There are both external and internal threats to the local church’s well-being. Some of these are obvious, but others are more hidden. Some threaten her ability to be effective and fruitful. Others, her continued viability. Scripture warns us about these dangers. In this lesson, we will look at some of them.
Wolves among Leaders
Internal threats are quite often the most lethal.
Betrayal from within is difficult to defend. Paul warned the elders of the church in Ephesus that “savage wolves” would try to hurt the church and pull people away. Sadly, he predicted that some of the leaders would act in this manner.
Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood. 29 For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. 30 Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves. 31 Therefore watch, and remember that for three years I did not cease to warn everyone night and day with tears. Acts 20:28–31 (NKJV)
It is noteworthy that Paul told them that it would happen after he was no longer on the scene. This likely would happen because of the absence of his keen discernment and apostolic authority. They would have to depend on the Spirit and learn to hear him for themselves. It takes practice to get good at this, and the devil wastes no time going after those who are new at overseeing the church.
But solid food is for the mature, who because of practice have their senses trained to discern good and evil. Hebrews 5:14 (NASB95)
Jesus warned us that it is often quite a challenge to distinguish wolves from the genuine sheep, at least at first.
Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. 16 You will know them by their fruits… Matthew 7:15–16a (NKJV)
Wolves are often gifted individuals, in this case, prophets, who seem to be a blessing, but their character betrays them eventually.
Even Satan can disguise himself as an angel of light. (2 Corinthians 11:14) We always eventually act according to what is inside us. Some people have a strong ability to discern what is hidden beneath the surface in a person and recognize wolves immediately, even before they can do harm. Churches need people like this, and local church leaders do well to listen to their warnings.
Wolves seldom attack the strong ones in the herd. Rather, they seek opportunities to corner and lead astray young, weak, or spiritually unhealthy people, or anyone with a rebellious attitude, not protected by being in a right relationship with church leaders. Those with oversight responsibilities need to beware of what goes on inside and outside the meetings.
Wolves operate under cover and not out in the open.
Those who are wolves in leadership roles will try to draw away a following. They will insinuate that the pastor is not someone to support. This is usually done on the sly and very deviously. Otherwise, it would be quickly spotted.
Absalom is a clear biblical example of this sort of behavior. He worked among the disgruntled to put a wedge between them and King David. He presented himself as a better alternative leader. Eventually he led a full-scale rebellion. Absalom was able to draw away some significant leaders into his coup attempt.
Wolves should be identified and removed by church leadership and every effort be made to keep people from being drawn away into sin and rebellion by them.
False Prophets and Teachers
False prophets and false teachers are wolves in sheep’s clothing. They use their spiritual gifts and influence to lead people away from devotion to God and to truth.
Both prophets and teachers are meant to present God’s Word to people. One does it via a gift of the Spirit called prophecy. The other through explaining the meaning of the Bible. Both prophets and teachers claim to speak for God, which requires faithfulness to God and truth. Those who go astray in this area open themselves to a stricter judgment from God. (James 3:1)
In the Old Testament, a chief characteristic or “fruit” of a false prophet was their attempt to lead people away from the truth and into the worship of false gods.
Instead of speaking for God, they spoke from their own misguided imaginations or from some demonic source.
If your brother, your mother’s son, or your son or daughter, or the wife you cherish, or your friend who is as your own soul, entice you secretly, saying, ‘Let us go and serve other gods’ (whom neither you nor your fathers have known, 7 of the gods of the peoples who are around you, near you or far from you, from one end of the earth to the other end), 8 you shall not yield to him or listen to him; and your eye shall not pity him, nor shall you spare or conceal him. 9 “But you shall surely kill him; your hand shall be first against him to put him to death, and afterwards the hand of all the people. Deuteronomy 13:6–9 (NASB95) And the Lord said to me, “The prophets prophesy lies in My name. I have not sent them, commanded them, nor spoken to them; they prophesy to you a false vision, divination, a worthless thing, and the deceit of their heart. Jeremiah 14:14 (NKJV)
It is not so much that prophets must be absolutely accurate in everything they say. Rather, the more important thing is the fruit that their prophecies produce.
In the New Testament, we are told that prophets prophesy “in part” (1 Corinthians 13:9) and their prophecies must be judged (1 Corinthians 14:29). This means that imperfection is expected and allowed, if it does not draw people away from the Lord, the truth of God’s Word, or the church.
It has been my observation that some put more stock in what prophets say than they do in the Bible. This is very dangerous and should be warned against. Nevertheless, we are told to highly esteem and desire the prophetic ministry, which is a powerful gift of the Spirit, either for good or for bad.
Even though Jesus warned us against false prophets (Matthew 24:11), the Bible also tells us to earnestly desire that spiritual gift. (1 Corinthians 14:39)
We should never try to quench prophecy to shield ourselves from its misuse. It is too valuable to the church.
False teachers are perhaps even more dangerous because they can cleverly weave the Word of God into error, thus capturing people’s minds in a lie that they think is biblical.
Peter warned us about their pernicious fruit.
But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will also be false teachers among you, who will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing swift destruction upon themselves. 2 Many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of the truth will be maligned; 3 and in their greed they will exploit you with false words; their judgment from long ago is not idle, and their destruction is not asleep. 4 For if God did not spare angels when they sinned, but cast them into hell and committed them to pits of darkness, reserved for judgment; 2 Peter 2:1–4 (NASB95)
The false teacher somewhat resembles Balaam, the false prophet, who operated from a basis of greed and immorality. Once again, we see that a false teacher, like a false prophet, is discerned by the fruit produced. All teachers are responsible to properly exegete God’s Word, to explain the meaning and application. Teachers do not get everything exactly right because God’s Word is very broad and deep. However, it is one thing to miss the meaning of a passage and quite another to lead people into sensuality and greed.
The Greek word translated “heresy” means to hold a divisive opinion that is contrary to Scripture. Truth can also be divisive, as proven by centuries of church history. A church can tolerate contrasting opinions about the meaning of difficult passages or concepts in the Bible, if unity is kept.
When teaching starts to divide the church, it is crucial for leaders to discern if truth is causing the division or error.
Paul wrote the heresies (divisions) must present themselves to make clear those who are following truth and those who are not.
But, of course, there must be divisions (literally: “heresies”) among you so that you who have God’s approval will be recognized! 1 Corinthians 11:19 (NLT)
Over the years, the church has been divided repeatedly in its pursuit of truth. Error about core doctrines should not be permitted, but diversity in less important areas is acceptable. Love is always needed.
Legalism
Legalism is the attempt to attain or maintain a right relationship with God based upon our performance.
It can be blatant or subtle. It is dangerous in that it nullifies the gospel message of grace and holds people in bondage to the Law, which can never save us.
So Christ has truly set us free. Now make sure that you stay free, and don’t get tied up again in slavery to the law. 2 Listen! I, Paul, tell you this: If you are counting on circumcision to make you right with God, then Christ will be of no benefit to you. 3 I’ll say it again. If you are trying to find favor with God by being circumcised, you must obey every regulation in the whole law of Moses. 4 For if you are trying to make yourselves right with God by keeping the law, you have been cut off from Christ! You have fallen away from God’s grace. 5 But we who live by the Spirit eagerly wait to receive by faith the righteousness God has promised to us. 6 For when we place our faith in Christ Jesus, there is no benefit in being circumcised or being uncircumcised. What is important is faith expressing itself in love. 7 You were running the race so well. Who has held you back from following the truth? 8 It certainly isn’t God, for he is the one who called you to freedom. 9 This false teaching is like a little yeast that spreads through the whole batch of dough! 10 I am trusting the Lord to keep you from believing false teachings. God will judge that person, whoever he is, who has been confusing you. Galatians 5:1–10 (NLT)
Legalism continually tries to invade our lives and local churches. It is like weeds in a garden: no matter how perfectly we think we have eliminated their presence, more always sprout. This is because our “flesh” is always trying to be good enough without God’s help.
Legalism is almost always “biblical,” in that it uses the Bible to support its claims. Those who do not understand properly the meaning of the Word can easily fall for a slick presentation of legalism, just as did the Galatians. In those days, the Judaizers were teaching the Gentile believers that they had to become Jews in observance to be proper followers of Christ. That error still exists and pops up repeatedly.
More subtle forms of legalism crop up when those who seem to be more earnest in the spiritual life insist that others “measure up” to whatever standard they think they have achieved. This can be related to time spent in Bible study, prayer, fasting, etc. All these things are good, but no measuring stick exists to be used as a template. We are complete in Christ, and our devotion should be motivated by the desire to know and serve him better, not to achieve or maintain a certain level of spirituality.
Critical Spirit
When we judge people in an unkind or unloving way, we side with the accuser of the brethren against mercy.
Those who possess a critical spirit forsake their own mercy and sow discord in the church.
Do not judge others, and you will not be judged. 2 For you will be treated as you treat others. The standard you use in judging is the standard by which you will be judged. Matthew 7:1–2 (NLT)
A critical spirit is always looking for faults against leaders, other believers, their circumstances, and even God. Korah criticized Moses’ leadership and character and led others into rebellion. His judgment was swift and severe.
But these people scoff at things they do not understand. Like unthinking animals, they do whatever their instincts tell them, and so they bring about their own destruction. 11 What sorrow awaits them! For they follow in the footsteps of Cain, who killed his brother. Like Balaam, they deceive people for money. And like Korah, they perish in their rebellion. Jude 10–11 (NLT)
The opposite of a critical spirit is worship and praise. Romans 8:28 is a good antidote for the poison of criticism.
Loss of First Love
This subtle danger is seldom apprehended if we become religious and stay busy with the outward trappings of Christianity without realizing that our hearts have drifted away from God.
Jesus warned that this is a very serious condition against which we should guard.
But I have this complaint against you. You don’t love me or each other as you did at first! 5 Look how far you have fallen! Turn back to me and do the works you did at first. If you don’t repent, I will come and remove your lampstand from its place among the churches. Revelation 2:4–5 (NLT)
Repentance and going back to spending time in worship, prayer, and meditation on the Word of God is a good first step to getting free from this great peril.
Toleration of Sin
If we tolerate or make excuses for sin, it can cause sin to proliferate in the local church and reduce the fear of God. This is easy to fall into in a culture such as ours, when we are continually bombarded with temptation. We need the Holy Spirit to help us walk in the tension between grace vs. a proper intolerance of sin.
Nevertheless I have a few things against you, because you allow that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, to teach and seduce My servants to commit sexual immorality and eat things sacrificed to idols. 21 And I gave her time to repent of her sexual immorality, and she did not repent. 22 Indeed I will cast her into a sickbed, and those who commit adultery with her into great tribulation, unless they repent of their deeds. 23 I will kill her children with death, and all the churches shall know that I am He who searches the minds and hearts. And I will give to each one of you according to your works. Revelation 2:20–23 (NKJV)
