Wolves in church

[IShootBack]

WOLVES in CHURCH

As I have been growing in my faith and taking on leadership roles, I realize more than ever the target painted on this countries churches by the enemy of our souls. Wolves have risen up from within congregations and have been gnawing at Pastors heels to bring ministries down.

By wolves I mean false persons who may provoke divisions and/or steal sheep. The Apostle Paul had to fight wolves constantly and we do too. We need to stand up to them and put them on notice that we are watching. Maybe this should be one of the key functions of the leadership and Deacons: To watch out for wolves that may enter or arise form within the flock and seek to split or divide a Pastor’s flock.

Acts 20:28-31 “Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears.”

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

And they can rise up from within: Acts 20:30. "Also of your own selves shall men arise speaking perverse things to draw away disciples after them" This last kind are the most dangerous because they are good Christians that have gone bad, and are already in the church with established relationships and church ties. These are people who have pride and ambition in their hearts and are dissatisfied for some reason and then the devil begins to use them to draw away a following after them, rather than after Christ.

The Apostle James said in 3:14-16 “But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth. This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.”

In today’s language we would call them Megalomaniacs: People who have an excessive enjoyment in having power over other people and a craving for more of it. It is worth mentioning that both classes of wolves mentioned by Paul are people who are self-deceived. They may not even realize that they are wolves.

Why does God allow wolves to come into the church? The bible tells us in 1Cor. 11:19 "For there must be also heresies among you, that they which are approved may be made manifest among you." They test our individual loyalties. We get to see how stable we and those around us are. People that you thought were key people, may turn out not to be so. Others that you thought were weak will turn out to be stronger than you thought.

This begs the question, how can we recognize wolves? They always have similar traits and habits with other wolves and are they are not far off from the canine wolf. I suppose this is why God used them in this analogy. God gives us a good picture of them in Jn. 10:1-2: “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep.”

Spiritual wolves always operate behind the backs of the leaders. They will often:
• Work in, lead, or establish ministries to the sick, shut in’s, or perform hospital visitations. These people are generally weaker and are easier prey than those who are healthy. It is especially predatory if they do this without the blessing of their Pastor.
• They will establish parachurch activities as their initial draw. {A parachurch activity is one that is established outside of the church without oversight by church leadership and without its’ Pastoral covering.}
• Jesus taught that they come disguised as God's sheep. The easiest way to detect them is when they start to steal sheep. Sheep don't steal sheep. Only wolves do. Mt7:15-17 “Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.”
• Be critical of the leaders. One difficulty with this is at times some of the things that they say may be true. No one is perfect. But this is not justification for undermining the ministry of a Pastor by criticisms, especially to weaker members in the church. 2 Cor 10:10 “For his letters, say they, are weighty and powerful; but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech contemptible.”
• Boast of their own spirituality. See how Paul sarcastically mocks the spiritual pride of the wolves. 2 Cor 10:12 “They are often comparing themselves with others and the comparisons always seem to turn out in their favor.”
• They seem to have a kind of internal radar by which they seem to detect the weaker or needy believer. It may be a satanic form of discernment. They will invariably go directly to the weak believer and try to get in their favor. Ro. 16:18 “For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.”
• They have savage appetites and don’t feed on healthy things, they feed on gossip and dissension. They hurt people and sometimes delight in the misfortune of others.
• Travel in packs – Wolves want to get the crowd on their side. They can’t be alone, they don’t approach the leadership with their issues, they stir it up among their group that is just like them.
• They hunt in packs and as a team. They will communicate with each other when prey is marked out. They then work together over time to wear down a persons defenses before they attack.
• Find places to use as “lay ups” - Wolves love to sit up on a mountain side overlooking everything. You’ll know your wolves because they stand in one place and people come to them, they don’t serve yet they present themselves as leaders, they love titles, and they think they are above everyone.
• They love to do things in secret.
• Say yes outwardly to spiritual authority, but say no in their hearts. Wolves attempt to fool the leaders around them by outwardly being agreeable to the vision, ministry, and responsibilities of the organization but inwardly they have no intention of fully obeying spiritual authority. It is merely for them to position themselves into a place of trust among the leadership so they can leverage more influence and fulfill their fleshly schemes.
• Have their own vision separate from that of the Pastor. Any person who perpetuates their own vision within the vision of a church without Pastor’s approval is in fact a divisive person and a wolf in sheep’s clothing.
• Wolves desire the perks of the church without paying the price for the benefits. I have noticed that those who really have a sincere heart will function in any capacity without a title or position, as long as they are properly stewarding their gifts. Since wolves don’t want to pay the price over the long term, they position themselves to receive accolades, prestige, and a platform as quickly as possible.
• Camouflage their motives and actions with spirituality. They attempt to put up a veneer of super spirituality to fool others. Their criticisms are not outwardly slanderous but involve subtleties and innuendos that involve second guessing. Basically, a wolf is trying to do anything that can successfully instill seeds of doubt in the minds of the people around them.
• Use and abuse people to accomplish their own agenda. Although wolves come off as if they love everyone around them, they are only using these people to gain influence and power. As soon as they have what they want from these naïve people they eat them, spit them out, and move on to the next person who can deliver them the platform they desire.
So what do we do to handle wolves?

Your Pastor needs men, leaders who are willing to do whatever it takes to defend the him, his family, his leadership team, his congregation, and his church. I’m talking about a man who will shut down wolf talk and actions the moment they see them. We can’t be worried about hurting feelings, making people mad or being liked by everyone. We need to protect the vision of the church and the staff called to lead the church. Your Pastor needs a couple of trained wolf dogs!

We need to be watchful for wolves and let them know they are being watched. We need not be afraid of them. They are afraid of exposure and being uncovered for who they really are. We need to find their lairs and hideaways and expose those places to God’s light.

So what's the best defense? We have to seek Holieness! We can’t avoid wolf attacks but we can get to higher ground, a Holy place where God will defend us. We can make our way to the Cross. We can get close to Jesus. Make sure our time of personal worship is at the forefront of everything we do. We need to in the word, get on our knees and rest in knowing God is God, and if the gates of hell can’t destroy His church how can a wolf?

[LilysDad]

Sadly, I have found that even a pastor can be the wolf.

[BlackEagle]

God also warns about those "wolves" in the letters to the seven churches in Revelation 2-3. And tells about the judgement to be visited on them if the churches don't clear out the false teachers.

Lilysdad, that is all too true too many times. Especially in some of the larger denominations that have been taught by liberal seminaries from liberal theologians.

[ampaterry]

I attended a Baptist church for some time -
Then the adult SS teacher, with the pastor present, went off about how a Christian should not campaign for any candidate, because he might be working contrary to God's will.
I went home steamed about that, but figured the pastor would straighten this guy out.
The next Sunday he went off on the same track, but expanded it to claiming a Christian should, for the same reason, NOT VOTE!!

I got up and walked out, with the pastor trailing me -
I told him I would find another church, and he should never have allowed that heretical teaching in his church.

[LilysDad]

Romans 13:1-2

Oh, and the Lutheran Church M/S is not liberal for sure?!

[bumblebee]

There are wolves hiding in every organization and group. At this very important time we must be vigilant in who we associate with and allow in our midst. We must expose those who are hiding and expel them from our groups.

[sub-moa]

Sadly, there are those who are not what they seem lurking in all facets of our daily lives. We can simply ignore many, but some must be made examples of and fought, in churches, schools, government or anywhere else.

[dbcooper]

there are poser christians (notice I didn't capitalize?) in most if not all churches

they can act like true Christians, they know what to say, how to do things, but they are not believers

judge them on their fruit.

Romans 16 tells us to mark them that cause divisions in the church and avoid them

Call them out and if they are true believers, they should repent and submit to the spiritual leadership of the pastor

[bozzhog98]

These are good words and unfortunately they are true in so many cases. I, myself am a pastor of a small church and have seen this happen. With your permission, I would like to use your post.
Thank you and May God bless

[BlackEagle]

bozzhog98,welcome to the forum. This little corner of the forum is part of what makes this place so special. You'll find a communnity of people here who genuinely care for each other and will help out whatever way they can. But watch out...the place can become addicting. Pull up a keyboard and chair and enjoy.

[IShootBack]

Originally Posted by bozzhog98

These are good words and unfortunately they are true in so many cases. I, myself am a pastor of a small church and have seen this happen. With your permission, I would like to use your post.
Thank you and May God bless

Permission granted.

I originally put this together about three years ago and distributed 8 copies to men in my church that are like-minded with me in my zeal to protect the flock given to our Pastor.

I'll add fighting off wolves takes a great deal of mercy, grace, patience, and discernment.

[BlackEagle]

If it were a forum instead of a church, these would be trolls. Trolls in forums and wolves in the church infiltrate, foster dissention. The warning is given again in 2 Peter 2.

That is an excellent post, IShootBack. Thanks.