I will re-post the passage from Galatians about growth in maturity through Discipleship that deals with moral and or ethical failures.
Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted. Galatians 6.
If a Christian is caught in sin. It is not easy to interpret the meaning of the term sin here. It seems to be an emphasis on a person with a chronic failure or compulsion rather than a simple misstep or unusual mistake.
When we find a brother or sister engaged in a chronic moral failure it is more difficult to handle than falling in a rare display of carnal immaturity. The most common response to a moral and ethical failure of any sort seems to lack an intention to restore people to harmony with God. We too often hear the phrase, "I am called to love not judge".That is a failure of love and responsibility. It is based on fear rather than faith.
Scripture calls us to judge with righteousness and mercy. Failing to understand the goal of judgement leads to a lack of forgiveness. If we leave people in their True Moral Guilt it can lead to their depression, anxiety and emotional collapse. Facing and forgiving True Moral Guilt and separating it from False or Cultural Guilt Feelings is essential to successful Soul Care.
It takes a Spiritually Mature Person to administer effective Soul Care and Soul Cure to a Compulsively Sinful Christian. Compulsive persons have developed deep Habits of a Fleshly Nature that lack the Fruit of the Spirit. These habits are formed in childhood or youth and have rarely been overcome. It will take a long time and deep searching of the soul to overcome them.
Do you know anyone that has a long term habit of ungodly behavior? Has anyone attempted to help them leave it behind? See Breaking Free to discover ways to break long term bondage.
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