Numbers 5:1-3 And Jehovah spake unto Moses, saying, “Command the children of Israel, that they put out of the camp every leper, and every one that has an issue, and whoever is unclean by the dead: both male and female shall ye put out, without the camp shall ye put them, that they defile not the camp, in the midst of which whereof I dwell.” Spock said in one of the Star Trek movies, “The needs of the many outweigh the needs of the one.” That’s the idea of what’s addressed here. If the leper were allowed to stay, the disease would spread and many more would be unnecessarily sick. This is a simple concept. Yet our present culture focuses on the feelings of the one and makes exceptions. While this appears more compassionate, it’s not for those that get ill. There’s a New Testament lesson that applies. Paul tells the Corinthians to put out the sinning believer. This is not referring to an illness, but willful sin. The Corinthians thought they we being loving by their tolerance. Paul said no. He gave two reasons: the health of the body and the health of the individual. The church is kept healthy by asking a member to leave who is in disobedience to scripture. Just like lepersy is contagious, so is sin. This is difficult, but purifying to the church. Does this means anyone who sins can’t attend church? No. Paul addresses this point. He said that he didn’t mean they couldn’t associate with a sinning unbeliever. Otherwise, they couldn’t go to work. It’s only the christian in sin. Someone may say, “don’t we all sin?” Yes, but Paul isn’t addressing the times we stumble. It’s an attitude that’s unrepentant about their unbiblical behavior. An alcoholic make keep that lifestyle with no remorse and no intention of changing. There are dozens of other sins that also apply. This is also healthy for the person asked to leave. They feel the shame of being excluded. Paul says it’s delivering them over to Satan for a beating, which would eventually save their souls. In 2 Corinthians, Paul tells them to invite the repentant believer back. This is tough love. It’s difficult. Parents have to go through this with their kids. All sorts of drama comes up. In the end, it’s for the good. Lord, thank You for Your ways. Help us to discern when to be merciful with compassion and when to use tough love.