Do you try to Stop them???

[ColleenLovesMischief]

Situation would be....a brother or sister in Christ is beginning to fall the wrong direction and you see it happen. It could be a secret sin, false preacher leading them away, unbiblical practice....so on and so forth.....basically you fill in the blank. So how do you handle it? Are we supposed to warn them?

[Trusting Jesus]

Well, I voted yes. It is our business when we see a brother or sister going astray. It may not always be prudent to confront them, depending upon how well you know them or what your relationship is with them. Even if you can't directly bring it to their attention you can always always pray.

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Nathele

[Guest man]

I voted yes.

I would warn them and try to show them in the Word where they are going astray.

If they do not listen.....I will let them go.

I have learned, that if they are blinded by whatever, the harder you try to pull them back, the harder they'll pull away.

It's sad...but as Christ said...."For many are called, but few are chosen".

There are not very many who will pass through the gates of the straight and narrow.

[Guest]

Situation would be....a brother or sister in Christ is beginning to fall the wrong direction and you see it happen. It could be a secret sin, false preacher leading them away, unbiblical practice....so on and so forth.....basically you fill in the blank. So how do you handle it? Are we supposed to warn them?

I voted yes. We have a responsibility to lift up and encourage one another as believers. I've had this happen a couple of times, and it is not an easy thing to deal with. Start with prayer, and share as the Lord opens up the opportunity to do so. The thing to remember is that ultimately it is the individual's free will that is involved. If they choose the wrong path, and you warn them about it, then you have done all you can. All that's left is to pray for them. Pushing the issue only results in them pulling away all the more, as another posted.

[Blien]

Yes. She acknowledged she had a problem but didn't care to do anything about it. Not like I dont have problems in my walk either but... I dont know we'll see..

[elkieDannsa' Air An Drochaid]

Better the reproof of a friend than the kisses of an enemy.

What friend (or parent either) in Christ if we do not help one another to walk rightly in Chris

[Guest Joey1300]

Well the bible says James 5:19-18<-----------Brethren if anyone among you wanders from the truth, and someone turns him back, Let him know that he who turns a sinner from the erroe of his way will save a soul from death and cover a multitude of Sins

[nebula]

Christianity works for some people, and doesn't work for others.

It's not about "Christianity" and it's not about "what works."

It's about Jesus.

Are you going to say that "Jesus doesn't work" for someone? Then what does that turn Jesus into? A caterer? A self-confidence booster? A feel-good solution?

[nebula]

Im starting to get that perception about the American view of Jesus, yeah. People in my church are taking Jesus and using him as a springboard to openly judge others. There's a rift between two families there now and their each berating the other for not being close enough to Jesus, or in the Word enough. I tripped to Israel about 8 years ago with my church and the difference between how we experience religion and how they experience it is exponentially different.

It saddens me but there's not much substance to be had here. It's becoming quite like the mysticism of old, and we judge each other based on how well we know the word, an how close we are to God, yet how humbly we portray ourselves.

It's time for a change I say. So if I had a family member or friend who was falling away, my first inclination would be to find out if there was a problem I could help with, and my second inclination would be to blame the American church system.

OK - I think I see what you are saying, then.

Your problem is people making theology out of The Faith, while it should be a life of Faith.

Instead of beating the person over the head with theology and Scripture, we need to minister to the brokenness of their heart.

Is that correct?

[~~ angelique ~~]

Yes exactly. And, depending on the circumstances, show them that the Christianity they had been living under was one built upon guilt and judgement, and is not the way to follow Christ. He told us to, above all, love one another. If someone I loved and cared about or even just knew well fell away from Christ, I would love them, above all.

I guess to me, the poll sounded like "If they fall away do we throw the curved end of a cane around their neck and yank them back, then Bible thump them until they turn around?" And I don't like that at all. I do not want to be a bully Christian.

Sunshine, I really liked your answer.