We hear your deep burden for this sister in Christ, and we stand with you in fervent prayer and biblical obedience. The matter of church discipline is not one we take lightly, for it is a commandment of our Lord Jesus Christ, given for the restoration of the straying sheep and the purity of His bride. Your concern reflects a heart that trembles at Godās Word, and we join you in seeking His will with humility and urgency.
First, we must affirm that the steps outlined in Matthew 18:15-17 are not optional but a divine prescription for handling sin within the body of Christ. You have followed this process faithfully, first approaching her privately, then with witnesses, and now preparing to bring the matter before the church. This is as it should be, for Scripture declares, "If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained back your brother. But if he doesnāt listen, take one or two more with you, that at the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the assembly" (Matthew 18:15-17 WEB). The goal is always repentance and restoration, but if she remains hardened, the church must act in obedience to Christās command.
Your concern for her soul is evident, and we share your grief over the immorality being committed, particularly within the covenant of marriage. Scripture is clear: "Or donāt you know that the unrighteous will not inherit Godās Kingdom? Donāt be deceived. Neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor male prostitutes, nor homosexuals, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor slanderers, nor extortionists, will inherit Godās Kingdom" (1 Corinthians 6:9-10 WEB). Adultery is a grievous sin, and the Lord does not take it lightly. The warning in Revelation 21:8 is sobering: "But for the cowardly, unbelieving, sinners, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their part is in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death." We must not shrink from declaring the whole counsel of God, even when it is difficult.
We also share your burden for the child in this situation. Jesusā words in Mark 9:42 are a solemn warning: "Whoever will cause one of these little ones who believe in me to stumble, it would be better for him if he were thrown into the sea with a millstone hung around his neck." The influence of unrepentant sin in a home is a stumbling block, and we must pray fervently for the protection of this young oneās heart and mind. The church must act not only to call the mother to repentance but also to shield the child from moral harm.
Your mention of her online profiles is a critical point. In this digital age, the temptations and opportunities for sin are multiplied, and we must pray for her to remove any stumbling blocks that lead her further into darkness. The apostle Paul exhorts us, "Flee sexual immorality! āEvery sin that a man does is outside the body,ā but he who commits sexual immorality sins against his own body" (1 Corinthians 6:18 WEB). We must pray that she would heed this warning and turn from every avenue that draws her away from Christ.
We also note your concern for the bloodguilt of silence, as Ezekiel 3:18-19 warns: "When I tell the wicked, āYou shall surely die;ā and you give him no warning, nor speak to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life; that same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at your hand." This is a weighty responsibility, and we must not falter in speaking the truth in love, even when it is met with resistance. The church must not shrink from its duty to rebuke sin, for the sake of the one in error and for the sake of the body of Christ.
Yet even as we stand firm on Godās Word, we must also cling to the hope of repentance. The kindness of God leads to repentance (Romans 2:4), and we must pray that her heart would be softened by the Holy Spirit. Revelation 3:19 reminds us, "As many as I love, I reprove and chasten. Be zealous therefore, and repent." We must pray that she would hear the Lordās rebuke and turn from her sin, that she might be restored to fellowship with Christ and His church.
We also lift up your own hearts in this matter. Galatians 6:1-2 exhorts us, "Brothers, even if a man is caught in some fault, you who are spiritual must restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; looking to yourself so that you also arenāt tempted. Bear one anotherās burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ." This is a heavy burden, and we pray that you would be strengthened by the Lord as you walk in obedience. Do not grow weary in doing good, for in due season you will reap if you do not faint (Galatians 6:9).
Let us now come before the throne of grace together in prayer:
Heavenly Father, we come before You with heavy hearts, seeking Your mercy and Your justice. We lift up this sister who has strayed from Your commands, and we ask that You would break the hardness of her heart. Lord, we know that Your kindness leads to repentance, and we pray that she would feel the weight of her sin and turn to You in genuine repentance. Remove every stumbling block from her path, every online profile, every ungodly influence, every lie that she has believed. Guard her heart and mind, and draw her back to Yourself.
We also pray for the church, Lord. Give us the courage to speak the truth in love, even when it is difficult. Help us to follow the steps You have laid out in Your Word, not out of a spirit of judgment, but out of a deep love for Your people and a desire to see them walk in holiness. Protect the church from bloodguilt, and give us wisdom to know how to proceed in this matter.
Father, we pray for the child in this situation. Shield him from the influence of sin, and surround him with godly examples. Give him a heart that seeks You, and protect his innocence. May he grow up to know and love You, undeterred by the stumbling blocks around him.
Lord, we also pray for those who are carrying this burden. Strengthen them, and fill them with Your peace. Remind them that their labor in the Lord is not in vain. Give them the gentleness and humility to restore this sister if she repents, and the boldness to stand firm if she does not.
We ask all these things in the mighty name of Jesus Christ, the only name by which we can come before You. It is through His blood that we have access to Your throne, and it is by His authority that we pray. May Your will be done in this situation, and may Your name be glorified. Amen.
We encourage you to continue in prayer and fasting, trusting that the Lord hears the cries of His people. Do not grow weary, for the Lord is faithful, and He will accomplish His purposes. If this sister does not repent, the church must act in obedience to Matthew 18:17, but even then, the door of repentance remains open. Keep your hearts tender toward her, and continue to pray for her restoration. The Lord is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, and we trust Him to work in this situation for His glory.
Church is humble, contrite and trembles at God's Word, Isa 66:2, on exercising church discipline (toward the goal of obdience to all He commanded, Matt 28:20, beginning of salvation and repentance, Mt 18:15, James 5:20). Also would be warned about bloodguilt of silence Ezek 3:18-19, Acts 20:26-29, warns female spouse out (and others in open sin) out of fear of God, genuine concern, and love for lost, Mt 18:16-17 Lk 17:3 Lv 19:17, family also obeys God and warns Gal 6:1. Practicing immorality excludes from kingdom 1 Cor 6:9 Rev 21:8 Gal 5:19-20, New Testament forewarns exclusion from entrance into kingdom of God, Gal 5:21...
Father, we're concerned but praying, as it is written, "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and petition with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus," Phil 4:6-7. Jesus said Mt 6:13 pray for others "Lead US not into temptation but deliver us from evil," -- Thank You it's plural -- i.e., we pray for each other Eph 6:18. Prevent sin, Mt 18:6: let her take down her online profiles to protect her from sin, "But the sexually immoral and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second deathā Rev 21:8. Let it come down to keep her from evil men, 2 Thes 3:2 for evil men and imposters proceed from bad to worst (in the last days) 2 Tim 3:13.
Knowing her disposition, deception and hardness of heart, we thank You this request and its follow through has been and must still be mingled with prayer, fasting and intense mercy, yet not so as to lose the stern frankness and danger to herself and others by continuing in immorality at all, especially while married, Rom 7:2-3, 1 Cor 6:9-10, Rev 2:20, Rev 3:19, Rev 21:8 -- and by endangering the child and softening his moral stance, Matt 18:6, Mk 9:42, Lk 17:2, Rev 18:21. Galatians 6:1 "Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a trespass, you who are spiritual should restore him with a spirit of gentleness. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted." Thank You in for hearing prayer in Your will, and when You hear, we have the requests, 1 Jn 5:14-15, in Jesus' Name. Surely with thanksgiving we make our requests known, that the peace of God that passes understanding may guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus, Phil 4:6-7, Amen, 2 Cor 1:20
