Sharing in Other People’s Sins

“Do not lay hands on anyone hastily, nor share in other people’s sins; keep yourself pure.”

This pertains to the question of our relationship to other people, and it begins immediately after we have made a stand on this point: crucified with Christ.

By being affiliated with one of the harlot’s assemblies, a person shares in her sins. Therefore the Scriptures state: “Come out of her, my people, lest you share in her sins, and lest you receive of her plagues.” Rev. 8:4. For this reason it is an act of mercy toward oneself to part ways with her.

By listening to one or another deceptive doctrine because you like it, you are sharing in the deception. Likewise, if someone comes with a strange doctrine in the church, it is not enough if you do not agree with it; it has to be opposed if you do not want to share in the deception. Rev. 2:14-16. Christ cleanses us from all unrighteousness. He wants a thorough cleansing just as the believer does if he has the right attitude.

This also applies to the laying on of hands. People like to act in their carnal zeal, but be sober and let the Spirit lead (so as not to share in other people’s sins) if that should be so.

Galatians 6:1 speaks about the same thing: “Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted.”

Someone is overtaken by a sin, for example, feeling offended. He meets a brother while he is in that spirit. Then this second brother must not be carried along by the other one, because he has sinned and has not judged the sin, the first brother is not in the right.

We must possess Jesus’ spirit of a servant and of sacrifice. Therefore the apostle says, “You who are spiritual,” because a carnal person could not do it. He would strengthen the other one and share in his sin.

The person who was overtaken by a sin must be considered as someone who has stepped across the barrier and must be carefully drawn up again so that he does not fall into the abyss. In the same way as we should be afraid to be dragged along outside the barrier, so we should be afraid to be drawn along by sin. And in the same way as it is good to help someone from falling over a cliff, so it is good to help someone who has been overtaken by sin to mend his ways.