19th April 2026

A Loving Warning

"Moreover if your brother sins against you,

go and tell him his fault between you

and him alone." - Matthew 18:15

Today's Bible Reading: Matthew 18:15–20.

Te Lord Jesus said His disciples had a responsibility to warn fellow disciples of things that could harm them spiritually—including unrepentant sin. He outlined a process in which a believer who’s been sinned against by another can humbly, privately and prayerfully “point out” the sin to the offending believer (Matthew 18:15). If the person repents, then the conflict can be resolved and the relationship restored. If the believer refuses to repent, then “one or two more” can help resolve the conflict (v 16). If the sinning person still does not repent, then the issue is to be brought before “the church” (v 17). If the offender still will not repent, the individual is to be removed from assembly fellowship. The Bible says: let him be to you like a heathen and a tax collector.  Nevertheless, he or she can certainly still be prayed for and shown Christ’s love.

As believers in the Lord Jesus Christ, let us pray for the wisdom and courage we need to care enough to lovingly warn one another of the dangers of unrepentant sin. Then, together, we can seek the joys of being restored to our heavenly Father and other believers. Jesus will be “there . . . with [us]” as we do (v 20).

Prayer: Dear God, help me to love my brothers and sisters in Christ enough to lovingly warn them when I see them falling into sin. In my Saviours name I pray. Amen.