Wisdom's Corner
You May Have to Shorten Your Sail

In the days of the Bible much travel was done by ship. The people who lived around the Mediterranean Sea many times would travel to other nations by ship. These ships had sails. The sailors were very skilled in positioning the sails so that they could go where they wanted to go.

The sails could be turned so that the ship would go with the wind. No matter which direction the wind was blowing the sails could be positioned so that the ship would go where the sailors wanted to go, even if it was against the wind.

The sails could be fully extended for speed. Or the sails could be compacted or shortened for accuracy of direction in difficult weather conditions. In very bad storms, the sails could be destroyed if they were not compacted. And by compacting the sails, the ship could be quickly moved away from dangerous rocks that would sink the ship.

In 2 Thessalonians 3:6 we read, "Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us." The word "withdraw" is from the greek word used for shortening or compacting your sails.

You are to quickly move away from the Christian who has decided not to follow Christ. You are to shorten your sails so that you will not be sunk on the dangerous rock of his actions. You compact your sails so that your sails are not destroyed by his dangerous winds. And you compact your sails so that he sees you leaving him behind as you more accurately sail your ship toward heaven.

This action is done in the hope that the disorderly brother will change his ways and sail the way he should. It is not done in a mean way but in a way that will make him ashamed that he has left following Christ.

This action is done in the hope that the disorderly brother will change his ways and sail the way he should. It is not done in a mean way but in a way that will make him ashamed that he has left following Christ.

It is hoped that we never have to shorten our sail when dealing with a fellow Christian. But sometimes it is necessary. Study the Bible so that you will know when it is right to do so.

Until next time, get the wisdom of God. And if any of this is hard to understand, ask an adult to help you.

Mark McWhorter

Copyright 1999

Published by The Old Paths Bible School
(http://www.oldpaths.org)