Scripture

Galatians 6:1 NIV

Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted.

Consider

The phrase “someone who is caught in a sin” is often interpreted to mean someone who has been discovered sinning. A second interpretation, however, implies someone who has been ensnared by sin and cannot free himself. Like a fly in a spider’s trap, this person is caught in a sticky web and needs help from others to disentangle himself.

It’s important to note that Paul speaks in this passage not to the sinner in question but to the community of believers. He says, in effect, “You who are spiritual—you who manifest the fruit of the Spirit in your daily lives—should help your brothers and sisters who have lost their way and bring them back to the right path. But do so gently, with humility and love. If you are not careful, you could be the next to fall victim to sin and need the help of others to overcome it.”

Although meant for the church, this principle works well in every relationship conflict we have. When people do evil against us, instead of labeling them as wicked, we can try to see them as souls precious to God who are caught in a sticky web of sin and deception. Perceiving them as wicked stirs up our anger and resentment, but viewing them as captives of the dark forces of this world will stir up our compassion and motivate us to help and pray for them.

Indeed, choosing this perspective is the same as taking on the mindset of Christ. He saw wicked behavior as the manifestation of a desperate soul caught in a web of evil. His response was to point out the wickedness but also to extend compassion to the soul who needed rescuing. His mission was to save and restore rather than to condemn and punish. As we live by the Spirit, this holy mission must become ours as well.

Pray

Redeeming Father, I am thankful that you are a God who desires restoration of an errant soul rather than his or her destruction. I offer myself to your holy work of restoration in my relationships. When someone insults or injures me, give me the discernment I need to see a hurting soul who needs grace rather than to see an enemy who deserves spiteful retaliation. Keep me close to you so that the mindset of Christ increasingly rules my actions.

Reflect

Philippians 2:3-5; James 5:19-20

Ponder

Which fruit of the Spirit listed in Galatians 5:22-23 can help me minister to someone who is caught in a web of sin?