I wrote to
the church, but Diotrephes, who loves to be first, will not welcome us. So when I
come, I will call attention to what he is doing, spreading malicious nonsense
about us. Not satisfied with that, he even refuses to welcome other believers.
He also stops those who want to do so and puts them out of the church. 3 John 9
Sometimes,
yes, it needs to happen. People can
become divisive and hurtful, believing they are being truthful and
necessary. However, they are no more
helpful than cancer. Their diagnosis of
the problem is more a selfish request than godly insight.
If
their lifestyles invite sin and they infect a small group, then can drive dozens
towards the flesh instead of deeper into faith.
It’s
not a preferred method of dealing with divisive people, but removing them from
the body is best for all. Conversation
and confrontation, mixed with prayer and mercy, must be shown first. However, if all that fails, asking that
person to go is necessary.
If
anything, it’s best for the divisive person so they can move on and find
spiritual contentment somewhere else (which is probably unlikely).