BEING OVERTAKEN IN A FAULT

Is it possible for Christians to be deceived and to be led into soul-condemning error? If that were not possible, why do Bible writers often stress the danger of being deceived? In his Sermon on the Mount of Olives, Jesus Christ used the word "deceive" four times. "And Jesus answered and said unto them (the apostles), Take heed that no man deceive you. For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.... And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.... For there shall arise false Christs and false prophets, and shall show signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect" (Mt. 24:4-5,11,24). Paul warned both the Corinthians and the Galatians about being deceived (1 Cor. 6:9; 15:33; Gal. 6:7). The apostle Paul predicted: "But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived" (2 Tim. 3:13).

The worst form of deception is self-deception. Could Christians actually deceive themselves? James knew it was possible for a person to deceive himself. "If any man among you seem to be religious, and does not bridle his tongue, but deceives his own heart, this man's religion is vain" (Jas. 1:26). The Apostle John also recognized the possibility of our deceiving ourselves. "If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us" (1 John 1:8). Paul urged the Corinthians: "Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seems to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise" (1 Cor. 3:18).

I have raised the concept of deception for a good reason. Is there a danger that Christians might deceive themselves into believing that a child of God cannot be overtaken in a fault? Paul addressed that topic in his letter to the Galatians. "Brethren, if any man be overtaken in a fault, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in the spirit of meekness; considering yourself, lest you also be tempted" (Gal. 6: 1).

Let us take careful notice of the language Paul used in his admonition to the Galatian Christians. The expression, "if any man be overtaken in a fault," does not suggest any doubt it could happen. If a person could not be overtaken in a fault, why would Paul imply that he could or bother to warn people that it could happen? Paul knew that some of the Christians among the churches of Galatia had been overtaken with a fault. He asked the Galatians: "0 foolish Galatians, who has bewitched you, that you should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ has been evidently set forth, crucified among you" (Gal. 3:1)? If Christians cannot be overtaken in a fault, why did Paul warn: "Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ has made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage" (Gal. 5:1)?

In his commentary on The Epistle of St. Paul to the Galatians (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1957, a Reprint), J. B. Lightfoot says concerning the word "overtaken": "Be surprised, detecting in the act of committing any sin, so that his guilt is placed beyond doubt" (p. 215). The word "fault" means a transgression or a trespass or an offense or a sin. Jesus used the word when he taught his disciples: "For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will forgive you: but if you forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your heavenly Father forgive your trespasses" (Mt. 6:14-15).

When a brother sins, it is the duty of those who are spiritual to restore that person in the spirit of meekness. The word "spiritual" does not mean sinless members of the church, since there are no sinless members. We should have no difficulty discovering the meaning of the word "spiritual." Paul told the Galatians: "This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary one to the other: so that you cannot do the things that you would. But if you be led by the Spirit, you are not under the law" (Gal. 5:16-18). Paul commanded the Ephesians: "Be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit" (Eph. 5:18). The spiritual person is the one who obeys the Spirit's directions as revealed in the word of God.

The word "restore" means to mend. For example, Matthew uses the word of the mending of nets (Mt. 4:21). Paul uses the word of restoring broken relationships among brothers and sisters in Christ. He urged the schismatic members at Corinth: "Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and there be no divisions among you; but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment" (1 Cor.1: 10). When relationships are broken by the sin of Christians, the spiritual members are to use their influence to restore the broken relationships.

Incidentally, God does not hate those who are overtaken in a fault. He wants them to return to their first love. James provides an excellent commentary on Galatians 6:1. "Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him: let him know, that he who converts the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins" (Jas. 5:19-20). The Apostle Peter is a powerful example of one who needed restoring. After he had denied our Lord, Christ said to him: "Simon, Simon, behold Satan has desired to have you, that he might sift you as wheat: but I have prayed for you, that your faith fail not: and when you are converted, strengthen the brethren" (Lk. 22:31-32).

The person who seeks to restore a wayward brother must have the right attitude. Restoring a brother must be done "in the spirit of meekness" or gentleness. We should never approach a backsliding brother with a haughty attitude. We should not act as if we are perfect and would never have been involved in sinful activities. We must consider our own weaknesses lest we be tempted. Humility should govern our behavior at all times. But there probably is no greater need for humility than when we are dealing with an erring brother or sister. Peter admonished his readers: "Be clothed with humility, for God resists the proud, and gives grace to the humble" (1 Pet. 5:5).

If anyone tries to assure you that you cannot be overtaken in a fault, he is deceiving you. We know people can endanger their very souls by violating the commandments of the Lord. I shall give you examples from the Old Testament and from the New. What did the prophet Jeremiah have in mind when he repeatedly used the word "backsliding?" "The Lord said also unto me in the days of Josiah the king, Have you seen that which backsliding Israel has done? She has gone up upon every high mountain and under every green tree, and there has played the harlot. And I said after she had done these things, Turn unto me. But she did not return. And her treacherous sister Judah saw it. And I saw, when for all the causes whereby backsliding Israel committed adultery I had put her away, and given her a bill of divorce; yet her treacherous sister Judah feared not, but went and played the harlot also" (Jer. 3:6-8).

Was backsliding really all that serious? If you have any doubts, please listen to God's instructions to the prophet. "Go and proclaim these words toward the north, and say, Return, backsliding Israel, says the Lord; and I will not cause my anger to fall upon you: for I am merciful, says the Lord, and I will not keep my anger forever. Only acknowledge your iniquity, that you have transgressed against the Lord your God, and have scattered your ways to the strangers under every green tree, and have not obeyed my voice, says the Lord. Turn, 0 backsliding Israel, says the Lord; for I am married unto you: and I will take you one of a city, and two of a family, and I will bring you to Zion" (Jer. 3: 12-14).

Ezekiel does not use the word "backsliding," but he strongly condemns the same behavior his older contemporary had in mind. God commanded Ezekiel to stand upon his feet and listen to what the Lord would tell him. God told Ezekiel: "Son of man, I sent you to the children of Israel, to a rebellious nation that has rebelled against me: they and their fathers have transgressed against me, even unto this day. For they are impudent children, and stiff-hearted" (Ezek. 2:3-4). Was God concerned that his people had been overtaken in a fault?

The author of Hebrews does not use the expression, "overtaken in a fault," but we know what he had in mind. "Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip. For if the word spoken by angels was steadfast (that is, the Law of Moses), and every transgression and disobedience received its just recompense of reward, how shall we escape if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them who heard him; God also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit, according to his own will" (Heb. 2:1-4)?

There are dozens and dozens of denunciations of evil men and women in the Old Testament. But I shall turn now to examples from the New Testament. We know precious little about Hymenaeus and Alexander. But we know they were guilty of serious sin. Paul has written concerning them: "This charge I commit unto you, son Timothy, according to the prophecies that went before on you, that you by them might war a good warfare; holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning the faith have made shipwreck: of whom are Hymenaeus and Alexander; whom I have delivered unto Satan, that they might learn not to blaspheme" (1 Tim. 1:18-20).

Paul exhorted Timothy to "shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness. And their word will eat as does a canker: of whom are Hymenaeus and Philetus; who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some" (2 Tim. 2: 16-18). In this same letter, Paul mentioned a man named Demas. "For Demas has forsaken us, having loved this present world" (2 Tim. 4:10). At one time Demas was one of Paul's faithful co-workers (Col. 4:14). But he became so enamored with the world that he forsook Paul and the great work Paul was doing.

The word "forsake" would probably be better rendered in modern English by the word "desert." It is the same word Jesus used when he asked, "My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me" (Mt. 27:46)? The word means to abandon or to leave in the lurch. The English Standard Version translates the Greek "deserted." Was that a serious blunder on the part of Demas? Was he overtaken in a fault?

The Apostle John mentions a brother who could be called "a church dictator." "I wrote unto the church: but Diotrophes, who loves to have the preeminence among them does not receive us. Wherefore when I come, I will remember his deeds which he does, talking wicked nonsense against us: and not content therewith, neither does he receive the brethren, and forbids them who would, and casts them out of the church" (3 John 9-10).

There were members of the churches in Asia Minor who were causing trouble. There were people in the church at Pergamos who held what our Lord called "the doctrine of Balaam who taught Balac to cast a stumbling block before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit fornication" (Rev. 2:14). The church at Thyatira "suffered that woman Jezebel who calls herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed to idols" (Rev. 2:20).

So long as churches are composed of fallible human beings, there will be people who are involved in sin. There will almost always be people like Diotrophes who desire to have preeminence among men. There will also be people who get drunk, commit adultery, teach and promote false views of the scriptures and commit other grievous sins. Elders of the church must be aware of what is transpiring and have the courage to deal with it.

In the last few years, we have witnessed the immoral behavior of various religious leaders. Jim Bakker had a very popular television program. He was involved with a young woman and was convicted of mishandling the money of his ministry. He had to spend five years in prison for his behavior. Jimmy Swaggart was accused of consorting with prostitutes. Oddly enough, at least 40% of preachers and other church leaders access pornography on the Internet.

At one time Carlton Pearson served as a bishop in the Pentecostal movement. He had charge of over 600 churches and was considered as heir apparent to the late Oral Roberts. But then he changed his mind about whether anyone will be lost. In other words, he embraced the doctrine of Universalism. He also believed and preached that he was divine. The leaders in the Pentecostal movement withdrew fellowship from Pearson.

Churches could have avoided many of the heartaches they have experienced if they had been scripturally organized. During their work of establishing and strengthening churches, Paul and Barnabas "ordained elders in every church" (Acts 14:23). Paul told Titus: "For this cause I left you in Crete, that you should set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed you" (Tit. 1:5). God wants every church to have qualified elders to guide and to guard the church. If Jim Bakker and Jimmy Swaggart had been working under dedicated, faithful elders, they could have avoided the tragedies they brought on their organizations.

When Paul was completing his work with the church at Ephesus, he exhorted the elders of the that congregation: "Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he has purchased with his own blood. For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things to draw away disciples after them. Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears. And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them who are sanctified" (Acts 20:28-32). These words should challenge every elder to do his duty in taking care of the flock. Elders cannot allow immoral members to remain in the fellowship of the church. They cannot bring in wolves to feed the sheep.

Elders must be well informed about what is happening in our world and be able to keep the church from becoming like the world. In his list of qualifications of elders, Paul told Titus that elders must hold fast the faithful word as they have been taught, that they may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince those who contradict it (Tit. 1:9).

Both Paul and Peter urge elders of the church to "feed the flock." The word "feed" might leave the impression that the major responsibility of elders is to teach the members of the church. That certainly is a part of their duties. But the word "feed" would be better translated "shepherd." Most modern versions render the Greek "shepherd." The duty of shepherds is to make sure the sheep are well fed. But that is only a part of their work. They must also keep the sheep safe. That means keeping the wolves away from the sheep. That is the reason I often plead with churches not to bring in wolves to feed the sheep. Elders cannot afford to have regular preachers or preachers for meetings who preach false doctrine or who fail to preach true doctrine. One of the reasons that people apostatize is because they have not been taught the whole counsel of God (Acts 20:27).

I close our study today with the text I have discussed with you. "Brethren, if any man be overtaken in a fault, you who are spiritual, restore such a one, in the spirit of meekness, considering yourself, lest you also be tempted" (Gal. 6: 1).

Winford Claiborne

The International Gospel Hour

P.O. Box 118

Fayetteville, TN 37334