How can we know when to withdraw from the disorderly? My concern is not over the church’s withdrawing, but over the timing.
Some very clear principles are available in the New Testament to guide us regarding the practice of local-church discipline. Perhaps a brief look at some will prove helpful in answering this question.
A local church maintains discipline (scriptural and spiritual direction) through its teaching and the leadership of its overseers. All discipline, whether in the family or in the congregation, is preventive or corrective (sometimes punitive, though retaining its corrective intent [Heb. 12:5-11]). From this passage, we learn the following principles:
The purpose of preventive discipline is to help people avoid sin or evil in their lives, because of the enormous destruction which it brings (Gal. 6:7-8).
Biblical principles relating to discipline apply, not only to our physical families but also to the family of God.
Its purpose is first to prevent sin, and then to correct it in the lives of disciples.
While discipline is not pleasant, it is necessary for the desired aim to be realized.
The presence of such discipline is proof that the one in charge (God in His family, parents in their family, and overseers in the local church) lovingly wants to help those being disciplined.
The success of such efforts depends upon the subjection of those involved to their superiors.
This discipline is a kind of training for higher and greater spiritual service.
It should be easily understood that preventive discipline, when faithfully applied through regular and consistent teaching, often makes corrective or punitive discipline unnecessary. When it has to occur, our querist wants to know the “when” or the timing of such action. It is commendable that people have such concerns. While recognizing that such action needs to take place, they wonder if it is possible to be too hasty in taking such action.
The following points, gleaned from the Scriptures, should help us in arriving at some conclusion concerning this matter:
While God sometimes administered His disciplinary action quickly (Nadab and Abihu, Ananias and Sapphira), more often He delayed His action in favor of teaching and changing attitudes (Book of Hosea, God’s consistent dealing with His OT people over many decades).
In the corrupt congregation in Thyatira, Christ gave Jezebel time to repent of her fornication, though she did not take advantage of the opportunity (Rev. 3:21).
The inspired apostles and the Lord Jesus gave various congregations (Corinth, Ephesus, etc.) time to repent before “cracking the whip” by removing their candlestick or otherwise dealing with their sins.
God’s longsuffering waited in the days of Noah when dealing with the sins of the entire world (1 Pet. 3:21).
The second coming of Jesus Christ has not already occurred because the Lord does not wish any to perish, but “delays” (from a human perspective) so that all can repent (2 Pet. 3:9, 15).
Do these principles tell us precisely when to exercise church discipline, to withdraw from those walking disorderly? No, but they help us proceed cautiously, in the interest of souls. They also should instruct us not to delay too long, lest we be thought to lend approval to their sinful lives. Without knowing the details of a situation, it is nearly impossible to be more exact as to timing; but those knowledgeable about specific situations are better equipped to make such decisions.
In those instances where New Testament instruction directed to congregations or individuals to take such action, it becomes clear that the conduct of those who were subject to divine discipline was settled in favor of sin. Disciples had become spiritually imperiled by sinful actions, and sinful attitudes had developed from the sinful practice (Matt. 18:15-17; Rom. 16:17; 1 Cor. 5:1-9; 2 Thes. 3:6-15; 1 Tim. 1:20; Titus 3:9-11). Further delay would only encourage sin and its spread to others. Overseers (elders) of congregations and souls must use the wisdom inherent in their spiritual qualifications and maturity to make such decisions. People willing to do further study or to show repentance or spiritual progress probably should not be objects of immediate withdrawal, but those settled into their sinful attitudes and conduct must be shocked with the awareness that their lives are not acceptable to God or to His people.
