Helping Others & Staying Out of Sin

“Brothers, if someone is caught in sin, you who are
spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be
tempted” (Gal. 6:1).

“If you forgive anyone, I also forgive him. And what I have forgiven
– if there was anything to forgive – I have forgiven in the sight of Christ for
your sake, in order that Satan might not outwit us. For we are not unaware of
his schemes” (2 Cor. 2:10-11).

The connection between these two verses of Scripture may not
be obvious. There are, I think, two connections:

1. “You who are spiritual” and “I have forgiven in the sight
of Christ for your sake.” A spiritual person must be forgiven and forgiving.

2. “But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted” and “in
order that Satan might not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes.”
There is a parallel between watching yourself and being aware of Satan’s
schemes.

Here are a few other Scriptures with similar warnings:

“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. Put
on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s
schemes” (Eph. 6:10-11).

“Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that
He may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares
for you. Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like
a roaring lion looking for someone to devour” (1 Peter 5:6-9).

The first part of each of the verses above are a few reasons
we cannot help others: we are not spiritual, gentle, forgiving, strong in the
Lord, or humble.

The second part of each is why we fall: we do not watch
ourselves; we are outwitted, we are unaware; we are not alert.

This post coordinates with today’s reading in the Same
Page Summer Bible Reading Challenge. If you are not in a daily reading
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