what a potty mouth!

Galatians 6:1-5 Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. 2 Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. 3 For if anyone thinks he is something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself. 4 But let each one test his own work, and then his reason to boast will be in himself alone and not in his neighbor. 5 For each will have to bear his own load.

  

Bearing Burdens

1. Those who are spiritual ought to restore those overtaken in a trespass (1)

Use the Holy (fruit of the) Spirit which is - Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. (5:22) Pray with them, pray for them, look up scripture for them. Help them get on the right path, without getting too involved. Be careful and aware. Be honest and open by sharing your own burdens.

2. Bearing one another's burdens fulfills the law of Christ (2)

Obey the Law of Christ in ALL you do.

3. If one thinks himself to be something when he is not, he deceives himself (3)

You are not their savior, you are not their healer, you are not the one who can help them; so don’t fall into the temptation of thinking you are too important. We are not that important, God can do everything perfectly without us, but He chooses to use us. So let Him use you in His ways, not your own. Pointing them to Christ is all we can do!

4. Examine your own work, and bear your own load (4-5)

Pay careful attention to what you are doing, not just the other person; for we are each responsible for our own conduct.

Hypothetically, If my fiancé, Vincent, struggles with cursing; I should step up and help him because I know that cursing is wrong, right? Yes, that is exactly what this passage is saying! Since God has allowed me to see the wrong in cursing, I am therefore able to help my brother in Christ out. How would I go about this you might ask: I would encourage him with scripture about keeping his tongue and mouth pure and holy before the Lord/not saying the Lord’s name in vain, I would pray for and with him, I would correct him in love when he stumbles with his words, I would daily ask him how he is doing with his words..(etc.) But in doing this, (bearing his burdens) I must make sure I am allowing God to protect my ears so that I do not fall into temptation of cursing just like Vincent. I cannot stand on a chair and pull him up to my level, no matter how strong I am. Just the same with faith, I cannot bring Vincent to the level of my faith if he is not there; at that point he would be the one dragging me down. I could apply this with drinking, smoking, sexual immorality, stealing, lying, cheating..(etc.) So with that warning, just be there to help, love, challenge, and encourage them; don’t try to change them because that’s God place.

1.  Do you have any friends you can reach out to with the Love of Christ?

2.  How can you help them without being dragged down with them?

3.  Or maybe you’re the one who needs this kind of friend/help? (Don’t be afraid to ask any of the leaders in youth group to help you)-- Make sure you’re seeking godly counsel for any of your struggles; the point of this passage is directing the person to Christ. If you depend on your friend for help when they are struggling with the sin too, or if they are not strong in their faith, they won’t be much of a help for you. Seek friendships/help that will only bring you closer to Christ! Matt. 7:3-5

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Written by Sarah Davis