1 Cor. 5 [The Message]

Although this is not an easy subject to deal with, Paul makes it clear that it cannot be swept under the rug. He makes statements like;

• Shouldn’t this break your hearts? Shouldn’t it bring you to your knees in tears? Shouldn’t this person and their conduct be confronted and dealt with?
• You must not simply look the other way and hope it goes away on its own. Bring it out in the open and deal with it in the authority of Jesus our Master.
• Hold this conduct up to public scrutiny. Let them defend it if they can! But if they can’t, then out with them! It will be totally devastating to them, of course, and embarrassing to you. But better devastation and embarrassment than damnation. You want them on their feet and forgiven before the Master on the Day of Judgment.

Promiscuous inclinations are best dealt with early, before families have to suffer the damage.

Nobody wants to eat “wild oats.”