Here’s our Text in full, even though today we will only study its last clause. “Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, LEST THOU ALSO BE TEMPTED.” I have purposely capitalized the last few words.

Clearly, the man “overtaken” in a fault was “tempted” into some sort of failure. That’s why Paul employs the word “also,” lest we also fall into the same trap!

The implication is that our helping that weaker brother … could (if we are not ultra cautious) result in our succumbing to his particular temptation! Or to one like it.

Thus we need to be extra diligent (and as we saw in our last Lesson) to “consider ourselves.” In other words, “watch ourselves.” And look for the devil lurking nearby!

The New Testament is always leery of this thing called “temptation.” At least in its sense of meaning “an allurement to sin.” It is a thing to be avoided. Do remember Jesus’ prayer, better yet, Jesus’ instruction to us on how to pray: “Lead us not into temptation.”

That is, do not put yourself in the way of temptation!

Maybe that is why Paul so strongly warned young Timothy: “FLEE ALSO YOUTHFUL LUSTS: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.” 2nd Timothy 2:22, King James Version, “flee,” to escape!

Jude picks up on this possible “danger when helping others” syndrome. “And others SAVE … WITH FEAR, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh.” Jude’s 23rd verse, with “fear” meaning the utmost carefulness, nearly to the point of anxiousness. 

Do NOT knowingly put yourself in the “crosshairs” of the devil!

Paul’s second Epistle to the Corinthians may help here: “Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.” 2 Corinthians 2:11

Now back to where we started: “Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, LEST THOU ALSO BE TEMPTED.”

Except … having been fore-warned, maybe we can thus be better fore-armed as well!

So let us henceforth (especially when helping weaker brothers and sisters in Christ) be, as Peter suggested: “Be SOBER, be VIGILANT; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.” 

“Sober” here means “alert, circumspect (looking all around)!

And “vigilant” means “awake!”

Wow!

— Dr. Mike Bagwell