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Watching your Step

Watching your Step

Words of Faith 7-5-19

Dr. Jeffrey D. Hoy © 2019

Jeff.Hoy@faithfellowshipweb.com

Faith Fellowship Church - Melbourne, FL

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Galatians 6

[1] Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted. 

 

        Sometimes we hear about a "Good Samaritan" who pulled to the side of the road to help someone, only to be slammed from behind by an unanticipated vehicle.  It is so tragic that the act of helping can lead to a dangerous or deadly collision.  The same is true in the matters of the Spirit.

        Paul gave this warning: But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted.  What was he talking about?  What are the dangers here?  Where is the slam coming from when we help?

        Actually, there are many ways that we can be tempted while a matter of restoration is underway.  We might be tempted to reject the wounded runner or even kick dirt on them.  Or we might be tempted to run on ahead without concern.  We might stop to help but then be lured into the very same sin.  We might even reason that if brother so-and-so fell and is being restored, then I should also have the latitude to side-step.  This is not of the Lord, and it is not a good thing or a God-Thing.

        We can also help but be tempted to be judgmental.  Interestingly, the word Paul used for restoration means a complete mending.  A person who falls may not be fitted into the exact same frame they once were in because of the need to protect them from future temptation, but there needs to be a thorough and complete repair.  There is no place for judgment. 

        Paul used a word that describes someone who has "fallen before us.”  We need to recognize that we will probably, someday, require the very grace and restoration that we are extending.  There, but for the grace of God, go I. 

        But perhaps greatest of all is the temptation to let our trust of God be shaken by the failures of men.  When we work to restore those who have fallen, we can find ourselves disappointed in the person who has fallen and also disappointed in God.  There can be a pride issue at stake, but it is essential that we remember to put our faith in God rather than in a person.

        So be careful.  Restore gently the one caught in a sin.  But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted.

 

       Father God, give me the grace to stop in humility and help those who fall.  Give me the grace to gently restore.  Give me the grace to always watch my walk carefully so that I am not tempted.  In Jesus' Name.         

 

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The Words of Faith devotion is published five days a week by E-mail, and our website, and our church app, excluding Federal holidays. Please feel free to forward this devotion to a friend who might be blessed by this devotion. Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture is quoted from the New International Version (R) of The Holy Bible. Copyright (c) 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House. All rights reserved. Words of Faith (c) 1997, 2010 Jeffrey D. Hoy. All rights reserved. Permission is granted to forward this copyrighted material or use portions of it with appropriate notation of the source for non-profit purposes.  

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