“Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted.”
Galatians 6:1 ESV
What does he means by “caught” in any transgression? Does he mean “found out” like being “caught red-handed” in sin? Were you caught with your hand in the cookie jar? Who thinks he is not caught this way? God sees always. And, we always catch ourselves because we have to see what we’re doing–even though we make immediate excuses for our conduct.
Or, does he mean caught from their perspective, being “trapped” or “ensnared” or “entangled” in sin?
Does he mean only a physical involvement with sin or transgressing? Or, does he also intend to cover the mental trap that some of us find ourselves dealing with–like continual temptations and returns to pornography or to gambling or to excessive drinking–on a daily or other seemingly regular basis? Or, does he mean to include the occasional straying from the path of righteousness and holiness too?
Perhaps it covers all these and more! Whatever the circumstances of the sin or step in the development of the transgression (James 1:14-16), it is a spiritual matter. And it is not beyond restoration!
Just as one rescuing a drowning swimmer or fallen climber or even a cat in a tree, the rescuer must first take care to protect himself–physically and emotionally and in attitude and thought, spiritually. A rescuer must not be distracted. A rescuer must be prepared. A rescuer must focus on the person in need of help, not the accolades for saving the other. So, keep watch.
And, work gently. You do not want to further entangle or cause the one in need of help to further endanger himself or herself. If you do not go gently, it could soon be two, not just one, needing rescue.
Men Following Jesus 