What does Jesus' command in John 4:16 teach about confronting sin?

The Setting in John 4:16

“Jesus told her, ‘Go, call your husband and come back.’” (John 4:16)

---

Why Jesus Raises the Issue

• Jesus has just offered “living water” (vv. 13-14).

• Revealing the woman’s broken marital history (vv. 17-18) exposes the very thirst He can satisfy.

• Confrontation is not humiliation; it is an invitation to healing.

---

Key Lessons on Confronting Sin

• Truth First, Sympathy Always

 – Ephesians 4:15: “speaking the truth in love.”

 – Jesus states facts without harshness, yet without compromise.

• Specific, Not Vague

 – He names the precise area of sin (her relationships), showing that conviction often needs clarity.

 – Compare Nathan’s approach to David, 2 Samuel 12:7.

• Personal Responsibility

 – “Go, call your husband” forces the woman to acknowledge her situation.

 – Galatians 6:5: “each will bear his own load.”

• Private Before Public

 – The dialogue occurs one-on-one at the well, modeling Matthew 18:15.

• Redemptive Aim

 – John 4:26 culminates in self-revelation: “I who speak to you am He.”

 – Confrontation is a doorway to worship (vv. 23-24) and testimony (vv. 28-29).

---

Practical Takeaways for Today

1. Let Scripture guide the timing; the Spirit led Jesus, not impulse.

2. Address real issues, avoiding generalities that blur conviction.

3. Speak privately whenever possible, safeguarding dignity.

4. Keep restoration central (Galatians 6:1).

5. Expect transformation—changed lives become witnesses (John 4:39-42).