2 Timothy 2:24-26 (KJV)
24 And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient,
25 In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of truth;
26 And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.
How will they know the error of their ways if we don’t show them something different?
As believers, we have a responsibility to go and make disciples (see Matthew 19). God doesn’t just change us for us, but also so that we can have an impact on the world around us. Jesus tells us in John 10:10 that He has come to give us life and life more abundantly, but others won’t experience this abundant life unless we share about it with them. We must share the Truth.
Part of sharing this abundant life with others is being willing to bring correction in a loving, but firm way. Staying silent when someone is living in sin isn’t going to help them in the long-term and God has appointed us to be our brother’s keeper (See Galatians 6).
Bottom line, if someone is doing something against the Word of God then they aren’t fully living a life that will lead to abundance and we need to give them the opportunity to change things. 2 Timothy 2:24-26 is instructing us to be lovers of people and Truth. The word of God is sharper than any two-edged sword (see Hebrews 4:12). We are not asked to condemn or judge, but we are called to bring light to dark places and to give people the opportunity to repent.
Love doesn’t mean turning a blind eye, but part of love is being willing to take the time to show someone how to do it differently — how to do it right. This requires us to be patient, meek, humble, and gentle with them during the process.