STAY AWAY FROM DISRUPTIVE PEOPLE

PROCLAMATION

“Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every believer that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received from us.”  2 Thessalonians 3:6 (KJV)

 

EXPLANATION

These words were written by the Apostle Paul, under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God, to the believers in the church at Thessalonica.  Paul begins this third and final chapter of this second letter to them by asking them to pray for him and his fellow laborers. (2 Thessalonians 3:1-2)  Then he offers a brief prayer for them. (2 Thessalonians 3:5)  Afterwards, he told them to keep away from every believer who is disorderly and who does not live according to the way that they have been taught. (2 Thessalonians 3:6)  He repeated this later in the letter and added that they were not to treat the disobedient one as an enemy, but to make them feel ashamed of their behavior and to warn them. (2 Thessalonians 3:14-15)  He also told them that if an idle brother is unwilling to work, then he should not be given food to eat. (2 Thessalonians 3:10)  He ended the letter with a brief prayerful benediction. (2 Thessalonians 3:16-18)

 

APPLICATION

We should be very careful regarding the company that we keep and the friends that we associate with.  People will group you in with those that you hang out with.  As the old saying goes: “Birds of a feather will flock together.” (Author Unknown)  The Bible states the same thing but somewhat differently: “Can two walk together, except they be agreed?” (Amos 3:3)  As believers we are to witness to the lost, but we are not to fraternize with them on their level.  If we cannot pull them up out of their sin with The Word of God, then we should not let them pull us down into their sinful behavior.  If we cannot help them, it is better for us to avoid them.  We should also avoid those who claim to be believers but will not engage in any kingdom building activities.  God is not the author of confusion. (1 Corinthians 14:33)  Therefore, believers should not be the source of disruption within the church.  Any disruptive brother or sister should be admonished but in love.  A soft word will be easier to accept and will turn away wrath, but a harsh word will likely stir up anger. (Proverbs 15:1)  So let your words of admonition and correction be graceful and seasoned with salt. (Colossians 4:6)