By Mark A. Taylor
Many would characterize the church”s work in the world as spiritual warfare. Our enemy is Satan, and our tools are “the full armor of God” (Ephesians 6:11-17).
But not all soldiers in this war persevere until it”s won. Some grow weary of the enemy”s clever schemes and effective tactics. They wear out, give up, and decide to walk away.
Why do some continue while others leave the battle?
The Bible suggests several answers, one of them underscored by findings from contemporary students of American history.
Heroes and Cowards, written by husband-and-wife team Dora L. Costa and Matthew E. Kahn, looks at deserters from the Union army during the Civil War. About 200,000 soldiers, 10 percent of the total, walked away from their units; and the authors analyzed 41,000 life histories of Union troops to discover why.
David Courtwright reviewed their book in the January 13 edition of The Wall Street Journal, and summarized their conclusions simply:
The main finding . . . is that companies composed of volunteers of similar age and occupation who were born in the same areas were the least likely to suffer desertion. . . . [The authors] approvingly quote Ardant du Picq, a 19th-century French colonel and military theorist. “Four brave men who do not know each other will not dare to attack a lion. Four less brave, but knowing each other well, sure of their reliability and consequently of mutual aid, will attack resolutely.”
In other words, victory in battle may depend on unity of the troops. “Social cohesion was good for morale, and good morale kept men fighting.”
Maybe it”s a stretch to compare desertion from Civil War battles to spiritual faithfulness today. But the New Testament”s frequent admonitions to unity, healthy body life, and love among Christians suggest a connection.
Could it be that congregations whose members know each other well are more effective at withstanding spiritual challenges? Could it be that effective evangelism begins with healthy fellowship? Could it be that a sharp “external focus” can best be maintained by a vigilant community-building strategy within the congregation?
It”s true that some churches (or Sunday school classes or small groups) are so self-absorbed they never look beyond their own interests. Their leaders do well to enlist them in spiritual battles. (After all, soldiers accomplish little in the barracks, no matter how much they enjoy each other there.)
But when guessing an army”s ability to defeat the enemy, camaraderie and trust among the troops are key factors, whether the battle is physical or spiritual.
Author: Christian Standard
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