How do you talk to people about sin?

[McPhersonX]

I asked someone in my family if he ever prays. From time to time I ask him about what he believes, I cannot push it because he just closes the subject.

I have thought, hoped prayed that over time I had influenced him to some extent, that some understanding has taken place.

He just replied no, he never prays because he has nothing to pray about. He says he is not a sinner and is 'hardly on death row'. Then he shut down and I knew subject closed.

I am so disappointed because he hasn't understood even the most basic thing that we are all sinners. That not one of us is sinless.

I do not know how to broach the subject again as I feel so disheartened. I shall just pray privately for him. I worry for his soul.

People don't buy things they don't think they need. The same goes for the gospel. If people don't see the need they won't investigate it. Also just saying that people are sinners and need to repent isn't the best sales pitch.

I think the biggest thing is that we should always approach it with love. And not just that you love them, but that they feel the love coming from you.

Also keep in mind that repent means to turn around. Indicating that when we sin we are turning or walking away from Christ. And that when we repent we are turning back to him. Repentance is a gift of mercy that allows us to access his atonement. So repenting is less of a whipping as much as turning into the arms of a loving father who is hurting because we are choosing through our actions to leave him.

This is what the parable of the prodigal son is all about.

So the best way to help people repent is ultimately helping people come unto Christ. As we come to know our savior we will feel his love and will have a desire to be closer to him which comes from daily repentance and constantly turning to Christ.