There seems to be a group in this country saying, “we support the troops” while they attack the leadership of the U. S. They don’t just voice differing opinions, they attack the leadership. There is precious little criticism for tyranny, murder, terrorist training, or a tendency to use terrible weapons on one’s own people-only for our own leaders. It reminds me of believers who have no criticism for denominational division, false teaching, or the dangerous influence of error. Those who reject the New Testament pattern are consistently held up as to their honesty, sincerity, openness and spirituality; while elders, preachers, and brethren who disagree are just as consistently accused of being tradition bound, close minded hypocrites (1 Timothy 5:19).

Some talk about supporting the troops while they give aid and comfort to the enemy. They visit with them, sympathize with them, get their arguments and information from them and join the organizations funded by them. I have brethren who refuse every type of commentary or magazine written by New Testament Christians while they drive all over town for the latest published material by the newest popular teacher of error. While they miss worship and study with their church family, they visit, sympathize with, and learn from each new group that catches their attention… just to be open minded (2 John 9-ll). What’s with that?

There are those who speak of “supporting the troops” while they go to other nations and criticize our own. They disparage our leadership and discourage those around them with their words. In the Lord’s army there are also those who go out and backbite. Whether it is just the leadership or the church as a whole, they just don’t see the effect of their discouraging attacks (1 Corinthians 10:10-12, James 5:9).

In the theatre of national events there have always been those who wanted our nation to imitate other nations and resent any bold stand of confidence and independence, such as this war without U. N. sanction. Likewise, in the church are those who seem embarrassed by confidence in the scripture and rejection of men’s speculations and philosophies. They seem to resent the idea that some might be right and others wrong, although that is exactly what Jesus taught (Mt. 7:13-14, Titus 3:8).

Supporting the troops is more than a national necessity. It is also a spiritual imperative. Marching in order behind the captain of our salvation is always right and never wrong. Let us support our captain, our leadership, our church family, and one another individually in every right and Biblical activity.