When a follower of Christ has sinned, and has repented of that sin, trust still needs to be restored. This is how the process of restoring trust begins:
- Allow them to feel godly sorrow. Ask questions like, “Who has been affected by your sin?” Help them see the broader picture.
- Lead them through to solutions with questions like “What are you going to do to make it right with those who are affected by your sin?” “How are you going to do this?” and “When are you going to do this?”
- Stand with them. Don’t set them up to fail. They came to you because they trusted you with their sin. Don’t hold them up to public ridicule. Don’t make them an illustration in your next sermon. If a public confession is needed, make sure the public knows this isn’t a topic of gossip as well as their role in the ministry of reconciliation.
Use what satan intended for evil for the glory and honor of the Father. Honor those who have sinned because the Father has lifted you up to His level while you were still in sin.
Trust is something that must be earned. When it’s lost it must be re-earned. This assumes – as a person they’ve trusted their failing with – you’ll give them opportunity to rebuild trust…which means they’ll have the opportunity to fail again as well.
Don’t set them up to fail. Don’t give them enough rope to hang themselves. Stand with them in their decisions to make things right with as many people as they’ve affected with their sin.
When you’re part of a community, this will ensure honor is part of your DNA.
It’s never easy to journey with someone through a difficult time, but when they want to restore trust, honoring them as who they are brings great rewards.
I’d love to hear about a time when someone stood by you.
Yes! Can I repost this on my blog (graceisforsinners dot com)? My minestry deals with this subject specifically. Helping people heal from their life changing sin, helping people whose lives have been changed by another’s sin and helping the church understand their role in the whole mess.
Great post!
Serena, love your blog, wow! Is there anyway I can subscribe to it?
I only wish the stories you tell were more rare. That’s why I’ve written “How to Judge and Not Be A Jerk”
Sure you can re-post it.
Say, I’ve been thinking about setting up a “Friends” page on this blog with links to like-minded ministries. Could we exchange links? I’m hoping to make some changes to this site over the weekend.
I would love to know how to let people subscribe to my blog. How do I do that? I would also love to be part of a ‘Friends’ network. There is power for change in the numbers.
Is ‘How to Judge and Not Be A Jerk’ a book? I’ll google it. I wrote a book called ‘Grace Is For Sinners.’ If you’d like, we can trade books.
Hope you get to feeling better!
Thanks again Serena. Just sent you an email. Can’t wait to read your book.
Great article.
Thanks for your comments.