“Life in the Spirit should never cause us to put our guard down or give up the daily fight against sin.”
Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today – October 14, 2023
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. Galatians 6:1, NIV
Whenever you hear a story of someone who is caught in a lifestyle of sin, what is our first response? Not the response that we say out loud, mind you. No, the one that forms deep within our hearts. Out loud and to others, we might say something like, “I’m so sorry to hear it,” or “That breaks my heart.” And while these sentiments may be true, we might also be tempted to say, “That would never happen to me,” or, “You’d never catch me doing that!”
In Galatians 6, St. Paul offers a strong word of caution to those who seek to help someone else who is caught in sin. “Watch yourselves,” he says, “or you also may be tempted.” As we reflect upon this word of fatherly guidance, note that he isn’t speaking to new converts who’ve recently left a life of brokenness or rebellion against God. Neither is he calling out people who already struggle with this particular temptation. No, he is addressing leaders and mature believers within the Christian community, those “who live by the Spirit.”
It is possible to live by the Spirit and still fall into a life of sin. To believe otherwise is to accept delusion as reality. In truth, one of the deadliest lies you can believe is that you will someday reach a point of spiritual maturity in which you are immune from the temptations of this world.
Instead, the wisest and most mature among us are deeply aware of the sinful nature that clings to them and therefore are all the more vigilant in keeping watch on their desires and actions. Life in the Spirit should never cause us to put our guard down or give up the daily fight against sin. We strive for holiness until our final breath.
That said, this guarded way of living does not mean we close ourselves off from the pain and brokenness that surrounds us! Paul tells us to watch ourselves, yet also expects that we will enter into places of chaos in order to extend the peace and healing grace of the Lord to those who need it. We watch ourselves and keep ourselves from sin precisely because Jesus invites us to join him as agents of healing in a sinful and broken world.
Prayer
Father, lead us in holiness, even as we seek to serve others and be agents of your healing in this world, we pray through Christ our Lord.
Application
Consider how the Lord might be inviting you to gently love someone in need of healing and grace.
Related Reading
Psalm 141:5; Romans 15:1-2; James 5:19-20
Worship Resource
Worship Central NZ: O Lord We Seek Your Face
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