…he who turns a sinner from…error…will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins. (James 5:20)

Devon jerked to his feet and stomped from the pastor’s study, slamming the door behind him. How dare Pastor Rob tell him he had to stop drinking! He could stop anytime he wanted to. Christians were so judgmental! He sat behind the wheel of his car and took an angry swig from the bottle he always kept on the floorboard. Then, he floored the accelerator and plowed into a semi barreling down the highway. Devon did not live to find out if he could stop drinking anytime he wanted to.

Tears glistened in Mara’s eyes as she listened to her sister’s description of her weekend with her boyfriend. “Bess,” she murmured. “This lifestyle is not taking you where you want to be. You’ve already had two abortions that have broken your heart. God’s boundaries for sex are for our good, to protect us and help our relationships thrive. God wants to help you but you have to turn to Him and do it His way.” Bess broke into tears. “I’ve got to do something. I just found out I have an STD. I can’t go on like this.” Mara hugged her and breathed a prayer of thanksgiving. “I’m so glad,” she said. “Let me get my Bible.”

Giving and receiving correction can be a painful experience. We don’t like hearing correction and often, we don’t give it when we need to for fear of making someone angry. But James assures us that when we appeal to our loved ones and help them turn away from sin, we may be saving their lives and their souls for eternity. Godly rebuke helps us grow wise. And once we’re on the right path, we must never let fear stop us from speaking the truth that would help someone else grow wise.

Final Thought:  Who has helped turn you from error? Are you helping others turn from their destructive ways?

Prayer: Father, people have helped me learn truth and turn away from so many things that were destroying me. Now that I’m following you, give me courage to help other people see their error and learn to love the truth as I do. In Jesus’ name, Amen.