Overtaken

“Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.” (Galatians 6:1)

“Overtaken in a fault” would be better transliterated as being caught off guard by sin resulting in a momentary lapse of judgment. Every Christian has found himself in this position at one time or another. We have momentary lapses of judgement for a variety of reasons. Heightened emotions have a tendency to overrule the mind, body and spirit. Our emotions can cause us to pause clear thought and stir up passions that taint and paint our spirit an unrighteous hue. This is why Paul gives us the following warning.

“Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: Neither give place to the devil.” (Ephesians 4:26-27)

While some may interpret anger as being the sin, it is rather that anger can be the gateway for sin. Our emotions can have sway over our spirit. That’s why Paul says, “Don’t give place to the devil”. Anger can do this, but so can other emotions such as love. Who hasn’t attempted to cover up a sin of a loved one or excuse and defend their indiscretions?

When emotions overrule the spirit causing someone to do something violent, law enforcement calls it a crime of passion. Inflamed and heightened emotions can penetrate to the bone and permeate the spirit and soul.

Time may heal all wounds, but it also can strengthen and ingrain emotions into our very soul. Allowing bad emotions to stay and fester can change our essence, nature, and being. Don’t give place to the devil. He tends to stay and set up shop.

The man overtaken by fault is a restoration project, not a renovation, demolition or rebuild. There’s no need to come with bulldozer and wrecking ball. A feather duster and maybe a dab of paint will do.

“Ye which are spiritual.…in the spirit of meekness”.

I love Thayer’s Greek Lexicon definition of spiritual. It is the, “part of the man which is akin to God and serves as his instrument or organ”.

Vine’s Greek Lexicon goes on to say, “The spiritual state is reached by diligence in the Word of God and in prayer; it is maintained by obedience and self-judgment. Such as are led by the Spirit are spiritual, but, of course, spirituality is not a fixed or absolute condition, it admits of growth; indeed growth in 'the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,' 2Pe 3:18, is evidence of true spirituality."

A little caveat here. Did you notice that the “spiritual state is reached by diligence in the Word of God and in prayer”? We have control over our spiritual condition, state and being. We can increase spiritually as well as do the opposite.

“And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets.” (1 Corinthians 14:32)

We are to come to the man overtaken in a fault in the spirit of meekness. Meekness is often thought of as a position of weakness. But it is true strength in that meekness is directed power that’s all under control.

Think about this for a moment. You, as a child of God and blessed of His full benefits; kin to the most High, and as an extension of God, in servitude through His love and grace, come to the fallen, not in righteous indignation, but in the spirit of meekness, love, and grace. There is none lower than the meek and none but one higher.

The power is unlimited, supreme and divine.

“Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me (Jesus), the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father. And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.” (John 14:12-14)

Only the meek and humble of God could handle such power. The rash, selfish, angry, and the proud would only destroy themselves and all around them. Maybe the reason why the meek shall inherit the earth (Matthew 5:5) is not so much as a reward but rather given as a responsibility.

Paul gives probably the best advice at the end of this verse. “…considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.”

We are dealing with someone who unexpectedly fell for some temptation. Be careful that you yourself don’t do likewise. The meek will never believe that they are above any sin or temptation, realizing that we are all susceptible to them.

The meek are truly the most powerful for they are the most respectful and mindful of every vice and virtue. They know nothing can be taken for granted because there will always be a little David ready and able to defeat a warrior king like Goliath. Although the meek are not impervious to sin, they are least likely to be overtaken by it. This is why Paul said that we should be in the spirit of meekness when interacting with sin and the sinner.

Bill Hitchcock