Day 306: Duty to Warn

2 Nov, 2018

The Daily Word: Friday, November 2nd, 2018
Ezekiel 3:16-6:14
Hebrews 4:1-16
Psalm 104:24-35
Proverbs 26:27
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Commentary from Pastor Michael White:
“When I say to the wicked, ‘You shall surely die,’ and you give him no warning, nor speak to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life, that same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood I will require at your hand.” – Ezek 3:18

When you see someone committed to sin, and you know they are jeopardizing the state of their soul, you have a responsibility to tell them. You have the duty to warn! But how you warn is where we often get it wrong.

Before you warn, you have to earn the right to warn. First, you have to build rapport. God sent Ezekiel to his own people. Ezekiel already knew them, so he had a right to comment on their lifestyle! If you don’t know someone: don’t try and correct them before you know them! Second, you have to seek God for the word He wants you to share. Ask Him what to say, when to say it, where to say it, and how to say it! Then, you can confront the sin, while still loving the sinner!

You must be bold to confront sin; but also wise in your intervention.

And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth… – 2 Tim 2:24-25

Prayer:

Father, give me boldness to confront sin. At the same time, give me the compassion required to approach others in love! I know it is my responsibility to warn others about sin, so they can make it into Heaven! I accept that; and help me to act on that, in Jesus’ name.

Archives
See commentary from this day in 2014.
See commentary from this day in 2015.
See commentary from this day in 2016.
See commentary from this day in 2017.

© Michael D. White, 2018. All rights reserved.