How can we guard against "men will rise up" within our church community? Setting the Scene “Even from among your own number, men will rise up and distort the truth to draw away disciples after them.” (Acts 20:30) Paul spoke those words to elders he had personally trained. If it could happen in Ephesus, it can happen anywhere. Guarding against internal threats is therefore part of normal, healthy church life—not a sign of distrust but of faithfulness. Taking Paul’s Warning Seriously • Vigilance is obedience. Paul commands the elders to “Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock” (Acts 20:28). • The danger is doctrinal distortion, not merely personality conflicts. False teachers “distort the truth.” • The motive is influence: they “draw away disciples after them.” Guarding the flock protects people from being siphoned off into error. Grounded in Truth: The Word as Safeguard • Public, systematic teaching of Scripture keeps doctrine clear (Acts 20:27, “the whole counsel of God”). • Personal daily intake strengthens individual discernment (Psalm 119:11). • Corporate confession—reading, singing, and reciting sound doctrine—forms a shared theological backbone (Colossians 3:16). Shepherding Through Plural Leadership • A team of elders balances gifts, shares oversight, and reduces personality cults (1 Peter 5:1-3). • Mutual submission among leaders provides built-in accountability (Proverbs 27:17). • Regular elder meetings for prayer and doctrinal check-ups keep hearts aligned. Encouraging a Culture of Accountability • Church membership covenants clarify beliefs and behavior expectations (Philippians 1:27). • Loving confrontation, following Matthew 18:15-17, corrects error early. • Transparent financial and ministry reporting removes fertile ground for manipulation. Watching Our Own Hearts • Leaders must “pay close attention to yourself and to the teaching” (1 Timothy 4:16). • Pride is the seedbed of wolves; humility is their antidote (James 4:6). • Continuous repentance keeps motives pure (1 John 1:9). Training in Discernment • Teach the flock to “test the spirits” (1 John 4:1). • Equip members to recognize hallmarks of false teaching: – Scripture twisted or cherry-picked – Jesus shifted from center stage – Novel ideas marketed as “deeper” truth – Loyalty demanded to a person over Christ • Model Berean habits: “examining the Scriptures daily to see if these teachings were so” (Acts 17:11). Practicing Sound Doctrine with Love • Truth without love breeds arrogance; love without truth breeds deception (Ephesians 4:15). • Hospitality, service, and genuine care make it harder for divisive people to gain a foothold (Romans 12:10-13). • Celebrating Christ-centered testimonies shifts attention from personalities to the gospel. Summary Reminders • Keep Scripture central. • Cultivate plural, accountable leadership. • Train every believer in discernment. • Maintain a humble, loving community. By living these rhythms, we heed Paul’s warning and guard the flock, ensuring that when men try to rise up and distort the truth, they find no foothold among us. |
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