Tell It to the Church

Can one bad apple really spoil the whole bunch? That’s the conclusion in an article titled, “How One Bad Employee Can Corrupt a Whole Team” (Harvard Business Review, March 5, 2018). Apparently, even the most honest employees “become more likely to commit misconduct if they work alongside a dishonest individual.” Also, honest employees rarely influence dishonest employees to make better choices. In other words, “Among co-workers, it appears easier to learn bad behavior than good.”

The Bible gives guidelines on redemptive church discipline. God calls on the church to impress upon erring members the need to change their ways. The church of Ephesus was commended because it “cannot bear those who are evil” (Revelation 2:2). When private offenses happen between members, Jesus encourages you to “go and tell him his fault between you and him alone” (Matthew 18:15). If this person listens to you, “you have gained your brother.”

But what if the sinning brother doesn’t listen? Jesus recommends involving the fewest people possible in seeking resolution by teaching “take with you one or two more” (v. 16), and then finally, “if he refuses to hear them, tell it to the church” (v. 17). Under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, if these Bible guidelines are followed, there may come a time when the church will need to disfellowship a member.

Some apples are so bad that the apostle Paul suggests prompt action. Regarding a member who was flagrantly living immorally, he said, “Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump? Therefore purge out the old leaven” (1 Corinthians 5:6, 7). He even says “not to keep company with anyone named a brother, who is sexually immoral, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or an extortioner—not even to eat with such a person” (v. 11).

Bad apples really can corrupt the whole bunch!

Apply It:

Can you think of a time when you observed how one person’s misconduct influenced others to follow suit?

Dig Deeper:

2 Thessalonians 3:6–14; Titus 3:10, 11; Revelation 2:14, 15, 20

Key Bible Texts

Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. (Matthew 18:18 KJV)