Who Is Wearing More Soap?

Have you ever watched children give a dog a bath? Imagine the scene. Two young children and one big dog are outside in the backyard and a warm afternoon. The kiddie pool, once filled with soapy water, is now nearly empty as dog and children are all wet and covered with soap suds. It is time to get out the hose to rinse off both the dog who was given a bath and the children attempting to wash him. Amid the frustration of trying to scrub a wiggly dog, the air is filled with squeals of laughter.

Have you ever been in the situation of attempting to encourage and counsel a fellow believer who is struggling with sin in an area of his or her life? The spiritual scene may be very similar to the one described above. (Please note: I am not attempting to call someone who is caught in sin a dog. In some of my other posts, I have used my two dogs to describe characteristics I see in myself.) Some valuable lessons can be learned from the above, humorous scene.

First of all, a parent or other adult prepared the kiddie pool and soap for the children to begin this adventure of bathing their beloved dog. These adults chose the time and place, plus the materials that would be used to get the pup clean. Likewise, the Holy Spirit must be the one who orchestrates the timing and manner in which one is made aware of sin. “And when He comes, He will convict and convince the world and bring demonstration to it about sin and about righteousness (uprightness of heart and right standing with God) and about judgment:” (John 16:8 AMP) The Word of God provides the soap and water to help clean up the sin in our lives. Speaking of Christ and His church Paul said, “So that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the Word, That He might present the church to Himself in glorious splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such things [that she might be holy and faultless].” (Ephesians 5:26-27 AMP)

When we have overcome areas of weakness and sin, God will give opportunity to help others as they struggle. “Brethren, if any person is overtaken in misconduct or sin of any sort, you who are spiritual [who are responsive to and controlled by the Spirit] should set him right and restore and reinstate him, without any sense of superiority and with all gentleness, keeping an attentive eye on yourself, lest you should be tempted also. Bear (endure, carry) one another's burdens and troublesome moral faults, and in this way fulfill and observe perfectly the law of Christ (the Messiah) and complete what is lacking [in your obedience to it]. (Galatians 6:1-2 AMP) The task of helping another overcome and be cleansed from the bondage in his/her life is a serious calling. It is important that we are careful not to judge or consider ourselves above also being tempted. We must carefully listen to the Holy Spirit and guard our own hearts. “For if any person thinks himself to be somebody [too important to condescend to shoulder another's load] when he is nobody [of superiority except in his own estimation], he deceives and deludes and cheats himself. But let every person carefully scrutinize and examine and test his own conduct and his own work. He can then have the personal satisfaction and joy of doing something commendable [in itself alone] without [resorting to] boastful comparison with his neighbor.” (Galatians 6:3-4 AMP)

Throughout the process, believers must always keep in mind how we ourselves came to Jesus. “Truly I tell you, whoever does not receive and accept and welcome the kingdom of God like a little child [does] positively shall not enter it at all.” (Mark 10:15 AMP) We must keep this childlike heart ready to receive from the Lord and have a loving, childlike heart to serve and care for others.  All should be done in the spirit of friendship, peace and joy. Rather than arrogance or harshness we should always serve with gentleness because, “A soft answer turns away wrath, but grievous words stir up anger.” (Proverbs 15:1 AMP) and “A gentle tongue [with its healing power] is a tree of life, but willful contrariness in it breaks down the spirit.” (Proverbs 15:4 AMP)

Often, the Holy Spirit’s counsel from Scripture for another’s deliverance from sin will also shine a spotlight on areas in our own lives that require attention and correction. We will also become clean by seeing the seeing both the error in our own lives and the need to be washed by the soap and water of the Word of God. We must then share the attitude of King David, “I considered my ways; I turned my feet to [obey] Your testimonies. I made haste and delayed not to keep Your commandments.” (Psalm 119:59-60 AMP) By awareness and obedience we are lathered up and simultaneously become clean along with those we are helping. As the Holy Spirit convicts, washes and rinses the sin from our lives, we will all be cleaner, stronger believers.

Allow God to set the conditions in place to help another. The process of becoming clean may be painful, but they joy and laughter of the children, and even the dog, makes the work easy. Likewise, love one another enough to help each other turn away from sin and become clean in the power the Holy Spirit. There will be great victory, joy and peace.