“The good fighters of old first put themselves beyond the possibility of defeat, and then waited for an opportunity of defeating the enemy.” – Sun Tzu, The Art of War
“For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begins at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?” – 1 Peter 4:17
This year, several high-profile preachers have resigned or have been removed from their pastoral offices. In some cases the specific charges of sin were made public; in some cases a vague “moral failing” was the only explanation provided. While any unfaithful Christian is a bad representation of the Lord Jesus, church leaders with public influence deal an especially damaging blow to the advancement of the kingdom of God when their sin is exposed.
Incidents of high-profile Christian failure raise questions about the health of the American Christian church. While it would be concerning to find a single rotten joist in the subflooring, there are times where the crumbling support is yet another piece of evidence that the fall of the building is imminent. “How healthy is the nationwide Church? Are these most recent failures a sign that America is on its way down?” We don’t know the future; only God does. But to find compromised leaders at precisely the time where believers need to apply the cultural pressure of the gospel bodes ill indeed.
Sun Tzu, according to legend, was a Chinese general from the 6th century B.C. And while the quote above doesn’t account for the Lord in either the literal or metaphorical sense, Sun Tzu’s words outline a helpful strategy for those who desire to see evil cast down. The order of operations is this: first, prepare your defenses; second, launch an attack. Of course, it is the Lord who wages war against His enemies. Christ has decisively defeated Satan at the cross and through the empty tomb, and the serpent’s doom is imminent. But in the meantime, the Lord organizes many smaller campaigns and skirmishes. Christians who want to wade into the thick of the battle and see souls, churches, families, and cities recaptured for God’s glory would be wise to take Sun Tzu’s advice: before drawing your sword, be sure to root out defeat inside the camp.
What does this have to do with 1 Peter? Well, here in chapter 4 of his first letter, Peter writes to persecuted believers who are undergoing a “fiery trial.” However, Peter doesn’t take it for granted all the professing believers are behaving righteously. He warns them to take care they are persecuted for legitimate reasons. “If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye,” he says in verse 14, “for the spirit of glory and of God resteth on you.” But,” he warns, “let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men’s matters” (v. 15). Peter reminds his readers and us that suffering is not necessarily and automatically blessed by God. It is possible to be harassed and it simply be the consequences of corrupt behavior finally catching up. High-profile pastors who experience the fallout of their immorality have earned the derision of the watching world. When suffering is self-inflicted in this way, the believer becomes more of an obstacle to advancing Christ’s kingdom than the would-be persecutor; the latter simply becomes a tool of God’s paternal chastisement. If we are to suffer, Peter goes on to say in verse 16, the joy of being harassed for Christ’s name with a clear conscience is worthy of glorifying God, not of shame.
The point of this passage is important for the church and all its institutions. Judgment must come, Peter says. It will fall on whoever has earned it, for the Lord is no respecter of persons. However, according to verse 17, God’s pattern is to begin not with the wicked world, but with the house of God—with believers. We are the bellwether of God’s work in the world. That is, before revival comes as the gospel converts the lost, revival must first come as believers repent and are restored and refreshed. Similarly, judgment on the genuine and professing church is a sign of more extensive judgment to come on the unbelieving city, state, or nation. Not only does sin in the camp make God’s church unfit to fight in the spiritual battle, it makes the church the Lord’s first target.
American Christians are wise to heed 1 Peter 4:17. If our churches and families are compromised and worldly, our nation cannot stand. Further, if we ever find the organizational church is being dismantled because God has tried it and found it wanting, then the larger American system is destined to fall as well. If the American church continues to permit sinful defeat in its ranks, our culture will crack and crumble, and the consequences will be dire. Peter says that God’s judgment on a culture is a frightening prospect. “if [judgment] first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God? And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?”
To accomplish genuine spiritual victory that delays judgment, changes our nation’s course, and promotes righteousness, we must first put our own selves beyond the risk of spiritual defeat. Our goal is not to reach a point where temptation cannot touch us; 1 Corinthians 10:12 clearly warns that those who don’t think they are vulnerable are actually closest to sinning. Rather, we should fix the sin problems we are aware of but haven’t gotten around to confessing and repenting. Build godly habits. Eliminate the greatest source of temptation. Add the physical or spiritual discipline that would make the most difference. Filter your thoughts. Guard your eyes. Watch your tongue. Confess sin. Forgive. Spend more time with Scripture or prayer. Start a God-honoring project. Stop wasting time. Kiss your wife. Talk about Christ with your kids. Do good to your neighbors in Jesus’ name. Fix a broken appliance or organize a messy room.
The principle of securing defenses before attacking is most directly applicable to pastors, especially with examples of morally disqualified church leaders on our minds. However, 1 Peter 4 and ancient Chinese military strategy are relevant to any Christian with authority or a leadership position. If you train or direct others, even children, you are a military leader in Christ’s army, and the health of your band of soldiers matters. If we are vulnerable to attack in one area, we should repair the weakness, so the Lord can use us to charge the gates of hell. Only the Lord knows what eternal good can come of it.
The above article was written by Jonathan Kyser. He is a pastoral assistant at NorthStone Baptist Church in Pensacola, FL. To offer him your feedback, comment below or email us at strengthforlife461@gmail.com.
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