We live in a time that sin is tolerated and accepted in many churches. There are many people, who call themselves Christians and go to a church while they live in sin. Due to a lack of spiritual knowledge in the church, people are unaware of the effect of sin on other people’s life and therefore they condone sin in the church. Can you be complicit in the sin of fellow believers (Christians) according to the Bible or not?
The spiritual transformation in the lives of Christians
When you believe in Jesus Christ and become born again in Him, you have been redeemed from your sinful nature and reconciled with God. You belong to the Body of Christ.
You’ve been transferred from the kingdom of darkness into the Kingdom of God, where Jesus Christ reigns.
You have become a son of God (this applies to both males and females) and belong to God and not to (the ruler of) the world anymore.
Through this spiritual change, your life in the natural will also change.
You shall no longer live after the lusts and desires of your flesh but after the will of the Spirit.
Therefore, you shall no longer represent the kingdom of the devil and empower his kingdom by walking in sin. But you shall represent and bring the Kingdom of God on this earth by walking in righteousness.
When you become born again, you automatically become a member of the church. The church is the assembly of believers and followers of Jesus Christ (Christians).
The church is the most powerful institution on earth
As long as the church is seated in Christ; in the Word and walks after the Spirit in the will of God, the church is the most powerful institution on this earth.
But… as soon as the church becomes carnal and starts walking after the flesh and adjusts the words in the Bible to the will, lusts, and desires of people, and puts the creation above the Creator, the church will no longer be a powerful institution, but a social institution, where there is little or no power at all.
If the church leaders don’t guard the spiritual gates of the church, the church will be taken and defiled by the world.
Unfortunately, this has already happened to a lot of churches. That’s why the world feels at home in many churches.
The devil’s attack on the church
The devil is aware of the spiritual power of the church. He does everything he can to disarm the church from God’s power. The only way to disarm the church of God’s power is through sin. Therefore the devil and his army’s way of attacking the church is to tempt Christians to sin, so that the church becomes powerless.
The devil knows that sin (which is disobedience to God and His words and obedience to the devil) separates the church from God and connects the church to the devil.
When the church is disconnected from God and connected to the devil, the church no longer operates on a spiritual level in the power of God, but on a carnal level in the power of the devil.
And so through the sin of people, the devil has full control and power over the church, despite the sacrifice of Jesus Christ.
There are Christians, who believe and say that they can walk in sin (disobedience to God and His Word) without any consequences. Because Jesus Christ has accomplished it all for them on the cross. It’s all grace.
But the people, who believe and say this, are not spiritual but carnal. They don’t understand what the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross, His resurrection from the dead, and the power of His blood really means.
Many Christians, who believe in Jesus Christ and repent, stay carnal and keep walking in sin. They don’t want to remove the works of the flesh, because they love doing the works of the flesh.
And they can have their way, because they are not corrected by fellow believers or by the church leaders. Because their fellow Christians are ‘afraid’ to admonish and correct them.
Christians are afraid to confront others about their sin
Most fellow believers are afraid to speak the truth of God and correct them. Why? Because they are afraid of rejection, being criticized, or being judged. Many believers are afraid of offending another person and causing the person to become angry or leave the church. They rather compromise and allow sin in the church than lose the church member.
Therefore fellow believers keep their mouths shut and conceal the sin, to please people and to keep the love and peace in the church.
Do you keep the love and peace, by keeping your mouth shut and condoning sin?
At least, that’s what they think. They think, that by showing respect for everyone’s life and by keeping their mouth shut and by not correcting the believers, who live in sin, they keep the love and peace. They think they walk in love and that they love their neighbor when they conceal his sin. (Read also: What does it really mean you shall love your neighbor as yourself?).
But loving your neighbor doesn’t mean accepting the sin of your neighbor.
If they keep their mouth shut and conceal the sin, they accept the works of the darkness that defile and destroy the church (the lives of believers). But not only in the lives of the believers but also in their own lives it will cause destruction.
Because when you see, that a fellow believer, who is part of the church lives in sin, which means that the person is habitually doing things that go against the will of God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit, and you don’t say anything, then the Bible says that you are complicit in the sin of your fellow believer.
When you tolerate sin of fellow believers, you will be complicit in the sin of fellow believers (an accomplice to sin).
Now let’s have a look at what the Bible says about being complicit in the sin of fellow believers. Let’s look at the effect of sin in the life of the sinner and the life of the accomplice.
Eli and the sins of his sons
Eli was a high priest, who had two sons: Hophni and Phinehas. However, Hophni and Phinehas were sons of Belial. They were evil and didn’t know the Lord, nor the sacrificial laws and the priest’s customs with the people. Because they sacrificed in their own manner and for their own use, which opposed the will of God. And so they sinned.
The sin of Hophni and Phinehas was very great before the Lord. Because of the way they acted, the people abhorred the offering for the Lord.
The behavior of Hophni and Phinehas ensured that God’s people not only despised the offering of the Lord but also made the people of God transgress and sin.
But that was not the only thing they did. Hophni and Phinehas also slept with the women, who assembled at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation.
When Eli heard, what his sons did to Israel, Eli asked his sons, why they were doing all these things.
Eli said, that if a man sin against another, that the judge would judge him, but if a man sin against the Lord, who shall entreat for him?
But despite Eli’s sayings, his sons were not willing to listen and repent of their evil works.
At that moment, Eli should have shown his love for God and taken the responsibility, which came with the office of high priest. Eli should have corrected his sons and should have put them out of the service of the Lord because they were not willing to listen and repent.
But Eli didn’t do that and let his sons have their way. Eli put the creations (his sons) above the Creator (God). Through his deed, he showed that his love for his sons was greater than his love for God.
Eli became complicit in the sins of his sons
Then a man of God came to Eli and spoke in the Name of the Lord. He showed Eli his misconduct, why he kicked at the Lord’s sacrifice and offerings, which the Lord had commanded in His habitation, and honored his sons above God, to make himself fat with the chiefest of all the offerings of His people.
Maybe you think, “ It’s unfair, that Eli was held accountable for the behaviour and deeds of his sons (the sins of his sons).”
But the fact is that Eli, who stood in God’s service, didn’t do the will of the Lord.
He didn’t put the precepts and commandments of God for the office of priest above his sons. But Eli let his sons go their way. Therefore Eli became complicit in the sin of his sons.
Eli didn’t love God above his sons. That’s why Eli didn’t correct his sons and didn’t put them out of office.
Instead, Eli allowed and accepted the behavior of his sons. By doing that, he accepted the sin and defiled the temple and the people of Israel.
Eli was a high priest and was responsible for judging the people of God and staying obedient to God’s law which represents His will. But because Eli didn’t take his responsibilities and wasn’t faithful to God and obedient to His will, God would no longer be with him and his house.
The Lord prophesied, through the mouth of the man of God, what would happen to his house. He would raise another faithful priest, who would walk after His heart and mind. As a sign, Hophni and Phinehas would die in one day (1 Samuel 2:27-36).
The spirit of Eli is in the church
All the words, that the Lord spoke over his house came to pass. Hophni and Phinehas died on the same day, during the battle with the Philistines. When Eli heard what happened and heard, that the Philistines took the ark of God, Eli fell backward from his seat. Eli broke his neck and died.
Eli had judged the people of Israel for 40 years, but he didn’t walk after the will of God and didn’t stay obedient to His words. Instead, Eli was led by his feelings and emotions. He put his sons above God and allowed the sins of his sons in the house of the Lord. Therefore he became complicit in the sin of his sons.
This spirit of Eli is active in many churches. Many churches place the people (creation) above God and His Word (Creator) and conceal, allow, and accept sin. The church leaders are carnal and are led by their feelings and emotions, instead of the Word of God (the Bible) and the Holy Spirit. Because they condone sin, they are complicit in the sin of the people.
The responsibility of the prophet Ezekiel
God had appointed the prophet Ezekiel as a watchman unto the house of Israel. But with this position came also a great responsibility.
Son of man, I have made thee a watchman unto the house of Israel: therefore hear the word at my mouth, and give them warning from me. When I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt surely die; and thou givest him not warning, nor speakest to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life; the same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand. Yet if thou warn the wicked, and he turn not from his wickedness, nor from his wicked way, he shall die in his iniquity; but thou hast delivered thy soul.
Again, When a righteous man doth turn from his righteousness, and commit iniquity, and I lay a stumblingblock before him, he shall die: because thou hast not given him warning, he shall die in his sin, and his righteousness which he hath done shall not be remembered; but his blood will I require at thine hand. Nevertheless if thou warn the righteous man, that the righteous sin not, and he doth not sin, he shall surely live, because he is warned; also thou hast delivered thy soul (Ezekiel 3:17-21)
There are many more examples in the Old Testament about being complicit in the sin of others (fellow believers) and what happens when you don’t warn fellow believers about their sins and correct them.
But let’s go to the New Testament. Let’s look at whether God’s will has changed in the New Covenant concerning sin and being complicit in the sin of fellow believers and becoming an accomplice to sin.
Has the will of God changed in the New Covenant as to being complicit in the sin of fellow believers?
There are Christians, who think that after the sacrifice and resurrection of Jesus Christ and the coming of the Holy Spirit, everything has changed. They believe that in the New Covenant, they can live the way they want to live. But that’s not true.
The words and will of Jesus are the words and will of the Father. The only thing that has changed is that Jesus took care of the sin problem; the rebellious sinful nature of fallen man (the old man) that causes man to sin.
Jesus took the place of fallen man and died on the cross in fallen man’s stead.
Jesus entered hell and after three days He rose as a Victor from the dead with the keys of hell and death. So that every person, who believes in Jesus Christ can become a New Creation, a son of God (this applies to both males and females), and be reconciled with God and walk as a son of God in obedience to the will of the Father.
But the grace of God and the sacrifice of Jesus Christ is not a permit to keep walking after the flesh in sin, in disobedience to God.
God’s grace may never be used to approve and accept sin in the lives of Christians, who are the church.
Because Jesus said, that you will do the will and works of your father.
Therefore if you keep walking in sin; in disobedience to God then you prove by your works that the devil is your father. But if you live in obedience to God and do His will, then you prove by your works that God is your Father (John 8:39-44; 10:25; 15:24). Remember, that these are the words of Jesus.
You will recognize the tree by its fruits
When you look at the fruit of a tree, you will see what kind of tree it is. When you pass by a tree with a sign that says ‘mulberry tree’, but you see apples growing on the tree. You know, that it’s not a mulberry tree, but an apple tree.
It’s the same with people, who call themselves Christians. They can call themselves, whatever they want, but their lives and works; the fruit they produce, testify who they are and to whom they belong: Jesus or the devil.
Ananias and Sapphira
Ananias and Sapphira were part of the first assembly of believers. The church was of one heart and one soul. No one said, that the things he possessed were his own, but they had all things in common. Those, who possessed lands or houses sold them and brought the prices of the things that were sold to the apostles and laid them at their feet. The apostles distributed according to everyone’s needs.
Ananias and Sapphira also belonged to the assembly of believers. Ananias had also sold his land. However, he kept part of the price to himself.
Ananias informed his wife Sapphira about what he had done, therefore she became an accomplice to his plan and complicit to his sin.
When Ananias went to the disciples to bring a certain part and laid it at the feet of the apostles, the Holy Spirit revealed to Peter what Ananias had done.
Peter confronted him with his evil behavior. Ananias disdained and lied to the Holy Spirit, by thinking that He didn’t know about his selfish plan.
Ananias thought, that God didn’t see anything, but God is omnipotent. God sees everything and knows every deed that comes forth out of the heart of people. Therefore God knew about Ananias’ wicked plan.
Peter said: “Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land? Whilst it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God” (Acts 5:3-4)
Ananias and Sapphira lied to the Holy Spirit and died
When Ananias heard these words he fell and died. Because of that, a great fear came upon all those who heard. The young men arose and buried Ananias.
Approximately three hours later, Ananias his wife, Sapphira, who knew about the sin of her husband, came. She didn’t know what happened to her husband. When she came in, Peter asked her: “Tell me whether you sold the land for so much?”
Sapphira could confess her sin, by telling Peter the truth. But Sapphira’s heart was evil, just like her husband’s heart. Therefore, she also lied to the Holy Spirit and tempted Him by confirming that she had received that specific amount of money. She became complicit in the sin of her husband and died (Acts 5:1-11)
You see that in the New Covenant God’s will concerning sin and complicity in sin has not changed. God’s will remains the same, Yesterday, Today, and Forevermore. Because God changes not.
Don’t become a partaker of other people’s sin
Paul commanded Timothy to not become a partaker of other people’s sins. That means that Timothy couldn’t allow and accept sin in the church. Because by condoning sin, he would automatically become a partaker of other people’s sin (1 Timothy 5:22)
Paul wrote to the saints in Ephesus, that they were not allowed to become partakers of the unfruitful works of the darkness (sin). Since the works of darkness oppose the will of God. But Paul commanded them to reprove the works of darkness instead (Ephesians 5:11).
The word ‘reprove’ is translated from the Greek word ‘elénchõ’. Elénchõ means, of uncertain affinity; to confute, admonish: – convict, convince, tell a fault, rebuke, reprove*.
Christians, who condone sin, become complicit in the sin of fellow believers and partakers of sin
Christians, who allow and condone the sin of fellow believers, who live in sin, become complicit in the sin of fellow believers and partakers of their sin. The devil comes with his lies, and uses the so-called love, to tolerate and accept sin.
But by accepting sin, the church becomes spiritually defiled by sin and the darkness.
This becomes visible in the lives of the people, who no longer walk after the Spirit according to the Word in the will of God, but after the flesh according to the words of man and the will of the flesh.
They live after the lusts and desires of their flesh and keep doing those things that they want to do and what pleases them.
They are full of pride and don’t let anyone tell them what to do, not even Jesus and the Father.
Therefore, they don’t submit to God and don’t obey the words of Jesus and don’t do His will. Instead, they rebel against the Word and do those things, that oppose God’s will.
Christians, who tolerate and condone sin accept the works of the devil and darkness and allow the gates of hell to prevail.
And this is love, that we walk after His commandments. This is the commandment, That, as ye have heard from the beginning, ye should walk in it (2 John 1: 6)
If you truly walk in the love of God and love one another, then you do His will and walk in His commandments.
It is the will of God that everyone will be delivered from sin and death and be saved
It is the will of God that everyone will be redeemed from the power of sin and death and be saved. That’s why God still warns every day through His Word and His Spirit and calls the people to repentance and the removal of sin.
The followers of Jesus Christ, who are born of God and have the Holy Spirit abiding in them, shall do the same. They are not trying to condemn people or shame them by confronting them with their sins and warning and correcting them. But they don’t want any soul to be lost and burn in hell!
That’s why true Christians stand on the Word and warn the church (the assembly of believers) to put away sin and to walk holy in righteousness. That is the true love of God! Because sin, which is disobedience to God, means bondage to the devil and death. Sin leads to death and not to eternal life (a.o. Romans 6:23; 8:13 (Read also: Shall you not die if you keep sinning?))
It is the task of every believer and follower of Jesus Christ, to not only comfort the feeble-minded, support the weak, and be patient toward all men, but also to warn those, who are unruly; those who rebel against the Word of God and are disobedient to His will (1 Th 5:14).
So that they have the ability to repent and be delivered from the power of sin, the devil, and the death.
‘Be the salt of the earth’
*Strong’s Concordance
