1. IT COULD CAUSE DIVISIONS.

    Obedience to Christ and His Word is more important than an artificial unity built on disobedience and compromise. A lack of discipline will contribute to greater disunity.

2. IT WOULD BE "JUDGING" ON OUR PART.

    If guilt is clearly established (as is essential), then the person has judged himself. As long as he refuses to repent, he continues to pronounce himself guilty. The church only pronounces the judgment of Christ upon the person.

3. WE ARE ALL SINNERS SO HOW CAN WE CONDEMN ANOTHER?

    Yes, we are all sinners. If we are persisting in open sin without repentance, we, too, should be disciplined. We, ourselves, condemn nobody. We only pronounce the judgment of Christ upon those who bring this censure upon themselves by persisting in sin.

4. HOW CAN I TRUST THE SPIRITUAL LEADERS IN CONFIDENCE WITH ANY SIN PROBLEMS I MIGHT HAVE?

    If you go to a spiritual leader to get help to conquer a sin, you have already begun demonstrating fruit unto repentance. If you have no intention or desire to be delivered from the sin, then discipline is in order. Is confidentiality and friendship more important than godliness and God's glory?

5. IT SEEMS UNLOVING. WOULDN'T IT BE BETTER TO LEAD THEM GRADUALLY OUT OF SIN?

    Certainly, if progress is visible, then that procedure should be continued. If there is no visible progress, then discipline is in order. To continue to "talk" with a person who has intention to continue in sin is a failure to act biblically (Titus 3:10-11).

6. WHY FOLLOW THE PROCEDURE IF THE OFFENDER DECIDES TO LEAVE THE CHURCH ON HIS/HER OWN?

    To permit this could be construed as "sweeping sin under the carpet." The failure to discipline is admission to the idea that there is no spiritual power or authority in the act, but simply a breaking of outward ties.