Point Out Someone’s Faults (in a Christ-like Way)

If your brother or sister sins, go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over.

Matthew 18:15

“Go and point out someone’s faults.” In our world, plenty of people seem more than happy to do that!

Especially online. Someone says or does something wrong, and suddenly thousands of people pile on. Unflattering pictures are posted. Words are pulled out of context. People seem almost to enjoy exposing, embarrassing, and condemning someone they believe is in the wrong.

Jesus does tell us to point out faults, especially within . . . . the family of faith. But he teaches us to do it in a very different way.

“Just between the two of you,” he says. Not before an audience. Not to humiliate. Not to make ourselves look better.

We go in personal humility. The same Jesus who tells us to confront sin also tells us first to look for the plank in our own eye. We're sinners speaking to fellow sinners.

Most importantly, Jesus gives us the goal, “You have won them over.” The purpose is not to win an argument but to win someone over and bring them to God’s grace. Jesus himself called sinners to repentance so that they might know the forgiveness and grace found in him.

We might hesitate to have these conversations because they’re uncomfortable or because we’re afraid we could go about them the wrong way. Begin by remembering how Christ has dealt with you in truth, patience, mercy, and forgiveness.

Then, in that same spirit, go. Honest, humble, grace-filled conversations can be difficult. But God can use them to bring healing, repentance, forgiveness, and spiritual good.