[b]Warning the Unruly[i]by Alan Martin
“Now we exhort you brethren, warn those who are unruly” is a much needed admonition today, but let’s not be quick to think that others need it more than we do. What did Paul consider unruly? We can’t be sure in an absolute way, but there is a great benefit to be gained in considering one of the ways the original word was used. Unruly comes from the Greek word “ataktos” meaning out of order. This word for order was used in the arraignment of military ranks, thus to be unruly could mean “to break rank.”
This kind of “unruliness” is far too common among believing assemblies today, and the results of it have left many casualties upon the battlefield of spiritual warfare. The success of many victorious military campaigns (especially in the age of hand to hand combat) hinged upon the order and discipline achieved among the soldiers. Often times the battle was decided upon which army first broke rank and lost the protection of critical alignment and coordination. Confidence in one’s fellow soldier and the commanding officer was the mental bulwark against fear and panic.
When lack of discipline, inexperience, or training met a violent and terrifying assault from an enemy line, the resulting panic and disorder resulted in devastation if not total annihilation of entire companies. The danger of unruliness was more to be feared than the enemy’s sword, spear or cavalry. Fear and panic is contagious, and the ensuing disorder it produces gives the enemy a critical advantage over his opponent.
Where are the disciplined and experienced soldiers of the cross who do not break rank at the assault of the enemy, who refuse to consider their own safety and stand firm despite the great cost to their own lives? Believers’ distrust of fellow believers is a plague among the soldiers of the cross today. Many believers today have little stomach and discipline to stand their ground, keep their rank, and turn back the attack upon the church. Far too many are quick to sense the potential danger and flee to the hills considering only their own safety and not the lives of their fellow soldiers.
Mature believers should have experience and a proven character that provide that support and order young soldiers desperately need. Are we longsuffering when hostilities arise, false accusations begin to fly, and battle lines begin to form? Do we have spiritual endurance – that ability to stay under at our post when others have begun to flee for their own safety or comfort? Can other young believers count on us to abide in our strong position of faith and rest in the midst of the enemy’s strategic assault?
How orderly have we been? How many fellowships have withstood the enemy’s assault due in part to our own steadfastness and willingness to lay our own lives down for the sake of others? How many fellow soldiers are casualties of the fear and panic that our own unruliness has caused? How many fellow soldiers have been wounded in our flight to save ourselves and seek our own safety? Where are the proven soldiers who would rather die faithful, than retreat in fear?
Brothers and sisters, let us not be unruly (break rank) any longer. When the assault begins, let us stand firm in the faith, and love not our own lives to death, and not allow the enemy’s roar to unsettle us or move us from our place beside our brethren. Better a dead martyr than a live coward; better a wounded victor than a whole loser. The battle will likely reveal who is really fighting only for his own life, and who is fighting for his Lord and his brethren.