When Someone Wanders Away from the Truth
We all have known individuals who for one reason or another have turned away from God or, at least, have somewhat lost their once fervent passion for Jesus Christ. Often when this happens, our hearts hurt with and for the person. No doubt, some of these individuals have gone through deep suffering, others have been sinned against, and even others have drifted away toward poor theology. Regardless the issue, what are we to do when someone wanders away from the truth?
Pastor James Helps
Notice what Pastor James writes in the final two verses of his letter to those who have gone through significant difficulties:
Brethren, if anyone among you wanders from the truth, and someone turns him back, let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save a soul from death and cover a multitude of sins (James 5:19-20).
James brings up the importance of helping others. Notice how he describes the value of trying to help another person. If you can turn someone from the error of his way, you will save a soul from death and cover a multitude of sins.
What is he talking about?
Saving a soul from death refers to the ultimate end of sin. From James 1, James explains that desires when conceived brings forth sin and sin when it is finished brings death. However, between sinning and death is a whole lot of destruction. The consequences of sin loom large. Therefore, if you can help turn someone from the error of his way, you have helped save that person from a cargo load of destruction and death.
Further, helping the person covers a multitude of sins. In other words, forgiveness is offered to the one who sins – since God covers sin and not an individual. Regardless of how many sins are committed, the person receives God’s full forgiveness. This forgiveness provides for both fellowship with God and other Christians. And, what incredible fellowship it is with both. The joy of forgiveness helps the one who has sinned and now enjoys renewed peace with God (cf., Psalm 32), and renewed fellowship with other family members in Christ (cf., 1 John 1).
Some Observations Regarding Helping Another Person
Why should you concern yourself with another person?
Let me suggest three important motivations. First, because of the incredible rewards of acting and the horrible consequences of not acting. We want individuals to receive the rewards of getting right with God, not suffer additional consequences on top of the suffering and sin that have already happened. Second, because God desires for all of us to live consistent with the Word of God through our life in Christ by the Spirit. God provided the Spirit and the Word to help us in these times of distress for this very reason. Our flesh makes it easy to sin in the midst of suffering and having been sinned against; God provides the tools to fight the flesh. Third, because this flows out of an active prayer ministry (cf., James 5:13-18) which fuels every other ministry to the individual.
How do we understand “wandering from the truth”?
In this text, the context points to “anyone among you.” The idea here would be the person who is part of the body of Christ. Therefore, the issue is living a lifestyle functionally that is not consistent with the truth. Of course, it may look like apostacy; however, it may also look much more often like backsliding. In other words, there is a shift in passion away from a life that is becoming more and more like Christ to a lifestyle that is less passionate about Christ, His people, and His church. Pastor James has been concerned about this throughout the entire book.
How do we go about “turning him or her back?”
- We begin by praying. Bring your concerns for your friend before the Lord. As well, pray for your own heart as you seek to minister to your friend. In every instance, pray helps prepare you in this special ministry.
- We consider our own hearts in humility. A humble heart remembers his or her own need for God’s grace, forgiveness, and enabling. Further, humility means that we put ourselves in the shoes of the other person as we consider their plight. Plus, it helps if we ask ourselves how we would want the situation handled if it were a close family member. In this way, we can begin to get in the right place to try to help humbly.
- We speak up for the sake of our friend and the gospel. We have to actually speak. This may be the hardest. Why? Because people who are hurting often hurt others. It may be unintentional at the motive level, yet they often strike back, say things that cut deeply, and even act rudely. Yet, with a humble heart who has bathed the conversation in prayer, we speak with gentleness, self-control, patience, and forbearance as we seek to be unified in Jesus Christ together.
- We trust the process God ordained of reconciliation, restoration, and discipline. This conversation is part of the process God intends for us to take. He determined the path. Speaking to another person is critical to the hope of restoration. Of course, we do not just simply speak. We must also act in ways that enhance our words. To say it differently and somewhat cliché-ish, people often will not listen when we have not demonstrated that we care.
How is this wandering person saved?
This is a good question to consider because if we understand this, it can help us have a greater motivation to help the sinning brother. So, how is this wandering person saved? Possibly, they are saved from eternal death, meaning that through this process the individual becomes genuinely converted. Whereas, the person may have simply said they were saved, in the process of helping the person, the individual may become genuinely converted.
Possibly, they are saved from the consequences of sin, including death. The Bible teaches that when you sow to the flesh, you reap corruption; however, when you sow to the Spirit, you reap the benefits of that as well. We call this the law of the harvest – what you sow, you reap.
Regardless, they are benefited with the life God desires for them. As they begin to walk with Christ again, they will begin to benefit from the benefits of godly living. Plus, they enjoy the forgiveness God provides through Christ which results in fellowship.
What are some key ideas to help you keep from wandering?
First, understand the progression of sin. Sin always move from one step to another. It begins with soft or easy choices. Most of the initial decisions to sin begin with smaller choices, something that seems benign. However, over time, those small steps move you further and further away from honoring God or walking with Him.
Second, keep loving, authentic accountability in your life. Each of us need the voice of others in our lives. The extra set of eyes help us remember that walking with Christ is a moment-by-moment choice. When we have someone who can speak into our lives, it provides us at least with additional and possibly better questions to think through.
Third, preach the gospel to yourself daily – never stop, never slow down, never slack. You can do this, of course, by memorizing key Scriptures that highlight your union with Christ, the power of the Holy Spirit, and all the benefits of the gospel. As you remember these truths, remind yourself of them over and over. One idea is to make cards with one key verse and truth on each one. Rotate through the cards by keeping one or two in your pocket or on your phone each day. Look at it when you can, read it, think about what it means, then ask yourself whethdsdsdddder or not you are living in light of the truth.
Fourth, pay attention to your spiritual disciplines as a spiritual thermometer of where your passion is at the moment. Strive to discern the focus of your passion. If you do not desire to read your Bible, meditate on what it means, and pray regularly, then there is something eating at the fabric of your walk with God. The more you love God and walk with Him, the more you will desire to read, pray, and consider what God’s Word teaches you. Therefore, if you have minimal desire, then your spiritual thermometer would suggest there is work to do.
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