Why is it important to address sin within the church community, as seen here?

◄ Why address sin in church community? ►

Recognizing the Call to Purity (Numbers 5:1–4)

“Then the LORD said to Moses, ‘Command the Israelites to send out from the camp anyone who has a skin disease or a discharge or anyone who is defiled because of a corpse. You are to send both male and female outside the camp, so they will not defile their camp, which I dwell among them.’ So the Israelites did this… ” (Numbers 5:1-4)

Why Sin Cannot Be Ignored

• God dwells among His people; impurity threatens that fellowship (Numbers 5:3).

• Sin spreads—Paul compares it to yeast working through dough (1 Corinthians 5:6-7).

• Unchecked wrongdoing diminishes witness: “You are the light of the world” (Matthew 5:14).

• Holiness is not optional but commanded (1 Peter 1:15-16).

Protecting the Community and the Individual

• Community welfare: sending the unclean outside the camp safeguarded everyone’s health and worship.

• Individual restoration: isolation created space for cleansing and eventual reintegration—mirrored in church discipline aimed at repentance (2 Corinthians 2:6-8).

• Spiritual safety: “A little leaven leavens the whole batch” (Galatians 5:9).

Biblical Pattern for Addressing Sin

1. Private confrontation (Matthew 18:15).

2. Small-group confirmation (Matthew 18:16).

3. Church involvement (Matthew 18:17).

4. Restoration when repentance occurs (Galatians 6:1; 2 Corinthians 2:7).

God’s Presence as the Ultimate Motivation

• “I dwell among them” (Numbers 5:3) drives purity.

• The Spirit now indwells believers (1 Corinthians 3:16-17); sin grieves Him (Ephesians 4:30).

• Ananias and Sapphira remind us God still guards His holiness (Acts 5:1-11).

Practical Takeaways for Today

• Cultivate a culture of loving accountability—truth spoken in love (Ephesians 4:15).