“If your brother or sister sins, go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over. 16 But if they will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’ 17 If they still refuse to listen, tell it to the church; and if they refuse to listen even to the church, treat them as you would a pagan or a tax collector. Matthew 18:15-17

Jesus provides a model to address a Christian brother or sister in sin. Why is this so important? Sin offends God, and destroys lives, marriages, families, churches, and the eternal destiny of souls.

Do not look the other way.

When you as a leader see something that is outright hurtful to the life of a person, or hear of sin in the camp, you must act. God has a way of shining light on situations that need to be addressed. He is a loving father who wants the best for us and protects us from the trap of transgression.

Let’s face it, we all fail. God wants everyone to heed to the voice of the Holy Spirit and to repent and change. When this does not happen and a believer is disobedient to the Lord, the Bible says in Hebrews 12:6, God disciplines those he loves.

Discipline comes in various forms.

Discipline can be directly from God, or God can use someone in your life to bring correction. The Jesus model in Matthew 18 comes into play when the sin of a believer is exposed. Jesus says to bring the issue directly to your brother or sister. I do suggest if you are a male leader and have to address an issue with a female, bring a female along and vice versa. You never want to be in private quarters alone with someone of the opposite sex, unless there are others to witness the meeting.

Discretion and respect is essential.

Communicate one on one and preferably face to face when dealing with a sin issue and or offense. Avoid texting, emailing, and leaving phone messages to discuss important issues. It is important to have personal dialogue, see body language, get discernment, pray together and allow the Holy Spirit to minister. The goal is repentance and restoration.

If one on one discussion does bring resolution, elevate the issue to involve others as Jesus recommends. All of this is to benefit the person in error and to help bring godly resolution. It is important to have spiritually mature people of discretion involved in the process of helping a person find repentance and change.

Do not let gossip enter the correction process.

Treat the person who has fallen with dignity. It is not right to expose a person to anyone else other than those who are involved in the restoration process. We are not discussing sin having to do with the abuse of children, which is a completely different topic.

If repentance does not take place, stay in prayer and do not gossip. The heart of God is that every one comes to repentance and no one perishes.

The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. 2 Peter 3:9

Leaders of a church should keep their pastoral oversight in the loop when it comes to sin issues.

God has given the church a leadership structure for its protection and divine care. Sin inside of a church should never be kept hidden from pastoral oversight. Congregation members must know up front, leaders are an extension of the pastor. Dealing with sin will be kept confidential, but the pastor has every right to know what is happening in the flock for its protection and for godly guidance in the process.

When a person rebels against correction the only reasonable resolution is further discipline, which may involve removal from the church or organization.

This command by the Lord for removal may seem harsh, but it is the most loving act for that person who resists correction and is in rebellion. It is also a protection for the family of God. Sin has a way of germinating and impacting others. The ultimate goal of sin is to bring death. Severe discipline may be what ultimately causes a person to find repentance and change. I have seen this happen on various occasions.

For rebellion is like the sin of divination, and arrogance like the evil of idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the LORD….” 1 Samuel 15:23

For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:23

Getting involved in addressing sin is never easy or comfortable, but it is an absolute necessity for leaders to do. God is holy and he calls His church to be holy.

… “Be holy, because I am holy.” I Peter 1:16

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