Wolves In The Church

One of the key functions of the New TestaMent elder is to Watch out for wolves that may destroy the flock. By wolves we mean those who may come in to provoke divisions or steal sheep. Paul had to fight wolves constantly and we do too. Today we have false Christians and false cults.

Wolves In The Church

Wolves In The Church

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Wolves In The Church

Wolves In The Church

Two kinds of wolves

Exterior

For I know this that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Acts 20:29

Paul spoke about wolves as being a certainty. Observation that they normally wait until the leadership is absent to enter in because they know that the pastor, or missionary, or elders are likely to have discernMent to spot them. The phrase "enter in" shows that they are from exterior the fellowship. These are normally from false cults and can be dealt with by warning the habitancy in strengthen about their teachings. These wolves are normally recognizable by name and are therefore not as dangerous as the other kind.Simple instruction to the believers about what groups or teachings to Watch out for is normally sufficient.

Interior

Also of your own selves shall Men arise speaking perverse things to draw away disciples after them Acts 20:30

These are the most dangerous kind, because they are good Christians gone bad, and are already inside the church. This kind is therefore the most difficult to detect and deal with.

These are often believers who have pride and ambition in their hearts or are dissatisfied for some reason. The devil begins to use them to draw away a following after them, rather than after Christ.

Both classes of wolves are normally habitancy who are self-deceived and therefore do not comprehend that they are wolves.

Why does God allow wolves to come into the church?

For there must be also heresies among you, that they which are popular ,favorite may be made manifest among you 1Cor. 11:19

At no time will you learn more about the habitancy under your charge than when wolves come in. Their loyalty and stability will be put to the test. habitancy that you opinion were key, may turn out not to be so. Others that you opinion were weak will turn out to be stronger than you thought.

How to recognize wolves

1. They always operate behind the backs of the leaders.

They will often visit the habitancy in their homes without the permission of the church leaders. They will try to gather authority or position in the church without going through the leaders. Jesus taught that they come disguised as God's sheep.

A key way to detect them is when they start to steal sheep.

Sheep don't steal sheep. Only wolves do.

2. They are considerable of the leaders.

Everyone has weaknesses in his ministry, but this does not give others the right to unduly criticize. The strangeness lies in the fact that some of the things that a wolf may say may be true. Still, this is not justification for undermining the ministry of a person, especially to weaker members in the church.

3. They boast of their own spirituality.

They are often comparing themselves with others and the comparisons always seem to turn out in their favor. They oftentimes claim to have more light on some things than the leadership and may imply that they have more to teach.

4. They tend to provoke divisions.

For such Men are slaves, not of our Lord Christ but of their own appetites; and by their flat and flattering speech they deceive the hearts of the unsuspecting. Rom.16:18

5. They invariably seek out the weaker believers.

Wolves seem to have internal radar by which they detect the vulnerable. It may be a satanic form of discernment. They will invariably go directly to the weak believer to court their favor.

How to deal with wolves

Rebuke and reject

With nearly any other kind of problematic person you normally demonstrate patience, compassion, and mercy. But not so with wolves. You must show no patience, compassion, or mercy.

Paul's instructions are clear: a wolf does not deserve more than two rebukes before throwing them out. Be very firm with them.

Example: A cultist comes into your church. He sits quietly and makes no disturbance but after the meeting sidles over to some weak believers. You survey he is getting adDresses. The pastor or leaders must take him aside and warn him. If he returns and does the same he should be clearly warned that one more offense and will necessitate their closing the door to him. If he ignores this, he should be told to leave and not come back. A warning from the pulpit to the habitancy may be necessary.

Running interference

The whole church, especially the mature believers should be trained in how to run interference when a wolf enters.

This means naturally intercepting the wolf before he or she has an occasion to get to the weaker ones after the meeting. They might engage him in conversation so that he will not have occasion to do damage. All mature believers in the church should understand that they can be called upon to do interception if necessary.

Paul was all too customary with the battle. His farewell adDress to the believers at Ephesus stirs us to be discerning:

So be on your guard! Remember that for three years I never stopped warning each of you night and day with tears. Acts 20:31

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Roger Smalling, D.Min

Wolves In The Church

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