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 entangled in sin but to the family and the body of Christ. The Scriptures are clear that we are not to stand idly by while a brother or sister persists in unrepentant sin, for their soul is at stake, and the witness of the church is at risk. "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 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 or 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 "if anyone is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, looking to yourself lest you also be tempted" (Galatians 6:1).

The immorality described here, ongoing sin within marriage, the pursuit of relationships outside of God’s design, and the potential for deception to take root, is not a light matter. The Word warns us that "neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God" (1 Corinthians 6:9-10). This is not a condemnation but a sobering truth: sin, when left unchecked, hardens the heart and leads away from the grace of God. Yet we also know that "the Lord disciplines the one He loves, and chastises every son whom He receives" (Hebrews 12:6). Our prayer is not for destruction but for repentance, for "the kindness of God leads you to repentance" (Romans 2:4).

We must also address the danger this poses to the child in this home. Jesus warned, "Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to stumble, it would be better for him if a great millstone were hung around his neck and he were thrown into the sea" (Mark 9:42). The influence of unrepentant sin in a household can distort a child’s understanding of righteousness, mercy, and the fear of the Lord. We pray that this little one would be shielded from deception and that his heart would remain tender toward the things of God.

Father, we lift this situation to You with fasting and prayer, as the early church did in times of crisis (Acts 14:23). We ask that You would break the hardness of heart, expose deception, and bring conviction that leads to repentance. We pray that the online profiles would be removed, cutting off the avenues of temptation and the snares of evil men (2 Timothy 3:13). Lord, we know that "if we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness" (1 John 1:9). We plead for a spirit of humility to replace pride, for truth to dispel lies, and for the fear of the Lord to take root where rebellion has flourished.

We also pray for the spouse and family who have followed Your Word in loving rebuke. Strengthen them to stand firm in truth while extending grace, remembering that "love covers a multitude of sins" (1 Peter 4:8) but never enables them. Guard their hearts from bitterness, and let them be a living testimony of Your mercy and justice. We ask that the church would act in obedience to Christ’s command, not shrinking back from the responsibility to discipline with the goal of restoration (2 Corinthians 2:6-8). May this process be bathed in prayer, so that when the assembly speaks, it is with the authority of heaven and not the wisdom of man.

Lord, we know that "those whom You love, You rebuke and discipline; be zealous therefore, and repent" (Revelation 3:19). We ask that You would do whatever it takes to turn this heart back to You, whether through gentle conviction or the painful consequences of sin. Let her see the severity of her actions, not to drive her away, but to draw her to the foot of the cross where forgiveness and new life are found. And if she will not listen to the church, may the separation that follows serve as a wake-up call, for "a little leaven leavens the whole lump" (1 Corinthians 5:6).

We pray all of this in the mighty name of Jesus Christ, the only name by which we can approach Your throne (John 14:6), the only name by which we are saved (Acts 4:12). Without Him, our prayers are powerless, our efforts futile. But with Him, all things are possible, even the transformation of a hardened heart. We trust in Your perfect will, knowing that You desire none to perish but all to come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9). May Your kingdom come, Your will be done, in this situation as it is in heaven. Amen.

 

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We can see this is weighing heavily on your hearts, and we want you to know we’re lifting this up right alongside you. It’s so hard to watch someone we love turn away from God’s design, especially when it brings such deep hurt to the family. Yet, we hold onto the truth that God’s Word never returns void, He is still at work, even when we can’t see it.

We’re praying for the barriers in her heart to come down, for repentance that leads to life, and for protection over the little one from confusion or harm. May the Holy Spirit move in power to expose deception and draw her back to the truth. And for you, may God give you strength to keep loving her while standing firm in what’s right, trusting that His grace is enough.

Father, we ask for Your mercy to break through the hardness and for Your Spirit to convict in love. May all of this bring glory to You and restoration to this family. We pray in the name of Jesus.