Saying No to Militancy

"And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, {25} In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; {26} And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will." (2 Timothy 2:24-26)

In my younger years I often fell into a rhythm of militancy when expressing my doctrinal understanding and convictions. It required a great deal of time for the truth of “the servant of the Lord MUST NOT strive” (emphasis mine)to sink in. After years of ministry it has been my observation that a militant presentation of truth is a fruitless endeavor. At times it has appeared that one has been successful in making converts to ones point of view only to discover that a new militant has been created. This suggests that the person influenced was not persuaded of truth but was, in reality, a militant looking for a cause.

Strife only breeds more strife as indicated in Proverbs 15:18 when Solomon writes; “A wrathful man stirreth up strife: but he that is slow to anger appeaseth strife." Our apostle of grace, Paul, exhorted believers to "let nothing be done through strife or vainglory.” I can with honesty attest that I have never witnessed one spiritual victory gained through militancy. Militancy is not about gentleness but conquering. Militancy is not about teaching but replication and rigidity. Militancy is not about patience or meekness but the properly timed strike, and triumph, and the pride of a vanquished foe.

Someone once said that Christians, in the spiritual battle, are often guilty of shooting their own wounded. Perhaps not, but it does often appear that believers are quick to throw another believer under the bus, so to speak, rather than to extend themselves in sincere ministry and edification. Paul makes it clear that the battleground of the Lord’s servant is the mind. To win the mind requires gentle, patient, and meek instruction which enables the errant to recover themselves. The result of a campaign of this nature is capitulation to truth, not the conquest of one will over another. Truth becomes the victor, not the Lord’s servant.

"For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. {15} But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another." (Galatians 5:14-15)

"For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost. {18} For he that in these things serveth Christ is acceptable to God, and approved of men. {19} Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another." (Romans 14:17-19)

Where Did He Go?

Recently, I have pondered the fate of the self-assured and optimistic young man pictured here. It required finding this likeness in my digital archives as I couldn’t retrieve his image mentally. As fuzzy as the mental visage is the mind and philosophy. And yet, I remember certain things about him. He was so idealistic and I am so historic and realistic. He was so energetic and I am stolid. He had delusions of changing the world while I am more interested in survival.

True, there are some positive differences. He was nervous and his self-assuredness was more bravado than substance while I am comfortable in my skin. He was somewhat self-absorbed while I am more aware of circumstances and people around me. He was more easily angered and argumentative while I am more laid back and introspective.

At times I wish I could go back to the days of my youth, but in reality I recognize that, even if it were possible, it’s doubtful that I would do it much better the second time around. I guess I’ll just be content with who I have become.