Beleavers

The article below was written by another sister in the Lord.  Here is a link to her complete blog, The Latter Days.

Beleavers

"But he that received the seed into stony places, the same
is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy
receiveth it; Yet hath he not root in himself,
but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or
persecution ariseth because of the word,
by and by he is offended. " Matthew 13:20-21

"And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?" Luke 6:46

You cannot be a believer in Christ Jesus unless the word of God is the standard of truth in your life.  If there is any wavering about this in your mind, then you have given the enemy a huge advantage to snuff out your spiritual life.  The word of God is the actual sustenance our spirits need in order to grow and mature in the faith (Hebrews 5:12).

Many professing Christians are actually not believers at all.  Rather, they are beleavers.  I call them beleavers because they 'be leaving' the Lord at the drop of a hat.  They have not committed to give their life to Jesus.  They are not willing to stand with Him against that which is evil.  They use Jesus like window dressing to pretty up the outward appearance of their lives, but leave the doctrine of Christ and deny Him at the slightest sign of pressure or conflict.

beleave:  to cause or allow to remain behind, to leave something behind; to abandon

A lot of time is wasted talking to and trying to reason with beleavers.  They spend most of their time disputing the word of God and explaining why it does not mean what it says...and then they'll get mad at you when you point them to the Scriptures.

"They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate." Titus 1:16

Someone recently contacted me, disturbed because a number of what they had considered strong Christians seem to be gravitating closer to the world and farther away from God.  To hold on to a religious facade, these persons are taking refuge in false doctrines such as Once Saved Always Saved or Universalism which says God's love will save everybody in the end.  They will believe anything in order to continue pretending that their sin has no bearing on their eternal relationship with God.

Although this person sought reassurance, all I could say is, "It is written."  God warns us in His word that a great falling away will occur prior to His return.  This is the time to see it.  If our hearts are not wholly set on the truths of God - if there is any part of us that still longs to do things our own way - then we may very well be in danger of falling into apostasy.  When the rubber meets the road and it is truly time to chose whom we will serve, the beleaver is going to run for the hills for they have no anchor or root in their souls.

The issue is not that beleavers don't understand what God says.  The problem is that there's still sin in the camp.  They are willfully continuing in sin in some area of their lives and they do not want to give it up.  They don't want to repent (which means to turn away from sin).  Don't be shaken up as you see this begin to happen around you.  Just make sure that you are keeping your body under subjection so as not to become a castaway yourself (I Corinthians 9:27).

You may very well find that those most receptive to the Gospel these days are not the professing beleavers, but those who have been outside of the religious domain.  This is just as it was in Jesus' days.  The religious sinners saw no need for repentance, but those who were broken and humble before the Lord came to Him in droves.   

"Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, yedouble minded." James 1:8

The only issue between man and God is sin. It is not that we don't know God loves us.  It is not that we need tangible proof God exists.  It is not that we pride ourselves on being a 'freethinker'.  There is only one reason that people do not give their lives to the Lord, and that is they love the darkness of lies more than they love the light of truth (John 3:19). 

"Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.  For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law." Matthew 10:34-35

God wants to know; who is on His side?  Will faith be found on the earth when He returns?  Don't get distracted by the falling away, but make your own eye single so that your whole body will be filled with light.  Let the Holy Spirit lead you to those whose hearts He has prepared to receive the truth.  Jesus is using the sword of His word, the sword of Truth, to divide between the sheep and the goats, the wheat and the tares, the believers and the beleavers.  On which side will you be found?

A Little Here, A Little There

A Little Compromise Here, A Little There

I am convinced that the Devil works his deceitful madness one "little" sin at a time.  He infiltrates the heart of man in gradual compromises.  (A little leaven here and a little leaven there.)  He attempts to bring the downfall of all men, but can you imagine how much extra time he and his fellow demons seek to bring the downfall of those who openly herald and share the Gospel with others?

 Is there something in most of us that cannot stand hypocrisy?  (On any level, not just a religious level.)  I can't give a sweeping or absolute yes or no on that question, but I am inclined to believe the answer is closer to yes.  Most of us do not enjoy hearing others say one thing, yet they do the opposite.  It makes us suspicious.  It makes us doubt the person.  We can apply this to observations of ourselves, as well.   We know if we are being hypocrites, and unless we have completely hardened ourselves, there is shame that accompanies that realization.

The Devil is stealth.  He knows how to use man's disgust with hypocrisy as a weapon against that very same man.  What do I mean?

If a person is being led of the Holy Spirit, the Devil seeks to change that.   If a person is truly obedient to the Lord's will and the Lord's direction, the Devil will put up a fight.  If a person truly preaches the power of God's grace to transform people from wickedness to righteousness (from the inside out), you can be sure the Devil is laying some traps along that person's path!

In all likelihood, the traps are little - Nothing overt for this man or woman of God.  The Devil isn't stupid!   A little trap here and a little trap there will serve his purpose. One compromise at a time - a "little" lie here, and a "little" lust there; a "little" fantasizing there, and a "little" profanity here;  a "little" filthy joke there, and a "little" hate here; a little pride here, and a little worry there, a little fear of man here, and a little love of self there, a little destruction of the temple of God here and a little destruction of it there; a "little" of any sin here and a "little" of any sin there.  Small doses of compromise.

Just one compromise at a time and the once speaker of righteousness begins to shave a "little" truth here and a "little" repentance there from his sermons.  Not shaving off a little truth and a little repentance would make him a hypocrite. Again, Satan will use our own disgust of hypocrisy against us.  Compromising to sin in one's personal life will lead to the gradual and systematic compromise of the Word of God.  Satan plays on our own disgust of hypocrisy to entrap us:  "If I can entice them to sin here and there, their own guilt of being a hypocrite won't permit them to preach the whole Truth."  Many have fallen for this in the church. The Bible speaks of such times leading to the falling away: 2 Timothy 4:3, 4:4, 2 Thessalonians 2:3, 2:10, 2:11, 2:12, 2 Peter 3:17, Revelation 2:5

Repent. Obey. Follow. Be Truly Transformed By This Great Saviour.  ~No, Satan and his demons fight against this Truth of the Gospel.  If you speak it, there is a bull's eye on you.  You are in his sights.

Rely fully on Christ to help you overcome whatever "little" compromise Satan presents to you.  IN Christ, you do not have to give in to the sin!  When the Lord showed me this years ago, my life was forever and ever changed!  I was being tormented by Satan to compromise, but I sought the Lord continually by prayer, fasting, and reading the Bible (His Holy Word).  The Lord miraculously delivered me! Satan shriveled up.  I will never forget the Lord's utter annihilation of Satan in that battle against sin.  I owe the LORD my complete servitude, not because I am trying to earn anything but because I LOVE HIM more than words!  He rescued me and continues to every time I cry out to Him.

He is my hero riding in on a white horse.  Literally.

How has Satan and his minions sought to bring compromise in your life?  Have you given in to the compromise a little here and a little there, and now you find yourself steering clear of any notion that a believer can be made righteous (inside and out) by the power of God's grace?  Do you find yourself speaking less about the Lord's ability to help you overcome every sinful temptation?  Instead, do you talk more about His acceptance of you, even though you practice sin?

Were you the one who once spoke out against sin in conversations, only now to remain silent because you know speaking against sin would make you a hypocrite?

The Lord extends His hand to you.  He accepts our request for forgiveness when we are broken by our failure to serve Him in Spirit and in Truth.  He accepts our pleadings for forgiveness when we turn in disgust away from our sinful compromises.  1 John 1:6, 1:7, 1:8, 1:9, Matthew 3:1, 3:2, Matthew 4:17, Matthew 9:13, Matthew 11:20, Matthew 12:41, Mark 1:15, Mark 6:12, Luke 3:8, Luke 13:3, Luke 15:10, Luke 17:4, Acts 2:38, Acts 8:22, Acts 17:30, 2 Corinthians 7:9, 2 Corinthians 12:21, 2 Timothy 2:25, Revelation 2:5, Revelation 2:21, Revelation 3:3, Revelation 3:19,

When Satan ensnares you (a little sin here and a little sin there), you will make others feel comfortable while they continue in sin because to do otherwise would make you a hypocrite.  "Let's all join together and rejoice that the blood of Jesus covers us while we continue in sin!" Sadly, this is the sleight of hand by the Devil himself.  He has convinced so many that they are showing compassion to their fellow man or fellow brother in this matter when, in reality, hearts are being hardened against true Biblical repentance.  He is so deceptive.

Let us heed the LORD's words regarding unrepentant sin.  Hebrews 10:26, 10:27, 10:28, 10:29, 10:30, 10:31, Hebrews 6:4, 6:5, 6:6, 6:7, 6:8, 2 Peter 2:1, 2:2, 2:3, 2:14, 2:15, 2:18, 2:19, 2:20, 2:21, 2:22

Glory to God, however, for His wonderful way of escape from sin.  

The GRACE OF GOD empowers us to systematically overcome every sin that seeks to ensnare us:

Titus 2:11, 2:12, 2:13, 2:14, 2:15

1 Peter 5:6, 5:7, 5:8, 5:9, 5:10, 5:11, 5:12

I will not deny what the LORD taught me by His presence during the darkest days of my life. 

Friends, let us join in humble and truthful prayer that those who have veered off of the path of Truth will come to a place of realization and turn back onto the narrow path that leads to life.  

There is no room for compromise.

Shushan

I begin many blog posts with a personal experience.  Why?  I always consider Revelation 12:11,

"And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death."

 I share what God has taught me personally in blogs because I am always amazed how He speaks to me and that He would even speak to me.  Also, the Lord can use one person's testimony to encourage others.  Ultimately, my hope and obligation in these blogs and in life center upon obeying the Lord and delivering the message He would have me deliver to others.

3 Weeks Ago
While sleeping  at the end of December, I heard a voice speak to me in another language.  The language was not familiar, but it was clear that the content of the message was one of comfort, peace, and reassurance. The words flowed very fluently and poetically.  I remember thinking how beautiful those spoken words were.  I felt no fear as I listened to that beautiful language spoken.  It was the perfect message and the perfect voice to my ears because there had been much anguish surrounding me.  Hearing the voice of the Shepherd is the greatest sound I have ever known.

When I awakened momentarily, I knew the Lord had spoken to me.  I could not recall all of the words spoken to me, but I did remember the first word:

SHUSHAN

Nothing about the word seemed familiar to me.  I didn't even know if it were a true word, at least one that I would be able to find the definition for.

When this word was spoken in the dream, it seemed apparent to me that after the word SHUSHAN, there would have been a comma, and then the remainder of the message was spoken.  In other words, Shushan was being used as what is called a "direct address" in the English language.  If I am addressing someone directly in written form or even spoken form, it would look something like this:

John, I appreciate the thoughtful words you spoke.  

John is being directly addressed, followed by a comma, and then the message to John.

A few hours later, I began to research the word "shushan".  As I said, I didn't even know if it were an actual word or not.  But, alas, Shushan has a very significant meaning.  Not just in general, but specifically within the Bible. The moment I began researching Shushan, I discovered that it is an actual Hebrew word.

The Lord was speaking to me in Hebrew. There is nothing in my own human brain that could have spoken that Hebrew as beautifully and poetically as He had to me.  I was and still am humbled.

The Lord directly led me to this information regarding Shushan:
1)  Most of the events in the Book of Esther took place in Shushan. The King's Palace is in Shushan.  Some may even describe the Palace and Shushan as being interchangeable terms for the same place.
Also,
2)  The Biblical name Shushan means lily, rose, joy.

Both areas He brought me to were astonishing because three months ago, the Lord led me to complete an Esther fast (explained in the next paragraph) -and- my name is Joy, so when I saw lily, rose, and joy associated with the meaning of Shushan, I understood why I felt Shushan was being used as a direct address in the dream.  He was talking to me directly in the King's Palace.  I don't share that with malice or pride, but God knows when His people are being tried by Satan. The Lord is faithful to speak at precise times to lead and help us down the right path to Him. The fact that the Lord had used the same word to show me both meanings, my name and the king's palace in the Book of Esther... Who does that?  Only this Divine all seeing, all knowing God, who understands the intents of our hearts.  I encourage everyone who is battling heavy opposition from the 'rulers of the darkness of this world' (Ephesians 6:12) to keep your eyes on the Lord.  Tune out lies and believe the Truth of God's Word.  Lies are distractions.  (Jeremiah 23:28)

3 Months Ago

 In October, the Lord called me to an Esther fast.  I experienced dark spiritual forces rise up during that fast.  For that matter, there were dark spiritual forces attacking me before the fast.  I believe this is why He told me to fast as Esther fasted and for the same reason she fasted (to rise up against Haman/Satan in order for the people to be saved/rescued.  Victory hinged on the King's response to Esther's request. But first, Esther had to take action - fast & then, approach the King).
Those three days in October were very trying.  The Lord has told me repeatedly over the last years to speak a certain message regarding repentance and how important it is for believers to continue in the faith in order to inherit the Kingdom of God.  He has also shown me to warn the brethren in particular areas where they were following another spirit that was not from or of Him.

During the Esther fast, the Lord showed me many truths.  Some were so personal that I have only shared them with my husband, but below are a some of the others...
1)  He calls His people to lay their lives down for the sake of the brethren.
2)  He calls His people to stand up against that which is deceitful.
3)  There is a generation of people who are dreadfully deceived by Satan and need the Truth of God taught to them.
4) Not obeying Him results in eternal consequences for not only the person who does not obey but for others.

During the Esther fast, the Lord surely fed me with spiritual manna.  He was careful to guide me to scripture in miraculous ways.  I asked Him during the fast to please extend His sceptre to me so that I would know I was understanding Him correctly and that He would give me the strength to do exactly what He said.

Why did I request the sceptre?  When Esther walked in to the King after her fast, she knew there was a chance that she could be put to death.  Walking in unannounced to the King of the land just didn't happen.  However, Esther was determined to save her people.  She stated,

And if I perish, I perish.  (Esther 4:16)

In chapter 5, we read the outcome of Esther's fasting and if she would find favor with the King:

Now it came to pass on the third day, that Esther put on her royal apparel, and stood in the inner court of the king's house, over against the king's house: and the king sat upon his royal throne in the royal house, over against the gate of the house.
And it was so, when the king saw Esther the queen standing in the court, that she obtained favour in his sight: and the king held out to Esther the golden sceptre that was in his hand. So Esther drew near, and touched the top of the sceptre.
Then said the king unto her, What wilt thou, queen Esther? and what is thy request? it shall be even given thee to the half of the kingdom.  (Esther 5:1-3)  

During hour 50 of the fast, the Lord extended His royal sceptre to me.  The presence of the Holy Spirit ushered in, and He specifically and miraculously led me to a particular verse.  My mind was not thinking about the sceptre; I was simply following close behind His footsteps during this difficult fast, but the heavens opened, and He brought me to this verse in such an unexpected way.  I can, even now, recall Satan vehemently beating against my mind before I read it.  Glory to God, I did not listen to the voice of the stranger, but continued to follow the True Shepherd's Voice:

But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom.    Hebrews 1: 8

He had shown me the sceptre as I humbly asked.  Hallelujah! So a few weeks after this tremendous time, I spent 7 days teaching 120 people the Truth of God's wonderful Word.  And my heart was one of love toward God and love toward a group of people to encounter and to serve the True Risen King, Jesus Christ.  There was no sugar coating of Truth.

Repent.  Believe.  Follow the Shepherd. If you sin against Him, return in true and complete repentance. One can't live with swine and dwell with the Father.  We must choose whom we will serve.  

Glory!  I have no doubt that there were ears who heard.  The battle leading up to those moments was too fierce and God's presence was so strong!

4-5 Weeks Ago
In December, shortly after completing the task God had given me, Satan reared his deception.  Would I obey God on this matter when tested?  Will any follower of Christ obey under any circumstance?  We better understand there is surely a cost to following Christ (Luke 14:28).  The cross He instructs His followers to carry has a destination (Matthew 16:24-26).  It's not often preached, but you are carrying your cross to your death.  The death of your way, your will, your desires in exchange and in servitude to the Father's Business.  He must be your entire focus (John 8:29).  Not a single one of us could ever do this on our own, but through and by and in Jesus Christ, we can carry our cross, deny ourselves, and do what seems impossible!  Thank you, Lord, for your unspeakable gift!

Again in December, I prayed and shared what the Lord gave me to share to another group of people after a false doctrine had sadly been taught. The Lord was faithful to speak to me and guide me before and afterwards in remarkable ways.  I won't share most of the ways, but I will share some.  I can remember at one point thinking, "Lord, show me your righteous sceptre again to confirm this calling and the message."  What did He do?  At church, the following week, a documentary was shown.  Unexpectedly to me, but not to Him, this Great God!  Not one time, but two times,  Bible verses with the word sceptre appeared on the screen.  During very pivotal times of seeking Him in the last two years, He had shown me those very same two verses.  And again, this time He had shown me another area of the verses that I had not really paid attention to before:  The SCEPTRE.  He extended the sceptre to me just as I had requested before going to church!   I nearly wept as I sat there seeing that word on the screen.  He is faithful to guide His flock.

Returning to 3 Weeks Ago
So I return to the beginning of the blog: Shushan.  Before, during, and after trials of obedience, the Lord has surely always been faithful.  Just the other day, I shared with a pastor in Florida that the Lord had spoken to me in Hebrew and that I could only recall the word Shushan.  He said that while he was texting his response, his young daughter began whistling a song she had learned about Queen Esther.  The Lord truly amazes me.  He does.  Over and over again, I am drawn to Him.

I have learned that the Lord is always faithful to His word.  When we speak His Truth and obey His calling, He is pleased.

It is not the will of God that any should perish.  It is His will that we teach others to repent & believe (obey).

Today
Even today, the Lord continues to place His finger on His Truth. May we obey His Way and not the Devil's:

Matthew 4:11-19

11 Then the devil leaveth him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto him.
12 Now when Jesus had heard that John was cast into prison, he departed into Galilee;
13 And leaving Nazareth, he came and dwelt in Capernaum, which is upon the sea coast, in the borders of Zabulon and Nephthalim:
14 That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying,
15 The land of Zabulon, and the land of Nephthalim, by the way of the sea, beyond Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles;
16 The people which sat in darkness saw great light; and to them which sat in the region and shadow of death light is sprung up.
17 From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
18 And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers.
19 And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.

May we follow Jesus' example.  We shine the Light when we preach repentance and servitude.  

Conditioned to Fall

To condition.  One definition of condition is to “bring (something) into the desired state for use.”  Synonyms for condition include treat, prepare, prime, temper, process, acclimate, season.

The Bible is the book of truth, promise, & prophecy to name only a few descriptors.

Every word of the text is important – from cover to cover.  It is Truth.  It is God’s very word.  His Standard is on display for any to see.  The God who is angry with the wicked every day (Psalm 7:11-12) and the same God who offers mercy to man through the sacrifice of Jesus (1 John 2:2) resonates through and on every page.  God is the Lamb.  God is the Lion.  He is a God of mercy.  He is a God of vengeance.

Satan has fought hard to distort people’s acceptance of the whole Gospel.  Sometimes, we can only see Satan coming if he yells, “Death to Christianity!”  In those times, we clearly see him, and it is much easier to dismiss him.  In the form of ISIS, we can spot the so-called horns and pitchfork.  It is also easier to dismiss him in the form of an atheist.

But, you see, Satan presents himself in many forms.

Satan has been working at this deception thing a very long time.  He has been tempering and priming people since the Garden. Let me be more specific:  He has been conditioning the church (at least those within the church who allow him to do so) to believe a lopsided distortion of the Bible.  He doesn’t have to say, “Death to Christianity” directly.  He just has to distort it enough so that it becomes a false gospel under the guise of the True Gospel.  A false jesus under the guise of the real Jesus.  

Most of us have heard that if you place a frog into a pan of water and gradually heat up the water, the frog won’t even realize his death is imminent.  Why?  He gradually acclimates to the rising temperature, and because this is so gradual, he never thinks to jump from death to life.

What a tragic plan.

2 Corinthians 11:13-15
13 For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.
14 And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.
15 Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.

This subtle serpent even attempted to distort the Bible with Jesus Himself.  Jesus: the Word made flesh.  Do we believe he doesn’t attempt this with followers of Christ?  Have we fallen for it?

Matthew 4

1 Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the

devil.
2 And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungred.
3 And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread.
4 But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.
5 Then the devil taketh him up into the holy city, and setteth him on a pinnacle of the temple,
6 And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone. (Satan quotes the Bible to Jesus)
7 Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.
8 Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them;
9 And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me.
10 Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.
11 Then the devil leaveth him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto him.

 Do we see how Satan presented scripture to Jesus?  Do we really see this?  Satan quotes the Word of God to THE Word of God.  Satan does not approach Jesus by revealing his true plan:  “Jump off this pinnacle and kill yourself!”  No, he slithers in with subtlety.  Satan cannot push a person to sin, but he can quietly and helpfully entice.  “Do this sin. God will rescue you.”  A little twisting of scripture makes it much easier to swallow the poison.

Do we see Jesus’ response to the serpent’s subtlety?  “It is written again.”

Both figures say, “It is written.”  One figure seeks to distort the Truth of God’s Word, and the other seeks to establish the Truth of God’s Word.  Both use the Bible to do so. However, Jesus uses the Word properly to counteract Satan’s distortion of the Word.

The whole book must be eaten.  Although sweet and bitter, all of it is Truth.  We cannot afford to become acclimated to the sweet only.  Or the sour only.  That is distortion.  And that is of the Devil.

The Lord spoke to me once in a dream:  He said, “They have replaced sackcloth and ashes with sugar.” We see this trend in so many churches: "Only use the easily digested verses."  

Such sugary, lopsided conditioning by the Devil leads those who have been acclimated or tempered by him to strongly oppose the other side of the Truth when they hear it.  This is dangerous. This has and will lead to a falling away.

Read the word, follow the word, and warn those who are in error.  Warn them in order to help them, not to hurt them.  God knows who wants the whole Truth and whose ears refuse to hear it.  If the Lord has called you to complete a specific work in the body, do the work God has given you to do.

Be tempered by the whole Word of God in order to stand, or be conditioned by the Devil’s distorted version only to fall.

The Domino Effect

Most of us have either tried or watched someone try to set up dominoes, one by one.  It is a very careful process that must be initiated meticulously in order to prevent one domino from toppling over during the construction and thus causing all of the other carefully placed dominoes to fall.  When an unstable domino unexpectedly falls, most are like "Oh, no, the design wasn't finished yet."

We receive warning in the Word of God regarding leaven and what it has the power to do.  Paul poses this question to the Corinthian church because there is unrepentant sin being practiced by someone in the congregation of believers, and this willful sin is not being addressed appropriately by the brethren:

"Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump?"  1 Corinthians 5:6

In 1 Corinthians 5:1, Paul directly informs the church that there is fornication in the church.  A man is fornicating with his father's mother.  Paul does not dance around the topic.  He does not pretend it isn't there.  He does not look the other way.  He does not remain silent.  He addresses the sin (the leaven) head on.  Defiling action in the body of Christ is unacceptable.  It must be addressed.  It cannot be sidestepped. It cannot be watered down.  It cannot seem acceptable.

When one domino falls to serving sin, the next one in line topples over, and it effects the next domino, until that body of believers has compromised the Word of God for SIN.

Paul does not mince words 1 Corinthians 5:9-13:

9 - I wrote unto you in an epistle not to company with fornicators:
10 - Yet not altogether with the fornicators of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or with idolaters; for then must ye needs go out of the world.
11- But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolator, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat.
 12 - For what have I to do to judge them also that are without? do not ye judge them that are within?
 13 - But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person.

Above, Paul acknowledges that "in the world" there are a multitude of fornicators.  He knows that there is no way to completely avoid being around unbelievers who are practicing sin because believers live on the same Earth as unbelievers (1 Corinthians 5:10).   He further states that those who are unbelievers will be judged by the Lord.

However, please note what Paul says regarding those who are practicing sin INSIDE the church.  "Do not ye judge them that are within?" (verse 12).  Within what?  The church.  It is the responsibility to handle matters of sin when they arise in the church.  When fornication is being practiced.  When lying is being practiced.  When stealing is being practiced.  When anything that goes against the Word of God enters the church, it must be dealt with in order to avoid the entire congregation from becoming defiled by sin.  Sin.  Any sin.  Sin stands in stark opposition to the Truth of the Word of God.  Jesus is described as the Word of God. (John 1:14).   When we truly believe in Him, we believe in ALL of Him.  Paul does not say, "Let him go on sinning, and I'm sure he will snap out of it eventually."  No, that is not what this man of God says.

In the last verse of chapter 5, Paul uses the word "therefore."  That word is being used to indicate a final decision.  The word "therefore" in any sentence represents a conclusion on the matter that has been addressed:

"Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person." (1 Corinthians 5:13)

 Wow, Paul!  The word wicked is surely a strong word.  Who does he call wicked? Remove the

person who is committing fornication with his father's mother away from the congregation of believers. Sin spreads if not addressed.  It cannot go unaddressed in this church or within any congregation of believers.

What or who is Paul trying to protect?  This body of believers.  All body of believers.

Jesus addresses sin as well:

Matthew 18,
8 Wherefore if thy hand or thy foot offend thee, cut them off, and cast them from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life halt or maimed, rather than having two hands or two feet to be cast into everlasting fire.
9 And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life with one eye, rather than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire.

 In these two verses, Jesus addresses the audience as thy and thine, and if we revert to verse 1 of this chapter, we can see that Jesus is speaking to His disciples. I am a disciple of Christ, so I understand that He is also speaking to me here. If something in my life “offends” me, then it must be removed, or I am in danger of hell fire. These verses are spoken by Jesus Himself (the Word made flesh).

offend - skandalizo - to entrap i.e. trip up (fig. stumble or entice to sin, apostasy or displeasure)

This is a crucial question here:   Do we believe Jesus is saying this to His disciples in order to damn them?   No. Of course not. He is speaking this in order to save them. To save them! What a Saviour!

Jesus says, “A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye love one to another” (John 13: 34-35).

The same Jesus who just warned His disciples to remove sin and enticements of sin or

face Hell is the same Jesus who spoke of loving one another. LOVE is in action both times.  Both times.

Do we believe Paul did not love the brethren when he spoke out against the sin that was occurring in the Corinthian church? Of course not. 

If Paul had not spoken against the sin or the acceptance of the sin, then we could rightfully accuse him of not loving the brethren.

Church, the Lord is Holy and does not want, His Bride, to be made corrupt. Corruption will be cut out of the true Church. He will not allow unrepentant sinners to remain in His Body.   Withered branches on the vine indicate corruption and defilement.  Those branches are removed and cast into the fire (John 15). When we abide and obey the Lord, His Holy Spirit teaches us and guides us out of sin.   He purifies us.

However, when practicing sin is not repented of, the Lord is clear in John 15:6 and 1 Corinthians 5.  The person must be removed.  It is not the will of an Almighty God that an entire tree or church congregation be made corrupt by a "little leaven".  Sin cannot be winked at within a church.

Do we pray that the practicing sinner will come to repentance?  Absolutely.  That is the hope of Paul in verse 5:

"To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus."

By removing the member who is committing sin (or as Paul calls him the "wicked person"), he is now subject to Satan destroying his flesh.  Why?  To prevent sin from growing in the church & to hopefully bring the sinning man to repentance. The word "that" in the verse above is the Greek word "hina".  It means:  "in order that (denoting the purpose or the result)".  This demonstrates that excommunicating this fornicating church member "may" lead to godly sorrow unto repentance. (1 John 1:6, 1:7, 1:8, 1:9, Hebrews 6:4, 6:5, 6:6, 6:7, 6:8, 10:26, 10:27, 10:28, 10:29, 10:30, 10:31)  No repentance equals no salvation.

1 Corinthians 5:8  "Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth."

 Paul, who has given very strict instructions to this Corinthian church,  is sincere and is truthful.  By today's standards, these actions would be deemed cruel.  But by the Standard of the Word of God, these actions are sincere, and they are truthful.   

In the Word of God, we are told that the Lord is angry with the wicked every day. (Psalm 7:11)

The wicked. What did Paul just call the member of the Corinthian church who is practicing sin? The one who has not repented of his sin? Wicked. Paul, the loyal apostle to Jesus Christ, calls him that. He does not separate the sin of fornication from the person who is committing it.  He does not "allow" it ~because~ Jesus does not make allowances for it.

We must not be afraid of the whole counsel of God. Every word written in His book is good. All of it. All of it is love. Every word of warning is good. Every word of encouragement is good. All of it. All of it is true because Jesus is that Truth.  We can't pick and choose what part of Jesus we want to share.  We must be led of the Holy Spirit.

If we have made up our minds that we are just not going to address sin and repentance, we have failed an Almighty God.  We have been BAMBOOZLED by Satan himself.  Hook, line, and sinker.  There are a multitude of people headed for an eternal lake of fire.  Does this burden you?  It does me.  I don't want anyone screaming in agony on that lake for all eternity.  Are only the "soft" things of God to be spoken in order to save people?  Not according to Paul.  Not according to Jesus.  And not according to Jude below:

Jude 1:20-21
20 But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost,
21 Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.
                            keep - tereo - to guard (from loss or injury)
22And of some have compassion, making a difference:
23 And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh.

A warfare like no other is waged the moment one begins following Christ. As long as the believer IN CHRIST through prayer, faith, and obeying the Spirit, Satan cannot have the believer, but if a believer is hardened by sin and refuses to repent, that once believer does not have eternal life in Christ. God is merciful and will give a believer who is sinning ample opportunity to repent. However, if that believer does not “keep himself in the love of God”, there is no mercy and no eternal life. Faith in Christ and love for Christ are everything. This type of faith/love/belief is demonstrated by our obedience to Him. We are not working to be saved by our own self-righteousness. Thank God!  We, must however, be fully in-tune to the Holy Spirit of God and obey when He directs us.  If we say we believe in Christ, all the while believing that we can't overcome sin and shouldn't warn others who are sinning in the Body, we are following a false gospel.

We are living during a dangerous age when speaking the "hard" things of God are frowned upon.  Paul's actions in the Corinthian church would, today, be deemed unloving and divisive. 

 Oh, how far we have fallen away from the fundamental elements of the Word of God.  

In sincerity and truth, Paul warned this church against accepting that which was against God.  Was he doing it to hurt them? No, he was attempting to prevent corruption/sin from growing (a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump) and defiling the church. The body of Christ is arranged in order to edify one another.  To teach. To instruct. To guide. To perfect.  What a beautiful plan by a just and righteous God, whose desire is to see man saved, rather than lost eternally.

Other words of note spoken by Paul:

2 Corinthians 7:10

For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.

2 Corinthians 6:16-18

“16And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.

17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you.
18 And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.”

Galatians 6:8

“For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.”

 2 Corinthians 12:21

And lest, when I come again, my God will humble me among you, and that I shall bewail many which have sinned already, and have not repented of the uncleanness and fornication and lasciviousness which they have committed.