1Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted. 2Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. 3If anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself. 4Each one should test his own actions. Then he can take pride in himself, without comparing himself to somebody else, 5for each one should carry his own load.
The practical outworking of the fruit of the Spirit is seen in these verses. How should I respond when I see someone “caught in a sin”? Admonish? Rebuke? Gossip? Murmur? Feel good about my own perceived righteousness?
Apparently the Galatian believers, in their abandonment of grace and adherence to legalism, saw the sin of others as an opportunity to feel good about themselves and criticize/attack the one who had sinned. If you keep on biting and devouring each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other (5:15). Legalistic churches are scary places to be. You have to watch your back and protect your image. No one can see a crack in your Christian life. No one is allowed to be broken and vulnerable. The repercussions are too high.
Instead, a Spirit-filled, grace-oriented church acts differently. If someone is caught in a sin… The word “caught” literally means “overtaken.” It describes the person who falls into sin, who gets off track, who struggles with temptation but gives in. It is not describing the person who willfully, rebelliously, and blatantly pursues sin.
You who are spiritual should restore him gently. Who are the “spiritual”? The ones walking in the Spirit and exhibiting the fruit of the Spirit (5:22-23). Only those with the love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control of the Spirit can appropriately and gently enter into the life of someone else struggling with sin. If you are struggling with a sin, overtaken by a temptation, defeated and trapped, who do you want next to you? Someone self-righteous and critical or someone with the grace and compassion of Christ?
But watch yourself… Helping someone struggling with sin can be dangerous to our own spiritual walk. To enter into their world exposes us to their temptation. For instance, helping someone struggling with pornography exposes us to the same temptation. We better be on our guard and aware of our own weaknesses. So if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall! (1 Corin. 10:12).
Carry each other’s burdens… Helping someone overcome temptation and sin is not easy. It will emotionally and physically drain you. It is entering into the ditch, picking them up, getting under their burden, and helping them carry it. Such ministry fulfills the law of Christ. What is the law of Christ? A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another (John 13:34-35).
If anyone thinks he is something… Here is Paul’s stern warning against pride and self-righteousness. Deep down we tend to find a sick sense of satisfaction when we someone else sins. Why do you think the tabloids and Hollywood gossip shows are so popular? The faults and falls of others prop up our own insecure need for validation. “Hey, at least I am not as bad as they are!” Since we all fall short of God’s perfect righteousness, we prefer to compare ourselves to others rather than to the holiness of God. A critical spirit is evidence of an insecure, self-righteous heart.
Each one should test his own actions… In other words, quit comparing yourself to others! If God is working in your own heart and you are seeing progress, then praise God! Rejoice in that. Don’t rejoice because you perceive that you are more spiritual and/or less sinful than those around you.
For each one should carry his own load. We each have our own calling from the Lord. I can’t compare myself to you because God has created, designed, and gifted me differently. As Jesus said to Peter, when Peter was overly concerned about God’s plan for John, “That’s none of your business, Peter. You follow Me.” (loose paraphrase of John 21:22). Stop comparing and start caring.
Lord, give me Your eyes to see the needs and struggles of those around me. May I be Your hands and feet today.
