Dealing with Sin in the Church:
An Example for WHY Church Discipline is Necessary
(1 Corinthians 5)
What are the results when a church fails to Biblically deal with sin?
Sin that has not been dealt with robs the Church of her purity and gives a bad testimony to the surrounding community.
1 It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and of a kind that is not tolerated even among pagans, for a man has his father’s wife. 1 Cor 5:1 (ESV)
15 that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, Philippians 2:15 (ESV); Romans 2:24.
Sin that has not been dealt with infers a type of passive pride that results in unbiblical tolerance.
2 And you are arrogant! . . . Your boasting is not good. . . .1 Corinthians 5:2;6 (ESV)
Sin that has not been dealt with grieves the Spirit of God.
2 . . . Ought you not rather to mourn? . . . 1 Cor 5:2 (ESV)
30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Ephesians 4:30 (ESV)
Sin that has not been dealt with gives the sinner a false sense of eternal security.
5 you are to deliver this man to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, so that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord. 1 Corinthians 5:5 (ESV)
11 But now I am writing to you not to associate with anyone who bears the name of brother . . . 1 Corinthians 5:11 (ESV)
Sin that has not been dealt with influences the rest of the church negatively.
6 . . . Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump? 1 Corinthians 5:6 (ESV)
Sin that has not been dealt with corrupts the Lord’s Supper.
9 I wrote to you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people— 10 not at all meaning the sexually immoral of this world, or the greedy and swindlers, or idolaters, since then you would need to go out of the world.
11 But now I am writing to you not to associate with anyone who bears the name of brother if he is guilty of sexual immorality or greed, or is an idolater, reviler, drunkard, or swindler—not even to eat with such a one. 1 Corinthians 5:9-11 (ESV)
Sin that has not been dealt with is disobedience to God’s Word.
7 Cleanse out the old leaven that you may be a new lump, as you really are unleavened. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed. 1 Corinthians 5:7 (ESV)
2 . . . Let him who has done this be removed from among you. 1 Corinthians 5:2 (ESV)
12 For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Is it not those inside the church whom you are to judge? 13 God judges those outside. “Purge the evil person from among you.” 1 Corinthians 5:12-13 (ESV); Deuteronomy 19:19; Revelation 2:19-20; 1 Peter 1:16.