TRUTH FOR THURSDAY

This week I am continuing "Truth for Thursdays" on Being Refined As Silver. To read the first post on this topic click here.

Recently I have been reading the book "Lies Women Believe and The Truth That Sets Them Free" by Nancy Leigh DeMoss. I thought this may be a good way to share the lies we believe that she writes about, but more importantly the truths of God's Word. This book seems like a good one for a group to do together, but since I am doing it on my own, I would love to hear your comments about it.

Last week I wrote about countering lies with the truth and today I would like to continue on that.  As I was rereading that chapter I was thinking of what she wrote about how this applies to the way we relate to other Christians.  Our culture has spoken lies to us in this area too.  What are we to do when we see a sister in sin?  Society would tell us to turn our heads the other way, mind our own business, not be so judgmental, let everyone live their lives their own way.  Well we know that is a lie.  What does the bible say about it? 

“If one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring him back, remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of his way will save him from death and cover a multitude of sins.”         James 5:19-20

I can’t help but think of Nathan and David.  If you remember David had committed adultery with Bathsheba and then in an attempt to cover his sin when she became pregnant he had her husband Uriah killed and then married her.  The LORD sent Nathan to David.  David then confesses and Nathan gives me the sad news that the child who is born to him shall die.  Nathan was a faithful friend.  He did what was right even thought it must not have been pleasant.  He is an example of fearing the LORD more than man.  I can just think if I were in his position all the thoughts that would be running through my head. 

Sometimes we see something going on in a Christian sister’s life and we desire to do what is right but act in fear.  We fear losing that friendship, we fear being labeled as judgmental, we fear being misunderstood and we might even fear that they will point out some sin in our lives.  We are to examine ourselves first and then go to that sister in love. 

“And why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye?”  Matthew 7:3

It is summed up by Nancy Leigh DeMoss very well on page 252.  She writes, “We must remember that in Christ and in His Word, we have the Truth that sets people free.  That is Good News!  And it is essential news.  There is no other way for those we know and love to be delivered from darkness, deception, and death.  If we truly care about them, we will prayerfully and actively seek to restore them to God’s way of thinking.  We must learn the Truth, believe it, surrender to it, and live it out- even when it flies in the face of our culture.  Then we must proclaim the Truth with boldness, conviction, and compassion, seeking to turn sinners from the error of their way and to restore those who have wandered from the Truth.”

Please pray with me for wisdom in applying this.  Let us remember that our goal is to restore a sister to a right relationship with God and/or to help her change a sin area in her life.  It is not about proving we are right or attempting to exalt ourselves.  Also pray with me that when a friend comes to us to point out a sin area in our lives, that we would have a humble spirit.  That our pride would not prevent us from hearing The Truth.  That we would respond biblically and take the necessary actions.  That we would stay focused on The Truth and that it would set us free!

~Theresa