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Predators in the Church

God’s Word enables us to recognize and confront false teachers.

Golden Text:

2Co 10:5  Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;

Beginning this lesson, simply by reading the title, we find that not everyone in the church is either of God or sent by God. Paul brings no simple way of warning us that some people in the church are only here to divide the body of Christ. These may not have began this way nor even intended to become this way, but the truth is, either result brings the same outcome. There are at least two different types of predators in the church and can be biblically labeled as this; the tare in the wheat and the wolf in sheeps clothing. The difference in the two are this, the tare never intended to become a predator but was sent by an outside force. The wolf in sheeps clothing knew from the beginning what it’s intentions were, and though it may have began in the right motive, something happened on the course that changed its mind to be against the body of Christ.

The sad truth of the matter is, both parties are hell bound if they don’t allow Christ to change them. Not one person can enter into the kingdom of heaven with division in the heart.

A very important focus that must be mentioned is the fact that many people become distracted and derailed by the predator. No different than the outcome of the predator, the victim of these will also Face severe judgment and condemnation for allowing an oppressing force to change his or her heart. This is why it is extremely important to disassemble ourselves with anyone or thing that is against the body of Christ.

1Co 5:11  But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer (one who complains bitterly), or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat.

…….It is amazing that a complainer is categorized the same way as the most contaminating sins. This is simply because it is just as or more contaminating as the others. A complainer mostly shows no outward sign that there is a problem, and at times operates in ministry, but the heart is bitter.

Let’s take a deep look into an example that is completely unacceptable to God.

Pro 6:9  How long wilt thou sleep, O sluggard? when wilt thou arise out of thy sleep?

…….Being asleep spiritually is no different than being considered blind or dead. There is an extreme danger of being asleep spiritually.

Pro 6:10  Yet (even now) a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep:

Pro 6:11  So shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth, and thy want as an armed man.

…….A man who is spiritually asleep is compared to a man who is a thief which will arm himself to take from others, but can never satisfy his poverty.

Pro 6:12  A naughty person, a wicked man, walketh with a froward (perverse or fraud) mouth.

Pro 6:13  He winketh with his eyes, he speaketh with his feet, he teacheth with his fingers;

Pro 6:14  Frowardness is in his heart, he deviseth mischief continually; he soweth discord (a contest or quarrel: – brawling, contention).

Pro 6:15  Therefore shall his calamity come suddenly; suddenly shall he be broken without remedy.

Pro 6:16  These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him:

Pro 6:17  A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood,

Pro 6:18  An heart that deviseth (practice secretly) wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief,

Pro 6:19  A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.

1. Asserting God Given Authority

A. Meek and Bold

2Co 10:1  Now I Paul myself beseech you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ, who in presence am base (humble) among you, but being absent am bold toward you:

…….Here in the first verse, Paul settles some false accusations that he was bold and confrontational when away from Corinth, yet week when they were face-to-face. Meekness can be described as “strength under control”.

Meekness, temperance and patience all work hand in hand.

Even when it’s hard to allow meekness to rule over attitude, it always wins in the end.

While the flesh wants to settle right now, His Spirit living inside says, “wait and let me remain in control”.

2Co 10:2  But I beseech you, that I may not be bold when I am present with that confidence, wherewith I think to be bold against some, which think of us as if we walked according to the flesh.

…….It is natural for any person to think that a bold Christian is operating out of anger from a distance. Simply stated, the truth does hurt.

When we are wrong and someone comes along with correction, it’s natural for the flesh to want kick back, but not for long.

It is easier to give correction than it is to take it. If you can’t take it, you better not give it.

If you find yourself correcting others, it has to only be Spiritually influenced.

2Co 10:3  For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh:

…….All believers have spiritual battles in this world, but they must not fight those battles using worldly methods, but spiritual weapons.

Most of the time when the attack arises, it comes when we least expect it. Therefore patience in a battle can be the most effective tool in winning.

We have to always keep our eyes open to the enemy knowing that he only wants an arising reaction out of our flesh.

2Co 10:4  (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)

These are the weapons of our warfare:

Galatians 5:22  But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy (cheerful), peace (ability to rest), longsuffering (slow temper), gentleness (sensitivity), goodness (virtuous), faith (sure in belief),

23  Meekness (strength in control), temperance (self control): against such there is no law.

…….If you ever want to win an unspiritual, we must use spiritual weapons. The reality is, all things are spiritual for the Christian.

2Co 10:5  Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;

…….Having the right tools brings the ability to cast down the attack even before the imagination finishes the thought!

Our walk with God alone can divert attacks. No one wants to battle a man who evidently has God in His side, unless they just simply like to lose.

2Co 10:6  And having in a readiness to revenge (retaliate or punish) all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled.

…….From the aspect of a minister who has authority over others (The Apostle Paul that is), we must be ready to fix disobedience. He didn’t just leave it there though, our obedience must be completed and perfected before fixing others faults.

B. Building Up, Not Tearing Down

2Co 10:7  Do ye look on things after the outward appearance? If any man trust to himself that he is Christ’s, let him of himself think this again, that, as he is Christ’s, even so are we Christ’s.

…….He asks a question that most people have had and many still struggle with, “do you look at people and judge simply by the way they look?”

Jesus said this in Mark 9:40  For he that is not against us is on our part.

The truth is, not one person has arrived to perfection. Many of us do not look the same nor are we on the same spiritual level with one another. The first way to turn someone away from the church is to make them feel unaccepted by those who are in the church.

2. BOASTING IN THE LORD

A. God Does the Calling

2Co 10:12  For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend (praise) themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.

…….Do we compare our spiritual life’s with others who are either within our church, or others in different congregations? The only way to evaluate others is to first give praise to self for spiritual accomplishments. With that said, No Christian can take credit of anything performed spiritually.

2Co 10:13  But we will not boast of things without our measure, but according to the measure of the rule which God hath distributed to us, a measure to reach even unto you.

2Co 10:14  For we stretch not ourselves beyond our measure, as though we reached not unto you: for we are come as far as to you also in preaching the gospel of Christ:

…….Just as there were those who opposed Paul and hindered the gospel of Christ, he never lay down or gave up. Herein lies the sharpest contrast between Paul and these “intruders” who worked to undermine his ministry. Paul focused on preaching the gospel, and that was it!

Just as Paul, our focus cannot be diverted from the giver of salvation, nor from the testimony of our salvation!

We must at all times be familiar with our weapons, not just picking them up when the battle comes, but carrying them at all times.

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