“Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass,
you who are spiritual restore such a one
in a spirit of gentleness,
considering yourself lest you also be tempted.”
Galatians 6:1

Only one who has been in bondage to ANY sin can tell you how important this passage is. The natural human tendency is to rebuke a person who is bound in any sin. But …it won’t work and you’ve probably made an enemy. If only we could convince ourselves that arguing or nagging will NOT work, it will NOT bring about the change we desire to see in them.

It’s important to understand that coming against a person harshly, or throwing the law at them, will NOT bring about his/her conversion or repentance.

The Spirit of God is gentle. The Spirit of God understands the plight of the person in bondage, and ONLY the Spirit of God can minister to the heart of such a one. Your most powerful, and perhaps only, tool is prayer. The power of God can do miraculous things. Pray and don’t give up. And then pray some more.

“The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.”
James 5:16

But in all this, be gentle.