HELEN SANDERS
1-28-2026
DEALING WITH SIN IN THE CAMP

Years ago, a young woman came to me and wanted advice about talking to a friend of hers that she believed was not right with God. She said there were six or seven people that wanted to confront her. I told her that doing that was not scriptural. I took her to Matthew 18 that gives us instruction for dealing with “sin in the camp.”

Matthew 18:15 says, “Moreover if thy brother [another Christian] shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between THEE AND HIM alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother.”

Notice it does not say that six or seven people bombard another person that has sinned. You are to go “one-on-one.”

Matthew 18:16 deals with the situation if the person that sinned will not listen to you. It says, “But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in THE MOUTH OF TWO OR THREE WITNESSES EVERY WORD MAY BE ESTABLISHED.” [Deuteronomy 19:15; John 8:17]. Remember we are to go as ambassadors of reconciliation, not legalistic hammers to beat someone with their sin.

Then, if this person still refuses to hear and repent verse 17 says, “And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglects to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.” This step is not taken until the other two steps have been taken. We are to be ambassadors of reconciliation, not looking for an opportunity to destroy someone. Satan is the destroyer.

This is the scriptural way to deal with sin in the camp. The person that asked for advice did not like my advice. I do not know if she took the “gang” with her to pounce on the other woman or not. I do know that later in life this woman that came to me became very ill. I often wondered if this sickness came because she did not handle that other situation properly.

Love should always be our motivation to help someone overcome sin. Galatians 6:1 says, “Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual [not walking in sin], restore such an one in the spirit of meekness [humbleness] considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.”