Is There Need to Confront Sin in the Church?

I have seen recently among God’s people a division over what to do when a brother or sister is involved with outright public sin and justifying themselves in it. On one hand, there is the judge not lest ye be judged camp, and in the other camp, those who feel it is a duty to confront sin in the church head-on. Strong emotions run on both sides. Could it be the pendulum has swung too far to the other side in correction of legalism that correction in the church has become unfashionable? The questions I will ask and attempt to answer in this writing are, “Is there need to confront sin in the church and, if so, how should it be done?”

The apostolic writings encourage the confrontation of sin in the church in their content and instruction.
Let’s look at several verses using the word ‘admonish’ and define its meaning.

Rom 15:14  And I myself also am persuaded of you, my brethren, that ye also are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish one another.

1Th 5:11-15  Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.  (12)  And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you;  (13)  And to esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake. And be at peace among yourselves.  (14)  Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men.  (15)  See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men.

2Th 3:14-15  And if any man obey not our word by this epistle, note that man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed.  (15)  Yet count him not as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother.

In the three verses above, the word admonish is the Greek “noutheteō”, meaning “to put in mind, that is, (by implication) to caution or reprove gently: - admonish, warn.” (Strong’s G3560) In Romans 15:14 and 2 Thessalonians 3:15, the act of admonishing seems to be a work within the body, whereas in 1 Thessalonians 5:12 the reference is in the context of leadership; them which labor among you. But notice also that in verse 14, Paul exhorts the brethren to warn them that are unruly.

Next, let’s look at the word ‘exhort’ in several scriptures where it applies to our subject of confronting sin.

1Th 5:14  Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men.

2Ti 4:2-5  Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.  (3)  For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;  (4)  And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.  (5)  But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.

Tit 1:7-11  For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not selfwilled, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre;  (8)  But a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate;  (9)  Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.  (10)  For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the circumcision:  (11)  Whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre's sake.

Tit 2:11-15  For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,  (12)  Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;  (13)  Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;  (14)  Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.  (15)  These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee.

The word exhort is the Greek “parakaleō”, which is “to call near, that is, invite, invoke (by imploration, hortation or consolation): - beseech, call for, (be of good) comfort, desire, (give) exhort (-ation), intreat, pray.” (Strong’s G3870) We notice here a higher degree of intensity than admonish, almost a plea. Now we see Paul exhorting, in content, the brethren in 1 Thessalonians 5:14. In 2 Timothy and Titus we see Paul giving instruction in these Pastoral Epistles.

In 2 Timothy 4:2-5, the words reprove, rebuke and exhort are used in the context of preaching the word.  In the examples in Titus, exhort is again used in the context of speaking forth, both as a qualification for bishop and also as a personal admonition from Paul to Titus. And for what is the exhortation expected? For the unruly, those who will not endure sound doctrine and turn their ears away from the truth, unruly vain talkers and deceivers, and those who oppose living soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world.

Let’s move on to another verse using the word ‘reprove.’

 Eph 5:1-13  Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children;  (2)  And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.  (3)  But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints;  (4)  Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks.  (5)  For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.  (6)  Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.  (7)  Be not ye therefore partakers with them.  (8)  For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light:  (9)  (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;)  (10)  Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord.  (11)  And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.  (12)  For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret.  (13)  But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever doth make manifest is light.

 Notice Paul says here not to be partakers with those in sin; do not sin with them, and have no fellowship with their unfruitful works, but rather reprove. Reprove here is the Greek “elegchō”, that is to “to confute, admonish: - convict, convince, tell a fault, rebuke, reprove.” Here we see even stronger language than exhort. Notice again, this is in the context of body ministry. In an associated example, we read that all scripture is inspired by God and useful for reproof, correction, and instruction.

2Ti 3:16  All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

So we see here than scripture is not only the impetus for reproof, but also the instrument by which it is to be done.

We now turn to the word ‘rebuke.”

Luk 17:1-4  Then said he unto the disciples, It is impossible but that offences will come: but woe unto him, through whom they come!  (2)  It were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he cast into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones.  (3)  Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him.  (4)  And if he trespass against thee seven times in a day, and seven times in a day turn again to thee, saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive him.

Here, as in the previous examples in 2 Timothy and Titus, the word rebuke is “epitimaō”, “to tax upon, that is, censure or admonish; by implication forbid: - (straitly) charge, rebuke.” (Strong’s G2008) In this example from Luke, the Lord is instructing His disciples concerning interpersonal relationships among themselves. The word trespass here is rendered sin. The pastoral examples, as we have already seen, had to do with proclaiming the truth. Again we see in the language an escalation in severity, having come in our discussion of confronting sin in the church from a gentle caution to a censure or forbidding.

Note that in none of these examples is the word ‘judge’ used. In most all instances in the New Testament, and in particular the “judge not” of  Matthew 7:1, judge is the Greek “krinō”, that is to “distinguish, that is, decide (mentally or judicially); by implication to try, condemn, punish: - avenge, conclude, condemn, damn, decree, determine, esteem, judge, go to (sue at the) law, ordain, call in question, sentence to, think.” (Strong’s G2919) So, to admonish, exhort, reprove, and rebuke is not the same as judging, so the ‘judge not’ does not apply to any of these actions. And there is never an option given to ignore sin in the church either.

Now that we’ve established a precedent for the need to confront sin in the church, let us look at the same verses to see if they give a clue as to how it is to be done. First of all, when we admonish, we are to be full of goodness, filled with all knowledge. This has to do with active goodness and kindness, charity and virtue, knowing this is good. We are to act with comfort, support, and patience. That is, encourage, build up, and console the fainthearted, hold fast to the sickly, and be forbearing and longsuffering with all. We are to admonish our brother as a brother, not an enemy.

We are to exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine, that is with patience we are to instruct from the Word, watching that those we teach endure sound teaching. Holding fast ourselves the Word that has been taught us, we are to speak with the authority inherent within the Word.

We are to reprove as children of God, walking in love as Christ has loved us, keeping ourselves free of the entanglements of sin.

We are to rebuke with the hope of repentance and forgiveness with forbearance.

Jesus, in His teaching, also gave a procedure for dealing with the offence of a brother’s sin. It is perhaps the most neglected passage in the Bible when it comes to church discipline.

Mat 18:15-17  Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother.  (16)  But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.  (17)  And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.

We see here that Jesus lays out progressive layers of communication and interaction with the offender with the desired effect being repentance and restoration of the relationship. The final step, if that fails, is to have no fellowship with them, as stated before in Ephesians 5.  Love for the person in sin must be the motivation for whatever level of confrontation we employ. If we are to follow Jesus in this, we must take to heart what Jesus said about it. The Lord makes a statement in Revelation regarding His love for us, which includes rebuke and instruction: Rev 3:19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.

Lord, Teach Us To Pray

By Janice Bowman

I believe now more than ever in the history of the church that we, like the first 12 apostles, should be feeling within ourselves a great urgency to ask our Lord to teach us to pray. Like other watchmen who are the minority on the subject of judgment from God coming to the people of God first and not to those outside of the church, I am feeling more and more pressed by the Holy Spirit to say, “ Wake up foolish, sleeping virgins, for the bride groom comes and you are not making yourselves ready.” I know that God has a small remnant among His people who are listening to what the Spirit is saying to the churches, although many of God’s people are sleeping and see no need for God to send judgment among His people.

Here in America, the majority of our churches have experienced much freedom to worship without persecution.  Is this because God is so pleased with us or because we have been so lukewarm and ineffective in our witness as to draw persecution to us?  Could it be, as the apostle Paul characterized it in his day, that we have not yet striven against sin unto blood? In other words, have we saved our lives and compromised the truth in order to have the kind of life style we now have? Have we been so careful to not say or do anything that would make people angry with us to the point they want to shut us up or do us harm? Have we done what we consider the “reasonable” sacrifice of Romans 12:1 but neglected the unreasonable sacrifice that the message of the cross actually calls us to?

Our freedom of religion is not necessarily God’s stamp of approval on us, but more likely a time of grace to judge ourselves, lest we be judged. We as a nation are increasingly seeing the noose tightened around our necks, but many in the church are as oblivious to it as the inhabitants of Jerusalem were as their destroyers surrounded the city. A majority of the prayer rooms in churches are devoid of those who weep and travail at the altar, crying out to God to turn His people back to Him because they don’t feel we’ve turned away from Him. It is one thing to be in the very dangerous position of backsliding, but it is even more dangerous to be in denial of it. A full lamp of oil, without the prudence to bring more oil, is not going to get us through the trying times that are upon us.

The ministry of intercession has all but become extinct in the church.  Where are those who will actually allow the Holy Spirit to seize them that He might teach His people to pray with him rather than praying to him?  Prayer has become, for the most part, an exercise in telling God what we want rather than allowing Him to put us under the burden of what He wants. I am convinced that most people who will allow the Spirit to weep and travail in them and through them would be told they are disturbing the prayer meeting with this sort of strange unreasonable behavior. Most who engage this sort of intercession do it alone at home because much of the church sees this kind of praying as a real embarrassment. They would probably be asked not to come again or some may even be accused of having demons.  Much of the church has no clue about this kind of praying because there is little or no teaching on it. I personally have never been taught in any church about intercessory prayer. I can only equate this to a lack of attention to the Holy Spirit’s agenda. The church is where prayer should be taught and ministries of this kind of intercession should be honored and promoted, not relegated to a back room where the congregation is shielded from the sight and sound of true intercessory travail.

There is a lot of holy laughter in the church today and I certainly will not criticize holy laughter and the joy of the Lord coming on His people.  But oh, how sad, ignorant, and neglectful we have become to not see the many hours others prayed their hearts out; wept, cried, and travailed in much pain alone in secret places, so those who never laughed may be able to do so. There are generals of intercession the church has never seen, honored, or acknowledged as an important joint that supplies. Those that reap in joy are often the products of those who sow in tears. In much prayer they plowed up the stony and hard ground that was once the heart of many. They weeded the spiritual garden, dying out to self in their private prayer closets, so others could experience the harvest.  These are not people who say a few short prayers and are done with it. These are people who are seasoned generals in a ministry of intercession for the church and the world. They are watchmen on the walls and the church cannot afford not to listen when God shows the hidden things in tough places of prayer. Many of them are prophets who, like Moses, plead with God not to destroy a rebellious people. Like Moses, they plead for our very lives and change God’s mind, reminding God of His faithfulness.

We need to know those who labor among us as true intercessors.  Faithfull intercessors are a lot more than little old ladies who don’t do anything but pray. I suggest that if you ever have the rare privilege of being around an old person whom you hear weeping and praying their hearts out, you skip all the seminary classes that teach you about prayer and hunker down next to one of these seasoned old souls and learn from them.  They will teach you far beyond any seminary class on how to pray.

When I was a very young girl, I watched my grandmother retreat to her bedroom everyday to pray. Often, when I was supposed to be napping, I would sit outside her bedroom door in wonderment. As I listened, sometimes for hours, I often heard many different languages come out of her. I would hear her weeping for others and knew that something was going to get done. I didn’t know what, but I knew something, in some situation, was going to get confronted because Grandma was on the job.  And then many times she would be at it again at night.

One time my mother got into a very serious car accident.  She was hit from the front and then from the back by two speeding cars and she was smashed like a pancake. Upon arrival at the hospital, she was thought to be dead. But grandma told us she would intercede for our mom, because she couldn’t die and leave us orphans.  I will never forget the way grandma sounded that night and well into the next morning in that prayer room of hers. I have no words to describe that kind of praying, but that day we got a phone call telling us my mother was going to live and not die. My mother was on the operating table and heard the doctors saying there was no use in continuing with treatment, as it was too late. As the story goes, mom suddenly sat up straight and told the doctors they better put her back together because she had four children waiting for her at home.  So the chief doctor said, “You heard the lady!” I have no doubt my grandmother’s prayers raised my mother from the dead.

I knew my grandmother held a key and as a girl I called it a key into God’s heart.  Today I call it warrior intercession. I learned at the feet of a little old grandmother and learned more about intercession than any school could ever teach me about it. I listened to it every day as a child and saw what it could do and when I got older God sealed me as an intercessor also. I also had the great privilege of sitting behind a man of God who often prayed up to 6 and 8 hours a day.  Sometimes he would come down off the mountain he was on literally glowing with the presence of God permeating from him. Many times, when opportunity presented itself, I got right behind him while he was praying. I once prayed with him for 4 hours. But he was still in deep intercession 4 hours later. I was amazed to say the least.

How many things are accomplished during these kinds of intercessions, we will never know on this side of glory. But people have been translated in the Spirit to different locations to do ministry during such intense times of prayer. There is a whole different world opened to us when we are in serious pursuit of the presence of God. Now I am not saying that we can accomplish this in our flesh. These kinds of marathon intercession encounters come along with maturity and not by fleshly striving. We must not learn methods but learn hunger, and that hunger then become the rule by which we seek our Lord’s presence.  Time ceases to exist for us while we are in this realm of the Spirit, because this realm has no space and time.  I was in intercession at The Station Prayer Chapel recently for two and a half hours but I thought I had been with the Lord in prayer for only twenty minutes. Sometimes I know what is accomplished in prayer and sometimes I don’t. But, I know that if I’ve spent the time to discern His heart and pray with Him concerning a matter, all things are for the good.