We Cannot Turn a Blind Eye to Sin

Note from today’s Bible reading: 1 Samuel 1-3

When Samuel was a young boy staying with Eli, the priest, the Lord spoke to him. Unfortunately, the message was not a comforting one.

God told Samuel of the judgment that was coming against the house of Eli. He said, “For I have told him that I am about to judge his house forever for the iniquity which he knew, because his sons brought a curse on themselves and he did not rebuke them. Therefore I have sworn to the house of Eli that the iniquity of Eli’s house shall not be atoned for by sacrifice or offering forever” (1 Samuel 3:13-14).

The sons of Eli were “worthless men” (1 Samuel 2:12). While they would be held accountable for their sins, Eli was condemned because he refused to confront them about their sin. This would surely not have been an easy or pleasant thing to do, but it was necessary. Ignoring the problem did not make it go away – it only became worse.

The same is true for us, particularly in the church. When sin is allowed to remain among God’s people, it spreads like leaven and affects everyone (1 Corinthians 5:6). We are to try to correct those in sin (James 5:19-20), not continue in fellowship with them as if nothing is wrong (Ephesians 5:11).

So remember that we cannot turn a blind eye to sin. While we need to try to keep ourselves pure, we must also look out for others. Though it may be difficult to correct someone in sin, the consequences of their sin continuing and spreading are much worse.