Restore such a one in the spirit of meekness, not ignore or condemn.
According to Les Feldick, when a believer is overtaken in gross sin, the church must not look the other way or jest. Instead, spiritual leaders are to confront the individual and seek restoration, following Galatians 6:1, doing so with meekness and prayer, ever mindful of their own vulnerability.
Galatians 6:1 — This verse directly commands spiritual believers to restore a person overtaken in a fault with meekness.
The Bible instructs believers to address sin within the church rather than ignore it. In 1 Corinthians 5, Paul rebukes the Corinthians for tolerating gross immorality and instructs them to judge those within the believing community. Similarly, Galatians 6:1 says, "Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted." This command to restore is paired with a warning against pride, as no one is immune to falling. Additionally, Galatians 6:2 urges believers to "Bear ye one another's burdens," which includes helping a struggling believer overcome sin. 1 John 5:16 also speaks of praying for a brother who sins, indicating a restorative approach.
Les Feldick emphasizes that Christians must not ignore gross sin within the church under the guise of "not judging." He points to 1 Corinthians 5, where Paul instructs the church to confront immorality openly rather than tolerate it. Using Galatians 6:1, Les teaches that "those who are spiritual"—especially church leaders—have the responsibility to restore the fallen believer, not with arrogance or harsh judgment, but with meekness, recognizing that anyone can fall. He criticizes the common reaction of joking or smiling about a believer's failure, stressing that such moments call for prayer, encouragement, and forgiveness. Les also notes the corporate nature of church discipline, as seen in 1 Corinthians 5:4, and the importance of dealing with sin rather than letting it fester. He underscores that the goal is always restoration, not condemnation, and that even the apostle Paul urged the church to forgive and continue loving the repentant sinner.
Les Feldick teaches that ignoring or making light of a believer's sin is wrong. He says the average Christian often smiles, jokes, or never considers that the person needs prayer, encouragement, and forgiveness (clip 1). He stresses that when sin is obvious, the church must take action rather than "turn the other way" and say "I can't judge" (clip 0). Believers must not wink at sin but deal with it and restore the person (clip 1).
Les Feldick clarifies that while we are not to judge the unsaved world, we are to judge those within the believing community. In 1 Corinthians 5:12-13, Paul asks, "Do not ye judge them that are within?" Les explains that when gross immorality is known, it must be confronted, not ignored (clip 0).
The proper attitude is meekness, not pride or arrogance. Galatians 6:1 instructs restoring "in the spirit of meekness, considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted." Les emphasizes that we must never approach a fallen believer as if "that could never happen to me," because anyone can fall (clips 2, 3). He warns that harsh judgment sets you up to be the next to fall (clip 4).
Les highlights that church leaders, especially those who are spiritual, have the duty to restore the fallen. He says the church must confront couples or individuals living in open sin, as a body, and not let them continue as though nothing is wrong (clip 5). This is a corporate responsibility, as Paul instructs in 1 Corinthians 5:4 (clip 5).
Les refers to 1 John 5:16, where John speaks of a sin that is not unto death and a sin that is unto death. He explains that for sins not as gross, believers should pray and God will give life. For deep, open sin, God mandates disciplinary action by the church to restore the person to fellowship. In extreme cases, God may even inflict sickness or death, but the goal remains restoration (clips 6, 7).
Judging Within the Beliving Community
Les explains that while we are not to judge the unsaved world, we must judge believers when there is gross sin, taking action instead of ignoring it.
Sin Should Not Be Joked About
Les criticizes the habit of smiling or joking about a believer's failure, emphasizing that the person needs prayer, encouragement, and forgiveness, and that we are to restore him.
Restoration with Meekness
Les stresses that those who are spiritual must restore a fallen believer with meekness, recognizing that anyone can fall into the same sin.
Avoid Pride in Restoration
Les warns against approaching restoration with arrogance, as if 'that could never happen to me,' because any believer can be tempted and fall.
Restore, Not Condemn
Les emphasizes that the goal is restoration, not kicking someone out, and that harsh judgment makes you the next to fall. He points to Paul's example of forgiveness and love.
Church Discipline as a Corporate Act
Les addresses how churches must confront open sin, such as couples living in sin, and that this is a corporate act of discipline, as per 1 Corinthians 5.
Prayer for a Sinning Brother
Les refers to 1 John 5:16, explaining that for sins not unto death, believers should ask and God will give life, indicating a restorative prayerful response.
Extreme Cases of Discipline
Les explains that in cases of gross open sin, God may inflict physical consequences, but the goal is the salvation of the spirit in the day of the Lord, and the church is guilty if it does nothing.
Galatians 6:1: Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.
The core command to restore a fallen believer with meekness and self-awareness.
Galatians 6:2: Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.
Supports the idea of helping fellow believers in their struggles, which ties into restoration.
1 Corinthians 5:12-13: For what have I to do to judge them also that are without? do not ye judge them that are within? But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person.
Shows that believers are to judge those within the church, not the world.
1 John 5:16: If any man see his brother sin a sin which is not unto death, he shall ask, and he shall give him life for them that sin not unto death. There is a sin unto death: I do not say that he shall pray for it.
Indicates that believers should pray for a sinning brother, distinguishing between sins.
No. Les Feldick teaches that when gross sin is known within the church, believers must confront it, not ignore it. While we are not to judge the unsaved world, we are to judge those within the believing community, as Paul instructs in 1 Corinthians 5.
It means to help the fallen believer return to fellowship and obedience, not to condemn or dismiss them. This restoration is to be done with meekness, recognizing that anyone can fall into the same sin.
No. Les criticizes this common reaction, saying it shows a lack of concern. Instead, believers should feel sorrow and be moved to pray for the person, offering encouragement and forgiveness.
Watch the Teaching: What the Bible Really Says About Judging Other Christians