Fellow Christians, is this a sin? How would you have handled this?

Question

Fellow Christians,
I live in an apt. complex. There is a woman who is NOT allowed on property. She is wanted for a felony and she has committed crimes on property. I do not have anything against her personally, but I do not trust her. She came over to my apt. this morning to use the phone. I let her in and she stayed about an hour. I did not like her being here, but felt scared to not let her in. I don't know why. Anyway, after she left I called the managers office to make sure that she was, indeed, not allowed on property and they confirmed it. Then I reported to them that she had been on property and had came to my apt. And they gave me the name and number of who to call next time I see her. They assured me that my name would not be disclosed. I feel bad now, like I committed a sin. I did not report her out of vindictiveness or spite. I did it, because I do not feel safe with these people that are not allowed on the property, still hanging out over here. Plus, I know

how very vindictive she is and once someone does something against her, she tries to fight them, destroy their property, and do anything else to get them back. Now I am kinda scared. Not only of her, but scared that I committed a sin. Is that stupid? Please tell me how you would handle a situation like this.

Answer 1

It's possible you're transferring your fear of the situation to a fear of having sinned. You may have reason to be afraid, but not afraid of sinning.

The feeling you're feeling may also be a concern that you violated her trust in some way -- she came over, and when she left, you reported her. This wasn't your fault, this is a situation she created, not you. So, there's no 'sin' going on.

The bigger question is why are you living in an apartment complex where someone is banned -- with a felon who knows you well enough to stay in your apartment for an hour. This sounds like a dangerous situation, not a sinful situation.

If she's wanted for a felon, you may be criminally guilty of aiding a fugitive, of harboring a felon, or other serious crime.

You may seriously want to consider moving to a little better neighborhood.

Perhaps someone at church can let you know about a better place to live.

But remember, God is with you.

Answer 2

If you know she isn't allowed on the property, you shouldn't have let her into your apartment so yes, that is breaking the laws of the land which would make that a sin. Pray and ask for forgiveness and don't repeat the action and let it go :)

Plus, by inviting her in, you have given her reason to come back to you to do it again. If she destroys property, she might also physically hurt you and you could easily become a target in your home if she decides she wants to steal something from you.

Calling the management was not a sin because if you know she isn't allowed there, they need to know she is breaking the law yet again. You are obeying the laws of the land, which we are commanded to do, by reporting a crime of any kind so don't carry guilt over that.

If you don't have a peephole on your door, have the management or a friend/family member install one and make sure you have a deadbolt lock on your door, too, and use it ALL the time whether you are home or not. Peepholes aren't that expensive and that way you can see who is on the other side of the door. Be sure you don't have any bright lights inside when you go to the peephole or they will know someone came to the door because they can see a movement when the light is blocked when you look out.

Keep a can of mace or a handheld siren in your hand when you come and go and if you are very uncomfortable over all this, might be a good idea to move to another apartment complex when you can.

Good luck and be careful

Answer 3

You shouldn't feel like you've sinned because you haven't. This woman is not allowed on the property because of her own actions, not because of anything you did. You simply helped her by letting her use your phone, but that was not a sin either. The next time she knocks on your door, dont let her in. You don't have to let her into your house for any reason, and that is not being un-christlike, especially if you don't trust her, and she has a history of destroying property. If she wont leave, call the police. You don't have to be involved in her tresspassing crimes.

Plus I might add that God has not given you a spirit of fear, but one of power, of love and of a sound mind. Every power that you possess is greater than any power of the enemy. I hope this has helped you.

Answer 4

I don't believe that it is a sin to protect yourself lawfully and to look out for other innocent people around you (other people at the apt. complex.) I don't think I would've let her in to begin with. That said, it never hurts to pray for people and help them if you can do so safely. If I were you, I would pray hard for God's guidance for opportunities to minister to her & others around you, and also for guidance on where He wants you to live--if that complex is not safe, He may have somewhere else He wants you & this could be one way He is leading you in another direction. You sound like you have a very compassionate heart for others. Be aware that those who aren't believers and/or aren't walking with Christ may try to take advantage of Christians for their own gain. Jesus advised his disciples to be "harmless as doves, but wise as serpents" and gave them instructions for letting the Holy Spirit lead them in difficult and dangerous situations. (Read the text referenced below.) Pray to be sure that the feeling you have is really guilt that requires forgiveness, or just the devil trying to scare and confuse you in this uneasy situation. If you are still not sure, keep seeking the counsel of spiritual advisors that you trust (not necessrily anyone that might reply to this post anonymously on the internet!) Hope that helps & God bless you! I think you did the right thing.

Answer 5

Melancholy,
Do NOT feel bad that you did this. You were following up for the property owner's benefit as well as your own. You did nothing to hurt her in fact what you did may keep her from breaking another law which is a good thing. I would not consider such an act to be sinful in any way. Pray that GOD will keep her away from the property so that you will not be forced to turn her in again. Have a great week.
Thanks,
Eds


.

Answer 6

You have committed no sin. Not even an error. You let her use the phone, and at the same time you need to protect yourself, too. This is fine. For now, you just have to be careful and discrete. You might want to get some pepper spray, double check the effectiveness of your locks, and try to steer clear of these "people" who are vandalizing property and stealing from the residents.

Why don't you pray for them? Have your church pray for them, too?

I'm sorry you have to have this problem. But most of the time people like this aren't wanting to be helped; they only want what they want. It seems to me you are unable to help them, and they would take advantage of you if you drop your guard.

Be ever watchful and careful.

You're in my thoughts and prayers. ~ StudiousOne

Answer 7

Do the right thing. Ask God to reveal to you what that is and ask Him to give you the courage to act accordingly, without fear.

It is not your fault that this person is wanted for a felony. It is not your fault that this person has an anger problem that needs to be dealt with. It is her fault.

Have you ever stopped to think of what she may have been up to in coming to your apartment? Maybe she planted some incriminating evidence in your apartment that will make you look like the guilty person instead of her. Who did she call? Whose phone number is going to show up on your phone bill, looking like you called them? What if it is some other felon that she is known to run with, but she testifies that she was never in your apartment? Now it will look like you, she and whoever she called are in cahoots. Or, when she ends up in court, she may produce witnesses that testify truthfully that they saw her going into and coming out of your apartment. That will at least tie you to her. What a mess you may have created for yourself! It is best for you to set the record straight right now, than to wait until later and have to explain why you aided and abetted a known fugitive.

Confess your sins to God. He promises to forgive them and remember them no more.

Answer 8

You did not commit a sin. However, never let an unquestionable person into your apartment. If you know that someone is "wanted", call 911 when you see them.

People who are a harm to others, must be removed from society for our safety. Be cautious but not afraid of her. People who behave like that are usually cowards and are insecure. Notice how they act when the police arrive.

Many times when people are arrested for their disobedience, they have time to think about how messed up their lives are and then they are helped with ways to seek help.

Jesus has told us to visit those in prison. It is sometimes there that they will listen to Jesus' message of love for them. She used you in your home to disobey the law.

Answer 9

Our instincts are the best thing we have. Your first instinct was to not let her in and yet you did anyway. Although you are a Christian it is important to listen to your gut when it comes to your safety.

You did the right thing by reporting her. . .the right thing for you and the others who are in that apartment complex.

However, next time don't feel bad for listening to your gut, it is an animal instinct we have to warn us of danger. Many women who have been raped or kidnapped admit that they had an instinct to avoid the individual but did not want to seem mean or hateful and allowed the individual into their place. . .just something to think about.

Answer 10

Why would it be a sin? She is not allowed on the property and you are following the law in that regard. From what you've said she wasn't accused unfairly or wrongly judged. You did not commit a sin by reporting her.