When a Brother Stumbles...

[Catsmeow]

A member of a church board had fallen into sin. The pastor called together the other board members, and with love and compassion he told them the sad story. Then he asked them this question: "If you had been tempted as our brother was, what would you have done?"

The first man, confident of his ability to withstand tamptation, said, "I'm sure I would never have given in to that sin." Several others made the same statement.

Finally, the minister addressed the question to the last member of the board, a man others resepcted as being deeply spiritual. "Paster," he answered, "I' feel in my heart that if I had been tempted and tested as he was, I would probably have fallen even lower."

There was silence.

Then the pastor said, "You are the only one who can go with me to talk with our erring brother and try to restore him to fellowship."

We must never take a superior attitude toward fellow believers who've fallen. We must seek to lift them up with a humility that comes from knowing ourselves.

*Excerpt from "Our Daily Bread", written by Henry Bosch

[Trinity]

A member of a church board had fallen into sin. The pastor called together the other board members, and with love and compassion he told them the sad story. Then he asked them this question: "If you had been tempted as our brother was, what would you have done?"

The first man, confident of his ability to withstand tamptation, said, "I'm sure I would never have given in to that sin." Several others made the same statement.

Finally, the minister addressed the question to the last member of the board, a man others resepcted as being deeply spiritual. "Paster," he answered, "I' feel in my heart that if I had been tempted and tested as he was, I would probably have fallen even lower."

There was silence.

Then the pastor said, "You are the only one who can go with me to talk with our erring brother and try to restore him to fellowship."

We must never take a superior attitude toward fellow believers who've fallen. We must seek to lift them up with a humility that comes from knowing ourselves.

*Excerpt from "Our Daily Bread", written by Henry Bosch

Amen, thank you for sharing that with us!

[MrSealedEternal]

When I read this devotional, this scripture came to my remembrance...

Gal 5:16 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh.

Gal 5:17 For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please.

Gal 5:18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the Law.

Gal 5:19 Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality,

Gal 5:20 idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions,

Gal 5:21 envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

Gal 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,

Gal 5:23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.

Gal 5:24 Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.

Gal 5:25 If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit.

Gal 5:26 Let us not become boastful, challenging one another, envying one another.

Gal 6:1 Brethren, even if anyone is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself, so that you too will not be tempted.

...So I thought I should share it here.

God Bless,

Mrs. SE

[Crosslight]

Good post. wow.

stacie

[Marnie]

Excellnt. When you think you'll never fall...watch out.

[Leonard]

Great reminder Cats!

[InternalFlame]

WOW! talk about the great timeing of God! I am just now talking to a person about how he had fallen....I needed this advice, thanks

[Catsmeow]

Brothers, I can't recall the exact scripture but I know there's one that warns us to "walk humbly with our God"...

I am learning the critical importance of walking in humility and denouncing self-pride.

I was once proud and full of zeal....The zeal was fine except it lead to pride.

I still have a plank in my own eye that needs removing. (Anybody got some tweezers?)

[BlindSeeker]

Brothers, I can't recall the exact scripture but I know there's one that warns us to "walk humbly with our God"...

I am learning the critical importance of walking in humility and denouncing self-pride.

I was once proud and full of zeal....The zeal was fine except it lead to pride.

I still have a plank in my own eye that needs removing. (Anybody got some tweezers?)

Good OP Catsmeow.

I've learned a long time ago not to pick up stones to throw, even though there are so many laying around . . . too many had my name on them.

Mic 6:8 He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God.

[Rania]

Excellent post!!