Dealing with Mistakes

Dealing with Mistakes

February 18, 2007

Introduction

How do we deal with mistakes? It is interesting to put mistakes in a computer Bible program. The word mistakes does not occur in the KJV nor the NKJV, but mistake and mistaken occur a few times, and a few times in other versions of the Bible. We won’t take time read all of these verses, but let’s take one example:

(Gen 43:12 NASB) "And take double the money in your hand, and take back in your hand the money that was returned in the mouth of your sacks; perhaps it was a mistake. The New King James translates it this way: (Gen 43:12 NKJV) "Take double money in your hand, and take back in your hand the money that was returned in the mouth of your sacks; perhaps it was an oversight.

In our study today, we are not considering “mistakes” of such minor significance that they might be termed an oversight. We are considering things much more serious than this. The mistakes that we want to discuss today come two ways: Yours, and mine. We could add the way we feel sometimes, yours are serious, and mine are minor. We may think that way sometimes, but this morning we are looking at mistakes that are serious, whether they are yours or mine, but they affect us differently.

Body

I. How am I to handle wrongs that are mine?

A. Something needs to cause us to realize we have done something wrong.

1. Let’s hope the something is our conscience which has been trained to know good and evil.

(Heb 5:14 NKJV) But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

2. In other cases, it may be someone who calls our wrongs to our attention.

a. It could be a preacher such as Peter.

(Acts 2:36-37 NKJV) "Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ." {37} Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, "Men and brethren, what shall we do?"

b. It could simply be someone who knows us, and we’ll discuss this in a moment.

B. We then need to make an effort to make things right.

1. We need to go to the one we have wronged.

(Mat 5:23-24 NKJV) "Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, {24} "leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.

a. We need to confess our faults to those whom we have wronged.

(James 5:16 NASB) Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another, so that you may be healed. The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much.

b. Our confession needs to be as public as the sin.

Confession does something. It is an acknowledgment and an indication of repentance that we want to make a change for the better.

(1 John 1:8-9 NKJV) If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. {9} If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

2. There is a difference between confessing sin and confessing that I have sinned.

a. (Rom 3:23 NKJV) for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

b. I know of one member who confessed to being out of duty by missing services, and wanted to be restored to the fellowship of the church. I think that is a very appropriate confession.

c. Confessions are never pleasant to make, but often encouragement comes with them.

II. How am I to handle wrongs that are someone else’s?

A. Am I just to look the other way?

1. It is embarrassing to confront someone about sin.

2. It is certainly easier to do nothing.

B. What does the Bible say?

1. What if someone has sinned against you?

(Mat 18:15-18 NKJV) "Moreover if your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he hears you, you have gained your brother. {16} "But if he will not hear, take with you one or two more, that 'by the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.' {17} "And if he refuses to hear them, tell it to the church. But if he refuses even to hear the church, let him be to you like a heathen and a tax collector. {18} "Assuredly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.

2. What if he has done wrong and you know it, but the wrong isn’t against you personally?

a. Paul speaks in general terms: “if a man is overtaken in any trespass”

(Gal 6:1 NKJV) 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.

b. James puts it this way: “if anyone among you wanders from the truth,”

(James 5:19-20 NKJV) Brethren, if anyone among you wanders from the truth, and someone turns him back, {20} let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save a soul from death and cover a multitude of sins.

c. Paul also asked those at Philippi to help two women who were at odds with each other.

(Phil 4:1-3 NKJV) Therefore, my beloved and longed-for brethren, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, beloved. {2} I implore Euodia and I implore Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord. {3} And I urge you also, true companion, help these women who labored with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the Book of Life.

Conclusion

I. How important is it to be right with our fellow members of the church?

II. If one is not a Christian, he deals with mistakes in a different way.

A. You need to repent of your past life.

B. Then you need to confess your faith in Christ and be baptized into Him for the forgiveness of your sins.

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