DCLM Higher Everyday 18 April 2026 — An Ugly Trend In A Holy Gathering
Topic: An Ugly Trend In A Holy Gathering
Bible Reading: 1 Corinthians 5:1-11 (KJV)
1It is reported commonly that there is fornication among you, and such fornication as is not so much as named among the Gentiles, that one should have his father’s wife.
3For I verily, as absent in body, but present in spirit, have judged already, as though I were present, concerning him that hath so done this deed,
4In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when ye are gathered together, and my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ,
5To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.
6Your glorying is not good. Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump?
7Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us:
8Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.
9I wrote unto you in an epistle not to company with fornicators:
10Yet not altogether with the fornicators of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or with idolaters; for then must ye needs go out of the world.
11But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat.
MEMORY VERSE: “It is reported commonly that there is fornication among you, and such fornication as is not so much as named among the Gentiles, that one should have his father’s wife” (I Corinthians 5:1).
Message
The Church is the bride of Christ, called to reflect His holiness and purity. Yet, even in sacred gatherings, there are times when unholy behaviours and compromises infiltrate, threatening the testimony and spiritual health of God’s people. Such was the case in Corinth, where immorality was not only present but openly tolerated. Paul’s rebuke in this passage was firm and direct, reminding us that God’s Church must not accommodate sin under any circumstance.
This “ugly trend” of excusing sin in a holy gathering is not unique to Corinth. Today, similar compromises occur when youths in the church prioritize comfort, popularity, or appearance over righteousness. Sin, when left unchecked, becomes a spiritual cancer that spreads, corrupting individuals and entire communities. Tolerance of sin in the church is an act of spiritual betrayal – it denies the holiness of God and the power of His transforming grace their places in the church. God’s standard for holiness is clear: “…Be ye holy; for I am holy.” (1 Peter 1:16). Holiness is not an optional trait for Christian youths – it is the essence of our relationship with God
PRAYER FOR TODAY
Lord, cleanse my heart and input holiness in my life
CHALLENGE
Stand against compromise.
QUOTE
God’s standard for holiness is clear
1. Admit that you are a sinner. "For all [humans] have sinned, and comes short of the glory of God....[and] the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord" (Romans 3:23)
2. Repent now. "Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out ...[for] if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness " (Acts 3:19, 1 John 1:9)
3. Believe that God loves you and Jesus died for you. "God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet Sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8)
4. Invite Jesus into your life through prayer of faith. Jesus says, "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me" (Revelation 3:20)
