The Chief Identity of a Dangerous Person

2 Thessalonians 3:6
In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, we command you, brothers and sisters, to keep away from every believer who is idle and disruptive and does not live according to the teaching you received from us.

The last chapter of the second and last letter to the church in Thessalonica is quite telling on who a dangerous person is. After writing formal remarks 2 Thessalonians 3:1-5, the Apostle emphasizes as his last important message that the church and its leadership should be wary of an idle person. Idleness is the chief identity of a dangerous person.

2 Thessalonians 3:6 he gives the command in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ that the church and its leadership should avoid idle people. Idle people disrupt the peace and progress of the church. Idle people do not live according to the teachings taught at worship. Therefore, Idle people act as enemies of the truth and leadership. Their key Problem is that they are idle. This is the chief identity of a dangerous person!

2 Thessalonians 3:7-8 tells us that an idle person is a burden to others. The idle person is a burden because they demand free food. Idle people do not follow the example of the leaders by working for everything they need. Idle people deplete resources they did not contribute to. Such a person may attract others to the easy life of eating what you didn’t work. This is a dangerous trend from idle people!

2 Thessalonians 3:9 tells us that even if you have a right to free stuff, it’s important sometimes to still work for what you eventually consume. Even with access to guaranteed free stuff, learn to skip the free and work for what you consume. This is the attitude that the Apostle Paul and his colleagues had. If they had relied on the free, they would be idling around. Idlers are dangerous to change growth and to the community. Idleness is the chief identity of a dangerous person!

2 Thessalonians 3:9 tells us that the Apostle Paul and his team were deliberately setting an example. Idleness is an example people can follow. To therefore avoid spreading idleness by setting such an example, the Apostle and team decided to work hard in the presence of the church and they reduced acceptance of free things so that they set the right example. What example are you setting in that church? Idle people set very bad examples. This is the chief identity of a dangerous person.

2 Thessalonians 3:10 tells us that there was even a rule that whoever is unwilling to work should be denied food. This is how serious the Apostle and other leaders considered idleness. They even ordered an extreme action against idle people to be taken by believers. 2 Thessalonians 3:14-15 tells us that idle people are punished as part of the redemptive discipline. They are punished in order to help them and deter others. Idleness is the chief identity of an idle person!

2 Thessalonians 3:11-13 tells us that idle people are disruptive. Idle people are busybodies instead of being busy. Busybodies go from place to place disturbing others but they themselves contribute nothing. Busybodies are now commanded to settle down and only eat what they earn. Unless you eat what you earn, you are idle and dangerous. This is the chief identity of a dangerous person!

Are you idle or busy? Is there something that occupies your day or do you just hang around? Is there something you are working on? Idle people have big unrealistic dreams of a big breakthrough deal coming but it never does. Are you busy or idle? Are your friends busy or idle? What have you done today? What are you working on for the future? If you are idle, you are dangerous. This is the chief identity of a dangerous person!

It is better to volunteer than to be idle. It is better to do something unrelated to your training than be idle. It is better to try a failing project than be idle. It is better to assist others in doing what they are doing than being idle. It is better to study self-development books than be idle. Idleness is the chief characteristic of a dangerous person!

Consuming entertainment is being idle. Listening to music is being idle. Watching movies is being idle. Playing games is being idle. Unless it’s leisure time, you shouldn’t be doing these things. Leisure time should be no more than twenty percent of your day. If leisure time is more than twenty percent of your twenty-four hours, you are an idler. Are you idle or busy? Idle people get into drug abuse and similar behavior. Idle people easily get lured into crime and wrongdoing. Idle people get dragged into cults and sects. An idle person is a dangerous person!

Dear God, save us from being idle and give us the wisdom to have something to do all the time, in Jesus’ name, Amen!

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