How Do You Confront Another Professing Christian Who Is in Ongoing, Unrepentant Sin? Part 2 of 2

Written By Bryan Hurlbutt

This week we continue our discussion on how to effectively confront a fellow believer engaged in ongoing, unrepentant sin. Building on the previous reflection, we address five additional thoughts; ensuring one's own integrity, understanding the time it takes for change, articulating biblical righteousness, and being prepared to forgive, all while aiming for the restoration of the individual.

Key Insights:

  • Integrity Check: Ensure you're free from hypocrisy before confronting someone, maintaining personal integrity in your own life.

  • Patience in Change: Recognize that change is a process and may take time, requiring patience and understanding.

  • Biblical Guidance: Provide a clear biblical articulation of righteousness, focusing not just on rebuke but also on correction and guidance.

  • Awareness of Consequences: Help the individual understand the long-term consequences of their repetitive sin.

  • Readiness to Forgive: Approach the confrontation with a heart ready to forgive if the individual repents.

  • I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

  • All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.

  • Your word is a lamp to my feet
        and a light to my path.

  • I myself am satisfied about you, my brothers, that you yourselves are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge and able to instruct one another.

  • But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called “today,” that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.

  • Pay attention to yourselves! If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him.

Reflective Questions:

  1. How can I ensure that I am not being hypocritical when confronting someone about their sin?

  2. In what ways can I help someone understand the broader impact of their repetitive sin on themselves and others?

  3. Am I truly prepared to forgive and restore the relationship if the individual shows genuine repentance?

Bryan Hurlbutt

After years of preparation and seeking the Lord’s direction, Bryan moved to Utah in 2004 for the sole purpose of founding Lifeline Community. Born and raised in upstate New York, Bryan received his bachelor’s degree in religious education from Davis College in Johnson City, New York, and his master’s degree in theology from Dallas Theological Seminary. His doctorate of ministry from Talbot School of Theology focused on how worldview, philosophy, and culture relate to the local church, which culminated in the release of his first book, Tasty Jesus: Liberating Christ from the Power of our Predilections, published by Wipf and Stock. A true scholar and pastor at heart, Bryan longs to merge the life of the mind with life in the Spirit. His primary passion in ministry is discipleship, as evidenced by the various ministries at Lifeline, with the intended result that Lifeline be the kind of church that no one ever outgrows. Bryan is married to Jennifer and they have three daughters. He is an avid runner, a devout Syracuse Orange fan, and his favorite hobby is discussing world views and theology at ANY time in ANY place.

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How Do You Confront Another Professing Christian Who Is in Ongoing, Unrepentant Sin? Part 1 of 2