HOW THE ELDERS ASSIST THOSE WHO GET INVOLVED IN SERIOUS SIN - Continue

 Elders follow Jehovah's example when trying to help those who have got involved with serious sin. As 2 Timothy 4:2 directs, they reason "with all patience" when dealing with a troubled fellow believer. A study note on that verse says of such an elder: "He would always need to show restraint, patiently appealing to [the sinner's] desire to do what [is] right. If the [elder] were to give in to annoyance or frustration, he might alienate or even stumble [the sinner]." 

The elders try to determine the circumstances that led up to sin. For example, did the Christian slowly become weak because he neglected personal study or the ministry? Have his prayers to Jehovah become infrequent or superficial? Has he been allowing the wrong desires to guide him? Has he made unwise choices in his associations or entertainment? How might such choices have affected his heart? Does he recognized how his recent decisions and actions have affected his Fathe, Jehovah? 

By asking meaningful questions without being unnecessarily intrusive, the elders draw out the wrongdoer and help him to reason on his course. (Proverbs 20:5) In addition, they might use illustrations to help the person to reason and see the wrongness of his actions, as Nathan did with David. Perhaps during the first meeting, the person will begin to feel sorrow over the course he has followed He may even repent.

Next time: HOW THE ELDERS ASSIST THOSE WHO GET INVOLVED WITH SERIOUS SIN - Continue 

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