Church Discipline Mt18:16-17 Lv19:17 Ezk3:18, Repentance from Sin, Salvation Rev3:19, Little One Not to Stumble Mk 9:42, God's Will Next Steps...

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Church obey Christ's Word on exercising church discipline (toward the goal from beginning of salvation and repentance, Mt 18:15, James 5:20), but also would be warned about bloodguilt of silence Ezek 3:18-19, Acts 20:26-29, warns female spouse out of genuine concern and love for lost, Mt18:16-17 Lk17:3 Lv19:17, 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 death” 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.

We still believe the kindness of God leads us to repentance Rom 2:4, but we know those You rebuke and discipline those You love so they are zealous and repent, Rev 3:19, and keep "little ones from stumbling" Matt 18:6, so WE now ask The Church obeys Jesus and "open rebuke" Luke 17:3, "Watch yourselves. If your brother sins, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him." And, "If they don't listen to you (Matt 18:15, which she has not), bring along 2 or 3 others (Matt 18:16, which we did with our home group leaders, and she left the next day), if the person does not hear them, bring it to the church, Matt 18:17... Leviticus 19:17, Ezekiel 3:18-19, Prov 24:11-12

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, the male spouse.

 

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We come before the Lord with heavy hearts, burdened by the weight of this situation and the spiritual danger it presents, not only to the one involved but to the family and the body of Christ. The Scriptures are clear that sin, especially persistent unrepentant sin, is not to be ignored or treated lightly. As it is written, "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 your brother. But if he doesn’t 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. If he refuses to hear the assembly also, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector" (Matthew 18:15-17). This is not an act of judgment but of love, for "open rebuke is better than hidden love" (Proverbs 27:5), and "those whom I love, I reprove and discipline" (Revelation 3:19).

The immorality described here, particularly while married, is a grievous violation of God’s design for marriage, which is a covenant before Him. "Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor male prostitutes, nor homosexuals, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor slanderers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God" (1 Corinthians 6:9-10). The online profiles mentioned are a snare, a doorway to further sin, and must be removed as an act of repentance and protection. "But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars, they will be consigned to the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death" (Revelation 21:8). We must not shrink from warning her, for "if anyone causes one of these little ones, those who believe in me, to stumble, it would be better for them if a large millstone were hung around their neck and they were thrown into the sea" (Mark 9:42).

Yet even in this, our hearts must be broken with compassion, for "the Lord is not slow concerning his promise, as some count slowness; but is patient with us, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance" (2 Peter 3:9). We plead with the Lord to soften her heart, to convict her of sin by the Holy Spirit, and to lead her to true repentance. "Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, forbearance and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance?" (Romans 2:4). We also pray for the spouse and child, that they would be shielded from harm, strengthened in faith, and given wisdom to navigate this trial without compromising their own moral stance.

We rebuke the deception and hardness of heart that has taken root, for "Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light" (2 Corinthians 11:14), and his schemes are to steal, kill, and destroy (John 10:10). We declare that no weapon formed against this family shall prosper (Isaiah 54:17) and that the Lord will expose every hidden thing done in darkness (Luke 8:17). We also rebuke the spirit of passivity in the church that would rather remain silent than risk offense, for "if I say to the wicked, ‘You shall surely die,’ and you give him no warning, nor speak to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life; the same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood I will require at your hand" (Ezekiel 3:18).

Father, we ask that You would intervene in power. Bring this sister to her knees in godly sorrow, not worldly regret (2 Corinthians 7:10). Let her see the gravity of her sin and the mercy available in Christ. If she will not listen to the warnings of her family or the church, then let her be removed from fellowship as a last resort, that she might come to her senses as the prodigal son did (Luke 15:17-18). Protect the child from moral confusion, and give the spouse grace to stand firm in faith without bitterness. We pray for the church to act with courage, wisdom, and love, not shrinking from its duty to discipline for the sake of restoration. May this trial ultimately bring glory to You, as You work all things together for good for those who love You (Romans 8:28).

We ask all these things in the mighty name of Jesus Christ, the only name by which we are saved (Acts 4:12), the One who died to break the power of sin and rose to give us new life. Without Him, we can do nothing (John 15:5), but with Him, all things are possible (Matthew 19:26). May Your will be done, and may Your kingdom come in this situation. Amen.

 

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We lift this sister up to You, Lord, knowing that Your heart aches for her just as ours does. We see the deception and the hardness of her heart, but we also see the child who is being influenced by this sin, we can’t bear to think of them stumbling after her. Lord, we pray for her online presence to be removed, not just as a discipline but as an act of love, to pull her back from the brink before she falls further.

We ask for Your Spirit to work in her heart like fire, consuming the lies, exposing the darkness, and leaving only repentance behind. But Lord, we also pray for the spouse and the child, give them strength to stand firm, wisdom to speak truth in love, and protection from the spiritual warfare that surrounds this. Let the spouse not be hardened by bitterness but filled with grace, and let the child see purity and holiness modeled in their home.

We confess that we’ve been afraid to speak openly, but You’ve called us to rebuke with gentleness and truth. Lord, give us the courage to act when we must, but also the patience to wait on You for the right moment. May this not be about punishment, but about restoration, like the prodigal’s father, waiting for her to come home.

And Lord, we pray for the church, help us not to shrink back in fear of offense. Give us boldness to act in love, to warn, to discipline, and to lift this sister up in prayer until she turns. May Your will be done in this, and may Your name be glorified as You bring her to repentance.

In Jesus’ name, we trust You. Amen.