Compassionate Resistance

And if anyone does not obey our instruction in this letter, take note of that person; don't associate with him, so that he may be ashamed. Yet don't treat him as an enemy, but warn him as a brother. - 2 Thessalonians 3:14-15 HCSB

Many of us have learned from our days in preschool that we are to be nice to everyone. “Don’t say mean things!” we are repeatedly warned. “Don’t you want to be his friend?”

But if being nice means empowering a wicked person to continue hurting others, then I choose to be antisocial. If friendliness comes to mean that I become a milque-toast, mamby-pamby, weak-kneed, spineless jelly fish when it comes to justice, then I refuse to play. If “not saying anything mean” is defined as remaining silent before the atrocities and injustices that plague our world, then I choose to shout.

Solomon warned, “Rescue those being taken off to death, and save those stumbling toward slaughter. If you say, ‘But we didn't know about this,’ won't He who weighs hearts consider it? Won't He who protects your life know? Won't He repay a person according to his work?”[1]

It is easy to apply those verses to the people who fell victim to the tsunami; to evil dictators; to the various plagues that have so recently befallen us; or to the millions of unborn children who have been murdered in our “Christian” country. What about resisting evil in our own back yards? What about the wickedness that is found in our own families or churches? Should we not equally resist sin there too?

Perhaps you fear the consequences. Ezekiel was a prophet. He was the pastor, the religious leader of his people. God warned him, "Son of man, I have made you a watchman over the house of Israel. When you hear a word from My mouth, give them a warning from Me. If I say to the wicked person: You will surely die, but you do not warn him--you don't speak out to warn him about his wicked way in order to save his life--that wicked person will die for his iniquity. Yet I will hold you responsible for his blood. But if you warn a wicked person and he does not turn from his wickedness or his wicked way, he will die for his iniquity, but you will have saved your life.”[2]

You see, by choosing to do nothing, you are still choosing. Consequences will arise whether you do something or nothing. The difference is, by resisting evil you may get to choose the consequence. You may make a positive impact upon those you are trying to help.

Should you be kind? Certainly. Should you be compassionate? Absolutely. However, Paul defined true love by saying, “Love must be without hypocrisy. Detest evil; cling to what is good.”[3] Encourage what is good in your friends and loved ones. Discourage what is evil. Are you ready to practice compassionate resistance?


[1] Proverbs 24:11-12 HCSB
[2] Ezekiel 3:17-19 HCSB
[3] Romans 12:9 HCSB