Friendly Fire – How Do We Stop It?
If you have watched any news about the war, you have been hearing about "friendly fire." There have been several instances where we have lost troops because of this. English air pilots, several marines at Najaf, our own tanks have overrun soldiers, and even an unusual instance where a member of the 101st Airborne Division evidently purposefully grenaded his own men killing 2 and wounding 14. Friendly fire can be deadly fire in our armed services.
What about the Lord’s army? Do we ever suffer from "friendly fire?" You know we do. Many are maimed, hurt, and suffer from the effects of "friendly fire." I want to look at friendly fire within our church and fellowship and examine how it is important in our lives.
First let me read…
Matt. 13: 24 Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field:
25 But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way.
26 But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also.
27 So the servants of the householder came and said unto him, Sir, didst not thou sow good seed in thy field? from whence then hath it tares?
28 He said unto them, An enemy hath done this. The servants said unto him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up?
29 But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them.
30 Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn.
Rom 7:23 But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.
2 Cor 10:4 For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)
Eph 6:12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
There are several questions we can ask, first…
What is it?
Unintentional or intentional damage done to fellow soldier/servants
(101st Airborne grenade attack)
Not all deadly, but all potentially hurtful
Next…
How is it done?
Psa 50:20 Thou sittest and speakest against thy brother; thou slanderest thine own mother's son.
Gossip
Slander, defamation, lies, misrepresentation, etc.
Discouraging words
Loose lips
We also must wonder and look at…
Why is it done?
Too zealous (disciples ready to send people away)
Jealousy
Dislike
Lack of knowledge (our job to inform them it is wrong)
Power misused
Spies or enemies within
And we need to know…
What are the results?
Prov 18:19 A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city: and their contentions are like the bars of a castle.
Wounded "soldiers" or workers
Hurt feelings
Low morale – discouragement
Leery or wary "volunteers"
Desertion from the field of battle
Floundering and weakened army
Most important, we must deal with…
How do we stop or control it?
1 Tim 1:18 This charge I commit unto thee, son Timothy, according to the prophecies which went before on thee, that thou by them mightest war a good warfare;
1 Tim 6:12 Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.
2 Tim 2:4 No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.
We care enough to be good "soldiers"
Know our partners
Trust our partners
Stand side by side
Follow directions of our Commander-in Chief
Watch our "weapons"
Show diligence in our efforts
Watch for signs of "friendly fire" and prevent it
Stop! (Wheat and chaff)
Are you a victim of friendly fire?
Are you guilty of friendly fire?
Do you think this harms the body of Christ (the Church)?
Should friendly fire go no unchecked?
Will you make an effort to help do away with friendly fire?
Gary Marcum – New Beginnings Church – 033003am