Intervention

I love the TV show "Intervention."  Friends and family of addicts jump in to save the lives of the ones they love.  In just about every episode, the addict doesn't see the destruction of their behavior.  

They are killing themselves.  They are damaging those around them.  But they don’t see it.  The addict has become some fixated on their addiction that they have developed an enormous blind spot.

Here Paul is talking about a spiritual intervention.  We're to keep an eye on those around us, helping each other see the things that they can't.  And when we we get ambushed by our sin, our friends intervene out of love.

The apostle has just talked about the contrast between walking in the Spirit of God and being controlled by our sinful selfish flesh (Gal 5:16-26).  The apostle comes to a VERY practical application of what he's just talked about.  

A very important aspect of living in community with other followers of Jesus is to look out for each other, especially when we develop blind spots.  Our brothers and sisters are to boldly yet gently intervene in order to get us back on track.

His use of "brothers" let's us know that this is something we do in our spiritual family.  While God certainly calls us to reach out with the love of Jesus to a lost and dying world, Paul's talking about how we deal with our brothers and sisters in the faith.  

Despite all of the problems in the Galatian churches caused by the Judaizers, the apostle still considers them to be part of the family.  The Galatians might be fools, but their Paul's fools (Gal 3:1)!

He goes on to write, "If anyone is caught in any transgression" (v1).  The verb here is the Greek προλαμβανω/prolambano.  

In this context, it means to ambushed without warning or to overtake by surprise.  This means someone is actually trapped in their sin before they realized what was going on.  

Someone in your church family has slipped into a sinful pattern.  Before they realize how bad things have gotten, we see they need help.  Like the TV show, we set up a spiritual intervention for their own good.

What does a spiritual intervention look like?  Jesus gives us the steps in Matthew 18:15-20.  We need to always keep that process in mind here.

What sort of transgression is Paul talking about here?  Certainly it's the ones he has just mentioned in that nasty list he calls "the works of the flesh" (Gal 5:19-21).  

The brother or sister has "become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another" (Gal 5:26).  They've fallen victim to the sin of self.  The most important thing in their life has become their own sin.  

They desperately need an intervention. 

Once you see one you love ambushed by their sin, "you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness" (v1).  

Those "who are spiritual" are people who are walking by the Spirit (Gal 5:16, 24), being led by the Spirit (Gal 5:18), exhibiting the fruit of the Spirit (Gal 5:22-23) and living by the Spirit (Gal 5:24).  

This certainly does NOT mean someone who is perfect or has all their stuff in one bag.  Paul's simply talking about those of in our church who are a bit more spiritually mature.  They are humble servants willing to intervene into the lives of the ones they love.

The apostle's use of the term "restore" is very helpful.  This is the Greek verb καταρτιζω/katartizo.  It means to mend, fix, put back in order or make whole again.  

The term was used to describe how a doctor would reset a broken bone.  It's also used when a fisherman mends the rips and tears in his net (Mt 4:21).  

God is calling us not only to intervene into the life of one caught in sin but to be a part of the mending and healing process.  

This is more than simply tapping someone on the shoulder and let them know that they've been busted.  This is loving involvement in their lives to restore them and make them whole.

We're to do this gently.  Remember, this is one aspect of the fruit of the Spirit (Gal 5:23).  Paul's letting us know that this is going to be an important part of the intervention process.  We're NOT to hit them over the head with a ten pound Bible.  

We're to do this lovingly.  We're to do this gently.  Gentleness is NOT weakness.  It's actually strength under control.  

That's exactly how all-powerful God deals with each one of us at our most fragile moments.  "A bruised reed He will not break, and a smoldering wick He will not quench" (Is 42:3; Mt 12:20).  

When you intervene into the life of another, allow Jesus to work through you in a spirit of gentleness.

Finally, Paul gives a word of warning when it comes to spiritual intervention.  Be careful.  Be VERY careful.  "Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted" (v1).  

He's warning that this can be a slippery slope.  When we go on this rescue mission of love, it's easy to get caught up in the very same thing that's trapped the one we're trying to rescue.  

We also may get cocky and think we’re spiritually hot stuff since we’re here to help.  Get over yourself.  As the old saying goes, “But for the grace of God go I.”  Slow your roll, Holmes.  This could just as well be you. 

Be careful.  Be VERY careful.  "Keep watch" is the Greek verb σκοπεω/skopeo.  It's where we get the English word "scope.”  

Be on the lookout.  Keep your head on a swivel.  Make sure somebody's got your back.  Know that you're stepping into dangerous territory.  Keep your eyes open.

We need each other.  That's what living in community with other Jesus' followers is all about.  And spiritual intervention is an incredibly important part of life in the body of Christ.

©2012

Jay Jennings