Excellent point.
16 There are six things which Jehovah hateth; Yea, seven which are an abomination unto him:
17 Haughty
eyes, a lying
tongue, And
hands that shed innocent blood;
18 A
heart that deviseth wicked purposes,
Feet that are swift in running to mischief,
19 A false witness that uttereth lies, And he that soweth discord among brethren. Prov 16
In lieu of applying the passage on an individual basis, consider Christ's words to be addressed to the corporate Hebrew Church (body), which before that generation passed away was to be inundated with false [Judaizing] prophets, teachers and messiahs that would lead them astray, i.e., “it must needs be that the occasions [of stumbling] come”. Christ is telling them that
no matter how much it hurts they must 'put away the evil from the midst of them lest the many be defiled'. If you've ever had to exclude a church member then you know that it can be a very painful experience for all, especially if it's also family that is involved.
8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, should preach unto you any gospel other than that which we preached unto you,
let him be anathema.
9 As we have said before, so say I now again, if any man preacheth unto you any gospel other than that which ye received,
let him be anathema. Gal 1
10 For there are many unruly men, vain talkers and
deceivers, specially they of the circumcision,
11
whose mouths must be stopped; men who overthrow whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre`s sake.
13 This testimony is true. For which cause
reprove them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith,
14 not giving heed to Jewish fables, and commandments of men who turn away from the truth. Titus 1
9 but shun foolish questionings, and genealogies, and
strifes, and fightings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain.
10
A factious man after a first and second admonition refuse; Titus 3
17 Now I beseech you, brethren, mark
them that are causing the divisions and occasions of stumbling, contrary to the doctrine which ye learned: and
turn away from them.
18 For they that are such serve not our Lord Christ, but their own belly; and by their smooth and fair speech they beguile the hearts of the innocent. Ro 16
15 looking carefully lest there be any man that falleth short of the grace of God;
lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby the many be defiled; Heb 12
8
Take heed unto yourselves, and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit hath made you bishops, to feed the church of the Lord which he purchased with his own blood.
29 I know that after my departing
grievous wolves shall enter in among you, not sparing the flock;
30 and
from among your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them.
31 Wherefore watch ye, remembering that by the space of three years I ceased not to admonish every one night and day with tears. Acts 20
2 I know thy works, and thy toil and patience, and that
thou canst not bear evil men, and didst try them that call themselves apostles, and they are not, and didst find them false;
6 But this thou hast, that
thou hatest the works of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. Rev 2
All in the same vein as:
then they shall bring out the damsel to the door of her father`s house, and the men of her city shall stone her to death with stones, because she hath wrought folly in Israel, to play the harlot in her father`s house: so shalt thou
put away the evil from the midst of thee. Dt 22:21
The hand of the witnesses shall be first upon him to put him to death, and afterward the hand of all the people. So thou shalt
put away the evil from the midst of thee. Dt 17:7
