Friendly Fire

[NOTE: This post was originally published on jimfaughn.com. It is reprinted here with permission.]

Military spokesmen and the news media seem to use a variety of phrases in an attempt to sanitize some of the unpleasant aspects of war. From time to time, we hear reports of troops being wounded or killed by “friendly fire.” That somehow sounds better than having to report that the damage was done by one of our own bullets, missiles, bombs, etc.

Sometimes, the evidence indicates that the fire was not so friendly. At times, some apparently take advantage of the confusion caused by the intensity of a particular battle to settle some personal grudge with a fellow soldier (maybe a superior officer).

I have wondered at times how often “friendly fire” damages the Lord’s army. Could it possibly be that some of our wounds and casualties come from our own ranks?

We know that Paul had to deal with “…perils among false brethren” (2 Cor. 11:26). He also warned that: “But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another” (Gal. 5:15).

Sadly, it seems that some have neither learned from Paul’s experience, nor heeded his warning. Some in the Lord’s army seem more intent fighting a brother or sister, discrediting them, spreading gossip about them, and/or ignoring them than they are on waging war against our real enemy.

“Friendly fire” among us may cause the loss of two souls. The one “fired at” may be so wounded that he or she never recovers. The one who does the “firing” is most certainly damage beyond measure until and unless he or she repents.

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Photo background credit: PEO Soldier on Creative Commons