Besetting - the influence on others?

In 2 Corinthians 12, Paul talks of his thorn in the flesh. In Galatians 4 Paul tells how the assembly received him, despite the infirmity of the flesh.

Some assume by taking these two passages and consider the weakness was in the eyes; it could have been, but there are other answers that are just as acceptable.

For instance, it is possible that at some point the stoning(s) that Paul received left him with brain damage and either partial mobility issues or seizures.

It is possible that Luke traveling with Paul was more than mere companionship, but that Paul suffered some mental or physical ailment that obliged a physician's assistance. For instance trauma of the head can manifest in narcolepsy. Can you imagine, preacher, suddenly falling asleep in the midst of the message? That would certainly be a change of place.

It is possible that the satanic assault (perhaps brought on by the recovery from stoning) could have manifested in Paul with many kinds of unsightly drooling, tics, ... of the physical nature, but also of the mental problems associated with going through any major traumas - three times. I know that Paul certainly spent a great amount of time in his writings addressing the issues of the old versus new nature conflicts. Often it is the case that what a preacher preaches on the most, they have a problem within themselves.

I am not supposing any condition or lack upon Paul. That is not the purpose of the thread. Paul obviously had some problem that some believers did not want to associate with him or he wouldn't have complimented the Galatians for accepting him.


What I am asking:

What "besetting sin" or condition can a believer manifest that would prevent the believer from being accepted into the assembly?

Can you think of any physical, mental, emotional, ... condition in which the assembly should ask the believer to no longer associate with them?

 

I assume you do not consider Paul sinless - perfect.

Am I to assume that you think that the only way to deal with a person who, "has a sin problem then they need to be dealt with through church discipline?"

What if it were not a sin problem, could you consider the other parts of the the questions?

 

There is more than a "spiritual abuse" issue when a pastor or someone asks someone to leave the assembly.

Here are two accounts of folks being asked to leave. After the accounts the questions.

"A couple times at a church here in Portland, the lead pastor has very kindly asked people to leave. I remember a specific time he just stood up and asked how many people had been coming to church for a year or more but hadn’t found a way to plug into the community. He then invited them to plug in (which at this church means to serve or find a home group or work in a ministry), and then told them if they hadn’t found a place that fit them, it might be time to try another church. It sounds rude, and the pastor wasn’t making anybody feel guilty—he just needed the chairs. He didn’t want to have to preach another service. The next week, there was a slight drop in attendance which freed up some chairs. I always admired that about this pastor."​

Read the whole article here: Asking People to Leave Church

"So last Sunday I did something that brought me some very quizzical looks from a lot of people. Last Sunday I brought Pastor Dan O’Leary up on stage with me during all 4 of our Sunday services at True North. During announcements, I told our congregation that many of them needed to pray about maybe leaving our church to join Dan in what he’s doing at Arise Community Church."​

Read the whole article here: Why I asked people to leave our church



Do you think that either pastor was wrong in their request?

If not, why?

If so, why?

Did either pastor cross the line of pastoral authority?

If not, why?

If so, why?