Correcting someone's behavior

[rkwittem]

I’ll keep this brief.

If you know someone is repeatedly committing a grave sin (i.e. masturbation, fornication, drunken driving), how should you address the issue. I’m reminded of the incident between David and Bathsheba when Nathan the prophet basically calls David out on this. I feel obliged to remind people that they are called to a higher standard. Maybe it’s rude of me. I don’t know. I feel like a wuss if I don’t say anything, and that’s worse, in my opinion.

 

[JoanREDirector]

I’ll keep this brief.

If you know someone is repeatedly committing a grave sin (i.e. masturbation, fornication, drunken driving), how should you address the issue. I’m reminded of the incident between David and Bathsheba when Nathan the prophet basically calls David out on this. I feel obliged to remind people that they are called to a higher standard. Maybe it’s rude of me. I don’t know. I feel like a wuss if I don’t say anything, and that’s worse, in my opinion.

It depends.

If you are the bishop, a superior in a religious community, or a parent you have a duty to correct those under your authority.

As a principal in a school, a warden in a prison, an officer in the military, even a boss of a work crew or an office staff, you have the duty keep order within a certain sphere. For example; you could reprimand an employee or student for cursing on the job or at school but whether they curse off site is not for you to control even if you don’t like the behavior.

As a citizen you have the right to picket at an abortion clinic, protest questionable spending at a school board or city council meeting, attend hearings and make your views known regarding legislation you consider immoral and therefore harmful to society.

You have the duty to report crimes if you see them and even intervene of you can do so safely and effectively.

You don’t have the duty or right to pop off at your co-workers, your in-laws, your next door neighbor, stupid drivers on the freeway, street corner beggers, fussy babies on the metro bus, sloppy eaters at the lunch counter, fellow huff n-puffers at the gymn … Do you get the picture?

 

[mountee]

I agree to a certain extent with JoanREDirector’s response, but I do feel that Matthew 18:15 calls us to address grave matters with our brothers and sisters. To a certain extent I would have to admit that it would depend on who was having the problem as to how I would proceed. For example, if it was a friend or relative who I had a relationship with I do not think I would have a choice in going forward with a discussion. But, if it was a co-worker or neighbor who I did not have any other contact with except living by them or working with them I am not sure how that would be approached. I do believe it is very important not to let someone feel that I am O.K. with sinful behavior by being around it without expressing my belief that it is wrong or by being in a conversation and staying quiet when I should voice an opinion. I also feel that it should always be done as kindly and charitably as possible.

 

[mkdl_v17]

In the case of older children who are immature in either the moral or emotional sense or both, should younger children act like parents or even legal guardians to them, for example, a 16 year-old with a persistent eating disorder would be treated younger by a sibling younger than he is?