Even though you love Jehovah deeply and you try hard to avoid doing anything that would hurt him, you will occasionally make mistakes. However, some sins are more serious than others. (1 Corinthians 6:9, 10) If you commit a serious sin, remember that Jehovah has not stopped loving you; he is willing to forgive and help you.

1. What must we do to receive Jehovah’s forgiveness?

Those who love Jehovah are filled with sorrow when they realize that they have committed a serious sin. But they find comfort in what Jehovah promised his people: “Though your sins are like scarlet, they will be made as white as snow.” (Isaiah 1:18) If we sincerely repent, Jehovah will completely forgive us. How do we repent? Moved by deep regret, we stop doing what is bad and beg Jehovah to forgive us. Then we work hard to change the wrong thinking or habits that led to our sin, and we try to live according to Jehovah’s clean standards.​—Read Isaiah 55:6, 7.

2. How does Jehovah use the elders to help us when we sin?

If we commit a serious sin, Jehovah tells us to “call the elders of the congregation.” (Read James 5:14, 15.) These appointed men love Jehovah and his sheep. They are qualified to help us repair our relationship with Jehovah.​—Galatians 6:1.

How do the elders help us if we commit a serious sin? Two or three elders will correct us, using Scriptural counsel. They will also give us practical suggestions and encouragement to help us avoid sinning again. They may limit our participation in certain Christian activities for a while until we are spiritually healthy. To protect the congregation from harmful influences, the elders disfellowship any who commit serious sins and are unrepentant.

DIG DEEPER

3. Confessing helps us to heal

Any sin we commit involves Jehovah, so we rightly confess to him. Read Psalm 32:1-5, and then discuss this question:

• Why is it good for us to confess our sins to Jehovah instead of trying to hide them?

4. How disfellowshipping helps

If a person who has committed a serious sin refuses to follow Jehovah’s standards, he can no longer be part of the congregation. He is disfellowshipped, and we do not associate with him or even speak with him. Read 2 John 9-11, 1 Corinthians 5:11 and 1 Corinthians 5:6, and then discuss this question:

• Just as leaven ferments bread dough, how would associating with an unrepentant sinner affect the congregation?

SUMMARY

If we commit a serious sin but are sincerely sorry and determined to stop doing what is bad, Jehovah will forgive us.

Review

• Why is it good for us to confess our sins to Jehovah?

• What do we need to do to have our sins forgiven?

• If we commit a serious sin, why should we seek help from the elders?