The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise. – Proverbs 11:30
James stated that when we convert a sinner from the error of his ways, we are saving his soul from death (James 5). This seems to be the same idea.
As Christians, it’s easy to feel discouraged, saddened, and angered by a culture that normalizes and praises sin, but we need to be careful in how we deal with the sins of our time.
First, what is our goal?
Is our goal to convert a sinner so that they might be saved from deadly ideas and actions?
Or is our goal to humiliate them? Is our goal to show off how right we are or how much we know? Is our goal to gain approval and praise from those who already believe like we do? Is our goal to make ourselves feel morally superior?
If our goal is not to stand up for what is right out of a love of the truth and a love for God and our fellow man, then we are far less likely to convert anyone.
In-fact, we are far more likely to harden the person(s) further and make them stronger in their sin rather than free them from it. We might even encourage them to feel so passionate about their stance that they feel the need to convert others to their way of thinking and behaving.
Before we allow our emotions to cloud our better judgment, we need to remember that we have received forgiveness of our sins through faith in Jesus. Since we have the promise of the resurrection, there is no real harm that can come to us. However, those who are blinded to the truth are on a path of sure destruction, and they lead others in the same things.
Jesus once said, “leave them alone. They are blind leaders of the blind.”
There is a time to let people be. Especially when are at risk of handling the situation in a foolish manner. Sometimes people get so caught up in saving others from their sin that they don’t recognize their own.
However, if we are properly equipped and if communication is opened so that we can turn someone away from their sin, then we should try—but in a Christian way that treats others the same way we would want to be treated.
These are trying times for us who love Jesus and His ways.
People do not believe in sin anymore. Not really. They do not think that there are consequences for the wrongs that they do, because they have become so hardened that they think the wrongs are good. They think that they are standing up for the rights of others as they destroy many.
It seems that the self has become a god. It’s all about what the individual thinks is best for them and to hell with anyone who gets in the way of their “right” to be completely self-obsessed. Self-sacrifice for the good of anyone—even their own children—is oppressive in their minds. How dare anyone suggest that they care about anyone but themselves? This is their rationale:
Sin? Give me a break. There is no sin. If I say it’s good for me, then it’s good. If I say that it’s wrong for me, then it’s wrong. Same goes for you too. I’m so tolerant. What you say is good for you is good for you. What you say is wrong for you is wrong for you. Who am I to judge? And don’t you dare judge me either. How dare you say that what is right for me is wrong for you? Your rights are wrong for me. You must be destroyed because I am my own god, and I do not care about your rights if they contradict my own.
What utter hypocrisy. How can such a society exist? It will tear itself apart.
This is serious and we need to be wise in how we handle all of this. If we really want to convert people and not add more hatred and destruction to the mix, then we need to behave as Christians. If it means being hated, targeted, and snuffed out, then that is better for our souls than to go the path of the wicked whose god is themselves.
PREVIOUS STUDY: Considering Proverbs 11:29 – “He that troubleth his own house shall inherit the wind: and the fool shall be servant to the wise of heart.“
The purpose of this bible study in The Proverbs is to consider present-day events in terms of the teachings and wisdom of Jesus Christ. Follow in WordPress or subscribe by email (red button at the bottom of each page below the comments) if you would like to join this discussion and receive updates of future posts. Visit the link above for easy access to all posts within this series
Jesus Alone 