11/13/18 SHUNNING, TURNING AWAY, AVOIDING
Anti-SHUNERS also shun.
There is Biblical (redemptive, loving) shunning and there is selfish (rebellious, destructive) shunning.
Biblical shunning is not vindictive, judgemental retaliation. Biblical shunning is one of the steps God prescribes for maintaining the integrity of a believer or a body of believers, and it is a reminder to a backslider that he or she must turn from sin and walk in unity with the faithful believers, and it is a way of protecting the children from the influence of those who choose not to submit to God and refuse to love His word and His people.
Biblical shunning is not the end, but the means to an end. The end result of shunning is intended to be reconciliation, restitution, restoration, redemption. However, resistance and rejection of God's merciful call will result in continued rebellion and eternal removal from the presence of God.
Biblical shunning does not include unloving, unkind treatment of the blasphemer. It does not mean uncivil, uncordial, uncompassionate or inconsiderate action or attitude toward the blasphemer. It means primarily to treat the person as a non believer, because that is what he or she is.
In this passage we see some of the actions and attitudes that lead to being, shunned, cut off, turned away.
2 Timothy 3:1-5
1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.
2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,
4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;
5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.
