, restore them in all humility, taking care lest you also fall. First of all, I would pray for that person. If I was close enough to them and knew them well enough, I would attempt to talk with them in a loving way, of course speaking to them about what God's word says. If they will not listen, I would return to prayer and back off, allowing God to deal with the situation.

The bible also says that if a believer is sinning and will not repent, take two or three other believers with you to speak to them. That is a little over my head...I wouldn't want to "gang up" on a person. My personal feeling is that prayer is more powerful than anything else, if you have attempted to talk with them and they will not hear.

Answer 10

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