I worked a job once in a production line producing wooden I-joists. In one position that I worked it was my job to grade the I-joists and remove any rejects. Once this was done I bundled the I-joists up and sent them to the final step of the process before becoming the finished product. For some reason over time it had become the culture to get mad at the guy throwing the I-joists away. So much so that this had influenced supervisors to do the same thing. It culminated in an intense conversation with my supervisor once. He asked me why I was throwing everything away. I told him because it was bad. I then proceeded to tell him that I did not make rejects at my position. The rejects were made earlier in the process and I was merely doing my job. I expressed that I was what stood between good or bad product getting out in a finished product. I told him if he wanted to fix the problem to go to the source of the problem and not me. It seemed to snap him back to reality. He had become blind to the fact that he was getting mad at me for doing what I was supposed to do. This was the last time he ever got mad at me for this. From this point on if I was throwing a bunch away, he would come see what it was and go to the source of the problem.
People don’t like being told that they are wrong, that’s just part of our makeup. People typically get defensive if they are told that they are wrong or that they have a problem that needs fixing. Unfortunately we see the same thing happen today with those who speak against sin. When anyone speaks against sin especially in someone’s personal life it is usually not received well. People tend to get angry if you point out sin in their lives. They want to begin to accuse the one speaking against sin. They want to get mad at them and call them judgmental or too strict. They want to do anything, but self-reflect and go to the source of the problem.
If you have someone that cares enough about you to stand between you and your final destination and point out things that you need to fix. Then you need to appreciate that person. They are doing what they are supposed to do. Paul writes them that sin rebuke (1 Timothy 5:20 KJV).
If you are standing in the gap between souls and their eternity, keep speaking against sin. Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. And of some have compassion, making a difference: And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh (Jude 1:21-23 KJV).
If sin is pointed out in your life. Don’t defend it, but repent therefore, and turn again, that your sins may be blotted out (Acts 3:19 WEB).
1 Corinthians 6:9+11 KJV Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.
Proverbs 28:13 NHEB He who conceals his sins doesn’t prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them finds mercy.