Keep Watch on Yourself

[Christsfreeservant]

“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. Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. For if anyone thinks he is something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself. But let each one test his own work, and then his reason to boast will be in himself alone and not in his neighbor. For each will have to bear his own load.” (Galatians 6:1-5 ESV)​

There seem to be multiple suggestions of what this word “caught” literally means, but the context bears it out, I believe. This is speaking of someone literally caught in sin, overtaken by sin, engulfed, stricken, and consumed by sin. This is not someone who sinned once and immediately repented and got back on board and continued in his walk of obedience to the Lord. This is speaking of someone immersed in sin who feels trapped with no way out.

If we are aware of a brother or a sister in Christ who has gotten himself or herself in this condition, then we who are following our Lord in walks of obedience and in surrender to his will and in holy living are to restore such a one back to a walk of faith and obedience and surrender to the Lord. But I would suggest that this should be male with male and female with female unless the issue is homosexuality and the helper is vulnerable in that area.

And this word “restore” is not just about forgiving the person of his sin. This is about bringing the person back into proper working condition, according to the teachings of the Scriptures and the holiness and righteousness of God. And the process can be painful for both the sinner and the one attempting to restore the sinner back into fellowship with God and in obedience to his commands in holy living. For the addicted don’t usually give up easily.

And this spirit of “gentleness” is not weakness. It is not wishy-washy and undecided and undetermined, which is more concerned about the feelings of the one caught in sin than in the sinner being restored to an obedient walk of faith and in holy living. We help no one if we are not honest and direct, but if we “beat around the bush” so we don’t hurt others’ feelings. Now we should be kind and compassionate, but we must tell the sinner the truth.

But we must also be fully aware of our own vulnerabilities and not see ourselves as superior and as though we could not fall. For pride comes before a fall. So we need to, in the process of helping others, keep a close check on our own thinking, attitudes, and vulnerabilities. So we must guard our own hearts and minds and eyes from being tempted to fall back into sin, for our own sake, and for the sake of the one we are trying to help.

So when this says here that we are to bear one another’s burdens, this is not talking about remaining silent and watching a brother or a sister in Christ destroy himself or herself. This is not about tolerating and ignoring the destructive nature of sin in the lives of those who profess the name of Jesus so that we don’t hurt their feelings, or so that they don’t reject us. We have to care more about people being released from slavery (addiction) to sin than about how we might be regarded and treated by them, in return.

But, again, we must always remain cognizant of our own feelings and thinking and words and actions, and be watchful that we don’t fall into temptation to sin, feeling as though we can’t possibly fall, too. I know very well my own vulnerabilities and so I guard against anything that might be a temptation to me. And if I am missing something, I pray that the Lord would reveal it to me so that I do not wander in the wrong direction, too.

[Matt 7:13-14,21-23; Lu 9:23-26; Jn 10:27-30; Ac 26:18; Rom 2:6-8; Rom 6:1-23; Rom 8:1-14; Rom 12:1-2; 1 Co 6:9-10,19-20; 1 Co 10:1-22; 2 Co 5:10,15,21; Gal 5:16-24; Gal 6:7-8; Eph 2:8-10; Eph 4:17-32; Eph 5:3-6; Col 1:21-23; Col 3:1-17; Tit 2:11-14; Heb 3:1-19; Heb 4:1-13; Heb 10:23-31; Heb 12:1-2; 1 Pet 2:24; 1 Jn 1:5-10; 1 Jn 2:3-6,15-17; 1 Jn 3:4-10]

Just a Closer Walk with Thee

Hymn lyrics by Anonymous/Unknown
Music by American Melody

“For indeed He was crucified because of weakness, yet He lives because of the power of God. For we also are weak in Him, yet we will live with Him because of the power of God directed toward you” (2 Co. 13:4 NASB).

I am weak, but Thou art strong;
Jesus, keep me from all wrong;
I’ll be satisfied as long
As I walk, let me walk close to Thee.

Through this world of toil and snares,
If I falter, Lord, who cares?
Who with me my burden shares?
None but Thee, dear Lord, none but Thee.

When my feeble life is o’er,
Time for me will be no more;
Guide me gently, safely o’er
To Thy kingdom shore, to Thy shore.

Just a closer walk with Thee,
Grant it, Jesus, is my plea,
Daily walking close to Thee,
Let it be, dear Lord, let it be.

Caution: This link may contain ads

An Original Work / January 21, 2025
Christ’s Free Servant, Sue J Love

 

[Joseph G]

“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. Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. For if anyone thinks he is something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself. But let each one test his own work, and then his reason to boast will be in himself alone and not in his neighbor. For each will have to bear his own load.” (Galatians 6:1-5 ESV)​

There seem to be multiple suggestions of what this word “caught” literally means, but the context bears it out, I believe. This is speaking of someone literally caught in sin, overtaken by sin, engulfed, stricken, and consumed by sin. This is not someone who sinned once and immediately repented and got back on board and continued in his walk of obedience to the Lord. This is speaking of someone immersed in sin who feels trapped with no way out.

If we are aware of a brother or a sister in Christ who has gotten himself or herself in this condition, then we who are following our Lord in walks of obedience and in surrender to his will and in holy living are to restore such a one back to a walk of faith and obedience and surrender to the Lord. But I would suggest that this should be male with male and female with female unless the issue is homosexuality and the helper is vulnerable in that area.

And this word “restore” is not just about forgiving the person of his sin. This is about bringing the person back into proper working condition, according to the teachings of the Scriptures and the holiness and righteousness of God. And the process can be painful for both the sinner and the one attempting to restore the sinner back into fellowship with God and in obedience to his commands in holy living. For the addicted don’t usually give up easily.

And this spirit of “gentleness” is not weakness. It is not wishy-washy and undecided and undetermined, which is more concerned about the feelings of the one caught in sin than in the sinner being restored to an obedient walk of faith and in holy living. We help no one if we are not honest and direct, but if we “beat around the bush” so we don’t hurt others’ feelings. Now we should be kind and compassionate, but we must tell the sinner the truth.

But we must also be fully aware of our own vulnerabilities and not see ourselves as superior and as though we could not fall. For pride comes before a fall. So we need to, in the process of helping others, keep a close check on our own thinking, attitudes, and vulnerabilities. So we must guard our own hearts and minds and eyes from being tempted to fall back into sin, for our own sake, and for the sake of the one we are trying to help.

So when this says here that we are to bear one another’s burdens, this is not talking about remaining silent and watching a brother or a sister in Christ destroy himself or herself. This is not about tolerating and ignoring the destructive nature of sin in the lives of those who profess the name of Jesus so that we don’t hurt their feelings, or so that they don’t reject us. We have to care more about people being released from slavery (addiction) to sin than about how we might be regarded and treated by them, in return.

But, again, we must always remain cognizant of our own feelings and thinking and words and actions, and be watchful that we don’t fall into temptation to sin, feeling as though we can’t possibly fall, too. I know very well my own vulnerabilities and so I guard against anything that might be a temptation to me. And if I am missing something, I pray that the Lord would reveal it to me so that I do not wander in the wrong direction, too.

[Matt 7:13-14,21-23; Lu 9:23-26; Jn 10:27-30; Ac 26:18; Rom 2:6-8; Rom 6:1-23; Rom 8:1-14; Rom 12:1-2; 1 Co 6:9-10,19-20; 1 Co 10:1-22; 2 Co 5:10,15,21; Gal 5:16-24; Gal 6:7-8; Eph 2:8-10; Eph 4:17-32; Eph 5:3-6; Col 1:21-23; Col 3:1-17; Tit 2:11-14; Heb 3:1-19; Heb 4:1-13; Heb 10:23-31; Heb 12:1-2; 1 Pet 2:24; 1 Jn 1:5-10; 1 Jn 2:3-6,15-17; 1 Jn 3:4-10]

Just a Closer Walk with Thee

Hymn lyrics by Anonymous/Unknown
Music by American Melody

“For indeed He was crucified because of weakness, yet He lives because of the power of God. For we also are weak in Him, yet we will live with Him because of the power of God directed toward you” (2 Co. 13:4 NASB).

I am weak, but Thou art strong;
Jesus, keep me from all wrong;
I’ll be satisfied as long
As I walk, let me walk close to Thee.

Through this world of toil and snares,
If I falter, Lord, who cares?
Who with me my burden shares?
None but Thee, dear Lord, none but Thee.

When my feeble life is o’er,
Time for me will be no more;
Guide me gently, safely o’er
To Thy kingdom shore, to Thy shore.

Just a closer walk with Thee,
Grant it, Jesus, is my plea,
Daily walking close to Thee,
Let it be, dear Lord, let it be.

Caution: This link may contain ads

Excellent insight!

I've found that it is extremely helpful when moved to correct or rebuke a brother or sister (after muuuch prayer) to remind him or her that I am wide open to them to do the same with me - that I am in serious need of accountability and encouragement to battle my own weaknesses. And if they believe I have a plank in my eye, point it out!

You are right, though, it can be painful walking another out of serious sin - but the reward is great - freedom and a closer walk for them with the Lord (like the song!). I'm able to convey that hope along the way because it's been done for me and the friend who did so is only that much more dear to me because of it. As Scripture says:

Proverbs 27:6 NKJV

"Faithful are the wounds of a friend,
But the kisses of an enemy are deceitful."

God bless!

 

[Christsfreeservant]

Excellent insight!

I've found that it is extremely helpful when moved to correct or rebuke a brother or sister (after muuuch prayer) to remind him or her that I am wide open to them to do the same with me - that I am in serious need of accountability and encouragement to battle my own weaknesses. And if they believe I have a plank in my eye, point it out!

You are right, though, it can be painful walking another out of serious sin - but the reward is great - freedom and a closer walk for them with the Lord (like the song!). I'm able to convey that hope along the way because it's been done for me and the friend who did so is only that much more dear to me because of it. As Scripture says:

Proverbs 27:6 NKJV

"Faithful are the wounds of a friend,
But the kisses of an enemy are deceitful."

God bless!

Joseph, thank you for sharing these encouraging insights.