"DO NOT... SHARE IN OTHER PEOPLE'S SINS"

• Introduction
  1. 1 Timothy 5:22
     Paul admonished the young evangelist, Timothy, to exercise caution in his associations so as to avoid sharing in others' sins.
  2. Let us consider several avenues by which it is possible to share in the sins of others.

1. Agreeing To Sin Together
   1. Acts 5:1-9
      Ananias and Sapphira "agreed together" to commit their trespass.
   2. Proverbs 1:10-15
      The words suggested here may seem far-fetched until we consider the reality of street gangs.
   3. Deuteronomy 13:6-8
      It is usually one's dearest friend or his own family that entices him to end his faithful service to God, either through total apostasy or by weakening his resolve against error.
   4. Ephesians 5:3-7
      We are warned not to partake with those who would lead us astray.
2. Repeating Other's Sins
   1. 1 Kings 12:25-33
      Jeroboam sinned when he introduced golden calves to Israel for worship.
      1. 1 Kings 16:25-26, 29-33; 22:51-53; etc.
         Succeeding kings shared in his sin, when they repeated it.
      2. John 4:20-22
         A thousand years later, Samaritans were still sharing in his sin.
   2. Acts 7:51-53; Matthew 23:29-31
      Stephen accused his murderers of sinning with their ancestors who killed the prophets, when they killed the Messiah whose coming those prophets foretold.
   3. 1 Corinthians 10:1-12
      The scriptures have been preserved that we might learn from the mistakes of others.
3. Consenting To Other's Sins
   1. Acts 7:57; 8:1; 22:20
      To our knowledge, Saul never laid a hand on another person to harm them, but he consented to murder.
   2. Romans 1:18-32
      Approving of iniquity is no less serious a sin than committing that iniquity.
   3. 2 John 9-11
      A Christian must refrain from contact with those who are in error.
4. Failing To Rebuke Error
   1. Ezekiel 3:17-21
      The prophet Ezekiel was told that he would be held accountable for the sins of those he failed to warn.
   2. Acts 20:26-27
      Paul acknowledged the validity of this principle when he declared himself guiltless for having succeeded in declaring "the whole counsel of God".
   3. 1 Samuel 2:12-17, 22-36; 3:10-14; 4:10-18
      Eli was punished for failing to restrain his sons from their sins. Notice that he had brought the sin to their attention, but exercised no disciplinary measures against them.
   4. Ephesians 5:11
      1. "Have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness..."
         1. 2 Thessalonians 3:6
            We are under command to withdraw from the disorderly.
         2. 1 Corinthians 5:1-13
            Christians who become unrepentant sinners must not be kept company with.
      2. "...Rather expose them."
         1. 1 Timothy 5:20
            Public rebuke is called for among those who refuse to change.
         2. 2 Timothy 4:2
            Preaching isn't complete without this.
5. Setting Poor Examples
   1. 1 Samuel 2:17, 24
      Hophni and Phineas caused the Lord's people to transgress because their behavior was so abhorrent that the people no longer wished to worship.
   2. Matthew 18:6-7
      Those who cause others to sin deserve the severest of punishments.
   3. Matthew 5:16
      Our conduct, instead, should cause others to glorify God.

• Conclusion
  1. Matthew 10:40-42; Philippians 1:3-7
     As an alternative to sharing in other people's sins, we should learn to share in their good works.
  2. 1 John 1:7
     To truly have fellowship with the Lord and His saints, though, one must, himself, "walk in the light."