Discipline is important. It is an expression of love and benefits those who are willing to accept its training (Heb. 12:5-11). Just as parents must learn how to effectively apply corrective discipline, Christians must learn how to apply the corrective discipline the Lord has commanded us to apply in order to help save brethren who walk disorderly (2 Thess. 3:6).

• Remove your social contact. “Do not keep company with him, that he may be ashamed” (2 Thess. 3:14). Withdrawing yourselves from the Christian who is walking disorderly is intended to remove something that is important him, namely, the social interaction he would normally enjoy with you. To continue social relations in spite of the Christian’s sinful lifestyle will not persuade him (or her) to be ashamed and repent of his sin. Furthermore, it will give him the message that he can continue committing his sin with your approval (and even God’s)–after all, you continue to act like everything is okay, so it must be. But, something has changed; his unrepentant sin has separated him from God and God’s people. We can no longer convey to the disorderly Christian that everything is fine; his or she is lost in sin–that is not fine.

• Do not treat the disorderly Christian like an enemy. “Yet do not count him as an enemy…” (2 Thess. 3:15). Withdrawing ourselves from the disorderly Christian does not mean being rude to him. It does not mean if you happen to run into him that you turn away in disgust. We do not hate the sinning Christian anymore than the parent who disciplines his child hates the child. On the contrary, discipline is an action of love, and love does not behave rudely (Heb. 12:6; 1 Cor. 13:5).

• Warn the fallen Christian. “…but admonish him as a brother” (2 Thess. 3:15). An admonition is a cautionary warning that reminds one of danger. Kindly yet firmly rebuke the fallen one as a brother or sister for whose salvation you yearn. “Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted” (Gal. 6:1).

• Remember your goal. Saving a soul from eternal death is the goal of withdrawing ourselves from “every brother who walks disorderly” (2 Thess. 3:6). Sin has broken his fellowship with God and our fellowship with our beloved brother or sister. Our aim is saving the lost; remembering that singular purpose is essential in order to treat the fallen one properly. Always act in a way intended to warn and save the lost one from eternal death: “Brethren, if anyone among you wanders from the truth, and someone turns him back, let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save a soul from death and cover a multitude of sins” (Jas. 5:19-20).