Read Matthew 18:15-17.

There are only two outcomes when we confront a fellow believer caught in sin. The first is the blessed result: “If they listen to you, you have won them over” (Matthew 18:15). What glory this brings to God! But make no mistake—listening is not passive. It demands humility. It demands that we drop our defenses. And it demands a heart that seeks Truth, not justification. If I have really offended someone or fallen into sin, I want to know the Truth and repent, trusting in the salvation and power of my God to love and restore me into eternity.

Some will not listen. Very often when we are confronted with an accusation against our actions or words, we become defensive and puffed up. While our fellow believer is speaking—even in gentleness and love—we are not really listening but rather building our defense case. But here is a liberating Truth: Jesus is our defender. Whether we have sinned or not, we don’t need to fight for ourselves. We can humbly receive the exhortation of our brother or sister in Christ and respond with love. Why? Because Jesus is our advocate and has atoned for all our sin (see 1 John 2:1).

Knowing our fallen nature, God anticipates resistance. Some will acknowledge sin yet refuse to repent. In such cases, Jesus instructs us to take two or three witnesses—not to humiliate, not to intimidate, but to establish Truth. This is about integrity, not incrimination. The presence of witnesses brings objectivity. It strengthens the rebuke and safeguards the process against false accusation and slander from both parties.

Though confrontation can be perceived as hostile or threatening, in fact, it is compassionate. Sin is not a trivial matter. It is treason against a holy God. To ignore it is not grace; it is spiritual neglect. It is good to root out the evil in our lives that would draw us away from the Lord. We should take joy that the family of God cares for our spiritual condition and is working to encourage us to grow in faith. 

So whether you are the one confronting or the one being corrected, remember Jesus Christ, your advocate, does not defend rebellion—He defends the repentant. And He stands ready to restore, renew, and reconcile His people—if we will listen and humbly submit to His Truth. So let us strive to exhort one another with grace rooted in Truth, for the glory of Christ and the purity of His Church.

Prayer: Lord, thank You for the gift of Your people, my family in Christ. May I not shy away from pressing on to draw my brothers and sisters closer to You when private confrontation doesn’t bring a holy result. And I pray that You would develop a humble spirit in my heart so that when confronted with my sin I am eager to repent. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

“My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One” (1 John 2:1).

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