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James 5¹⁹ Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him;  ²⁰ Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins. 

• Brethren, if any of you err
• Here we see the possibility and the root cause for a believer’s backsliding. s before a fall,  even in our spiritual life.

 James, is speaking to all the believers, ‘brethren’ implying men and women. He says ‘if any of you’, which means it is possible to happen to any believer. The enemy walks around like a roaring lion seeing whom he may devour. Therefore the scripture exhorts us to be humble and careful, and never walk in overconfidence. Pride goe

1 Corinthians 10¹² Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.

Galatians 6 ¹Brethren, 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.

Many times it is our overconfidence and self reliance, that is the cause of our failures. It is only when we realize our vulnerability and weakness, that we depend on Him who is able to keep us from falling and that is our victory. We can do all things through Him. And we only depend on Him when we realize that we by ourselves are weak. We must realize our flesh is weak, though our spirit may be willing and it is only God who can give us victory. Matthew 26 ⁴¹ Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.

Even the Lord Jesus Hebrews 5 ⁷ Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared; 

If we realize we are weak and depend on God through prayer, to give us his strength, courage, wisdom, encouragement, comfort, we can face every situation of life and come out victorious. Christian let us realize that we are but dust and that in us dwells no good thing and apart from the grace of God, we would be lost. Let us be humble and always look to God. Make time for prayer from time to time and keep asking Him to lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. He is able. 

• Err from the truth

This is the root cause of all error. All error is actually turning away from the truth. That is how Satan deceived Adam and Even. God’s Word is truth and all error is ignorance or disobedience of God’s Word.

Hosea 4⁶ My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children.

Matthew 22²⁹ Jesus answered and said unto them, Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God.

Hebrews 3¹⁰ Wherefore I was grieved with that generation, and said, They do alway err in their heart; and they have not known my ways. 

This is the root cause of a believer’s sin. He is either ignorant of what God’s Word teaches, or has forgotten it or has willfully opened himself to the lies of the enemy by lusting after evil things.

A believer’s mind can be clouded with some lust, that he will not pay any attention to the Word of God and its warnings.  It is only after failing that he realizes what a fool he have been to let the devil trick him. Look at Balaam, a prophet and see how he erred from the truth. Jude 1¹¹ Woe unto them! … and ran greedily after the error of Balaam for reward,... He was blinded by the love of money and couldn’t even discern a donkey’s rebuke.

1 Timothy 6¹⁰ For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

Look at Saul, the chosen of God and how he was so filled with gaining the approval and appreciation of people that He forgot God’s command. Look at David, a man after God’s own heart and how he was so filled with lust that he committed adultery and murder and it was much later that he came to his senses.  

Christian we should always keep reading the Word of God and listening to it! Blessed are those who hear and keep the Word of God! Read your Bible daily. Prayerfully. If the message you heard from the beginning remain in you, you will abide in Christ 1 Jn.2.24. 

That is what will happen in the last days. 1 Timothy 4¹Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;  ² Speaking lies in hypocrisy;

That is the reason we are to test the spirit and messages to see if they are form God. The spirit of anti Christ is called the spirit of error. 1 John 4⁶ Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.

Satan is trying to take control of Bible schools, pulpits and preachers, and keep them from the truth and from preaching the truth. And many in the last days will fill their minds with ungodly lusts and not like to hear the truth. 2 Timothy 4 ³ For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;  ⁴ And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.

Christian though it may be painful and even directed at our pet sins and passions, let us be open to know what God has to say. People actually preferred to listen to deceits rather that the truth that could correct and save them. Isaiah 30¹⁰ Which say to the seers, See not; and to the prophets, Prophesy not unto us right things, speak unto us smooth things, prophesy deceits:  ¹¹ Get you out of the way, turn aside out of the path, cause the Holy One of Israel to cease from before us.

Let us not choose delusions and pleasant words that deceive us. 

• Convert him

How can one who has gone away be converted?

First of all through the truth i.e. god’s Word. The person should be shown the truth from the scripture. That is when sinners are converted. When they realize what God says and who He is. The truth will set us free.

Psalm 19 ⁷ The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.

Psalm 119⁹ Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word.

Isaiah 29 ²⁴ They also that erred in spirit shall come to understanding, and they that murmured shall learn doctrine.

If we want a change of heart it happens through the word of God. It is only the truth that can set us free. 

Secondly through prayer. The Spirit of God applies the word of God to the sinners heart.

John 16 ⁸ And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: And therefore we must pray for the conversion of sinners.

We must pray that God should forgive them 1 John 5 ¹⁶ If any man see his brother sin a sin which is not unto death, he shall ask, and he shall give him life for them that sin not unto death.

Pray that God should give them an opportunity to heart the truth 1 Tim.2.4

And that God should reveal His truth to their heart Eph.1.18. 

Thirdly sinners are converted through the patience, love and humility of the teachers of God’s word. Nothing may seem to happen but God’s servants or those who are working for the conversion of their loved one should lovingly and patiently walk with them.

2 Timothy 2²⁴ And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient,  ²⁵ In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;

2 Timothy 4 ² Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.

Galatians 6¹Brethren, 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.

It is amazing how Paul prays for the believers, carefully explains scripture and patiently begs them to obey it. A few examples:

Romans 12¹I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

Romans 15³⁰ Now I beseech you, brethren, for the Lord Jesus Christ's sake, and for the love of the Spirit, that ye strive together with me in your prayers to God for me;

Romans 16 ¹⁷ Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.

1 Corinthians 1¹⁰ Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.

1 Corinthians 4 ¹⁶ Wherefore I beseech you, be ye followers of me.

2 Corinthians 2 ⁸ Wherefore I beseech you that ye would confirm your love toward him.

2 Corinthians 5 ²⁰ Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God.

2 Corinthians 6¹1 We then, as workers together with him, beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain.