Forgiveness
When a Brother Stumbles
All believers are subject to stumbling. The Word of God gives three very distinct reasons why we are prone to do this.
Sin Within Us
First, the Scriptures reveal that the principle of sin is still within us. No matter how committed we are to Christ or how well we understand the dynamics of the Holy Spirit, an active sin principle crouches within our hearts. Paul describes the turmoil it can generate:
For the good that I wish, I do not do; but I practice the very evil that I do not wish. But if I am doing the very thing I do not wish, I am no longer the one doing it, but sin which dwells in me. I find then the principle that evil is present in me, the one who wishes to do good. (Romans 7:19-21)
Paul is not implying that sin is stronger than the power of the indwelling Spirit; he is making the point that it still exists and exerts a strong downward pull. Believers can resist and overcome the power of sin through the overcoming life of Christ, but there is a battle to be fought. For various reasons, we don't always share in the triumph that is ours through Calvary.
A Formidable Foe
Second, we stumble because we have an Enemy who seeks to devour, deter, and detour us. He is called by many names—the Prince of this Age, the Prince of the Power of the Air, the Adversary, the Accuser of the Brethren—namely, Satan.
He is always there to harass us, tempt us, put pressure on us, and cause us to fail. He is the Accuser of the Brethren, not of unbelievers. Since he has failed in blinding our eyes to the truth of salvation, he will try to do the next best thing, which is to render us ineffective, frustrated, discouraged, and defeated for fruitful living and service. Luring us into repeated sin and launching ongoing forays into our more vulnerable areas of personality or character are major tactics that work far too often and too effectively.
An Evil World System
Third, we live in an evil world system, thoroughly permeated by the vile spirit of the Evil One. Books, arts, government, education, business, and recreation are all part and parcel of what Paul referred to as "this present evil age" (Galatians 1:4). This kosmos or fallen worldly system, is masterminded by Satan himself and confronts believers on every front of daily living. We cannot escape it. Though we are not of the world, we are certainly in it.
This triad of opposition is imposing enough to deal us toppling blows. Anyone who says, "I would never do this or that," is in reality setting the stage for an unflattering fall. This self-conferred standard of righteousness has lowered resistance in that particular area because the individual now rests on personal adequacy as a line of defense against a far superior foe. It's like guarding a fort with a water pistol.
Why We Stumble
The apostle Paul writes the biblical prescription for forgiving a fallen brother,
Brethren, even if a man is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself, lest you too be tempted. Bear one another's burdens, and thus fulfill the law of Christ. For if anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself. But let each one examine his own work and then he will have reason for boasting in regard to himself alone, and not in regard to another. For each one shall bear his own load. (Galatians 6:1-5)
Notice Paul's use of the phrase "caught in any trespass." The idea expressed in the original language is one of a surprise, blunder, or fault. In other words, when Christians sin, we do not go out deliberately seeking to transgress. In a moment of weakness or indifference, we yield to or are ensnared by evil. We didn't start the morning by planning to lie, cheat, or lust, but as we walked in harm's way, we were wounded.
Knowing the Bible and God's ways as well as His warnings against sin, why do we still take bites out of the forbidden fruit?
Careless Living
The first factor that comes to mind is that we become careless in the Christian life. We fail to take the Bible's admonition about living "sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age" (Titus 2:12) as seriously as we should. We become careless in living out the truths we know and forget to take the kinds of precautions we ordinarily should to avoid Satan's snares.
Paul urges us, "Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men, but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil" (Ephesians 5:15-16). People who are careless in their work are apt to have accidents that could have been avoided. Christians who develop sloppy prayer and study habits and who do not cultivate disciplined character traits under the tutelage of the Holy Spirit are prime targets for a fiery shaft of the Enemy.
Ignorance
A second reason is ignorance. Sometimes we are unaware of sin and how Satan operates. Sometimes we are ignorant of ourselves and how we respond to certain temptations. Many times in the Scriptures, the writers declare, "Be not ignorant." One of the keys to Paulís overcoming life in the midst of such adversity was that he was not ignorant of Satan's schemes (2 Corinthians 2:11). Neither should we be.
That is why we are continually challenged by God's Word to "press on toward the goal" (Philippians 3:14). We cannot be satisfied with what we already know. We need to learn so much truth to keep ourselves free from the yoke of sin that ever seeks to keep us in bondage.
Deception
A third reason believers stumble is deception. Satan lures us as an angel of light. He is crafty, cunning, and stealthy. He can cleverly camouflage his murderous traps with appealing enticements. If he could trick Adam and Eve, who enjoyed perfect, wonderful communion with Creator God, why do we think we can outwit him?
Pride
A fourth common denominator in tripping us up is pride. When we rely on our self-sufficiency or our self effort to combat sin, rest assured that our Waterloo is approaching. The "Big I" is no match for the Prince of Darkness. It's like an inflated balloon, just waiting to be deflated.
The Old Testament King Uzziah was a famous king and inventor. He was also a ferocious warrior who enjoyed great success as "long as he sought the Lord" (2 Chronicles 26:5 ). He could have enjoyed a lifetime of victory if he hadn't enthroned the "Big I."
Hence his fame spread afar, for he was marvelously helped until he was strong. But when he became strong, his heart was so proud that he acted corruptly, and he was unfaithful to the LORD his God, for he entered the temple of the LORD to burn incense on the altar of incense. (2 Chronicles 26:15-16)
Uzziah was struck with leprosy by God for usurping the priests functions, and his end was tragic. Pride will take us into places we have no business being, and it will not be long before we find ourselves overmatched. Remember Samson?
Weariness
A fifth agent in causing believers to sin is weariness. We become physically or emotionally drained and are simply too weak to hold up the shield of faith. Our hands drop to our sides, the shield lies on the ground, and we become stationary targets for the incoming missiles. Elijah was ripe for fear and discouragement when Jezebel threatened him. This was probably because he had just finished running a marathon, beating King Ahab's chariot to Jezreel (1 Kings 18:45-46). His fatigue diluted his resistance.
Satanic Attack
A sixth factor is satanic attack. A satanic attack is a moment or a period of time of intense harassment from Satan, whereby individuals undergo absolutely arduous conflict with the powers of evil. They don't come only when we are close to sin. We can be praying, we can be working, we can be doing almost anything, and Satan can launch a major offensive against us.
Job encountered the blitzkrieg of Satan, losing his family and his possessions in a matter of hours. Though allowed by God, it nevertheless struck like a horde of locusts. That same intensity of persecution, still restrained and limited by almighty God, can swoop down on believers, especially if we are positioned in place of fruitful service in the kingdom.
Pressure
A seventh reason is pressure. We buckle under the stress of job, family, and society and look for an emotional release valve that we feel will help meet a particular need at the moment. The strains and burdens become too much, and we struggle to open an escape hatch, not really caring where it may lead so long as it steers us out from under the load.
I think all of us who are honest with one another will have to admit, "Yes, I have failed." We haven't violated just one of the commandments. The truth is, we probably have violated all of them in some fashion or to some degree.
When we look back in the Old Testament, it is interesting to see that God's first three kings were all great men. Saul began his rule as an anointed leader. David was a noble ruler as well as an accomplished musician and poet. Solomon's wisdom has not been equaled.
Despite their success, however, they all stumbled. Saul's kingdom was stripped away because of his pride. David caved in to lust, and Solomon's sagacity was tragically marred by idolatry.
Christians today, no matter how strong, wise, or respected, are subject to some public or private manifestation of the sin principle. Believers who sow to the flesh will reap the same corrupt harvest as non believers do. The flesh lusts against the Spirit and the Spirit against the flesh.
This material has been taken from:
The Gift Of Forgiveness
by Dr. Charles Stanley
Used with permission. Thomas Nelson Publishing, Nashville, Tennessee
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