Addressing Sin in the Body of Christ

Smart law enforcement leaders know that ignoring smaller crimes leads to bigger ones. Its also true of sin in the body of Christ. When we ignore sin it is an endorsement of it after a fashion.

Ignoring something sends the message that it isn't important enough to address.

Romans 8:7
"7 because the mind set on the flesh is hostile toward God; for it does not subject itself to the law of God, for it is not even able to do so,"

James 3:3-7 "3 Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.” 4 “How can someone be born when they are old?” Nicodemus asked. “Surely they cannot enter a second time into their mother’s womb to be born!” 5 Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. 6 Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. 7 You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’"

Romans 12:9
"9 Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil; cling to what is good."

Born again believers hate sin, we are commanded to reject it, avoid it and discourage others from engaging in it.

Proverbs 27:6
"Faithful are the wounds of a friend, But deceitful are the kisses of an enemy."

Psalm 141:5
"Let the righteous smite me in kindness and reprove me; It is oil upon the head; Do not let my head refuse it, For still my prayer is against their wicked deeds."

Luke 17:3
"Be on your guard! If your brother sins, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him."

1 Thessalonians 5:14
"We urge you, brethren, admonish the unruly, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with everyone."

2 Timothy 3:16
"All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness;"

It is crystal clear that God gave us plenty of scripture after He rose from the dead that we are to seek to be holy, avoiding sin, confessing it when we fall to be cleansed from it.

To take sin lightly, endorsing it in any way while even defending it is sin in and of itself.

Proverbs 22:24
"24 Make no friendship with a man given to anger, nor go with a wrathful man,"

1 Corinthians 15:33
"33 Do not be deceived: “Bad company ruins good morals.”

Matthew 12:36
"36 I tell you, son the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak,"

Galatians 6:7
"7 Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap."

2 Corinthians 10:5
"5 We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ,"

Acts 5:29
"29 But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than men."

The only way to be able to obey God rather than man is to take everything man says to the Word of God and prayer to discern if it matches with the word of God. Whatever does not agree with the Word of God must be rejected and discarded.