Silent Killer in the Church

Romans 16:17-18 I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught•; avoid them. 18 For such persons do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites, and by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive

The Greatest Challenge

There is no shortage of things that can cause division in the church. Just this week, one of the greatest dividers the church has seen was exposed as a fraud. Anthony Fauci was called before the Senate and pleaded the 5th one hundred and eleven times. The one who shut down businesses, closed schools, and forced a damaging vaccination on the masses was too cowardly to answer for his actions. In my thirty years of ministry, I have never seen anything as divisive as his COVID policies.

Shamed and Silenced

Paul tells us to avoid those who cause divisions and create obstacles. This is a prime example. Many in the church took a stand against the policies and were silenced, shamed, or outright fired for their positions. Add to that those who took the vaccination out of fear and are now suffering debilitating health issues. This was all done in the name of Loving Your Neighbor. Their health was more important than your convictions. 

Time to Wake Up

This may sound harsh, but the church has to wake up. So many things are tearing at its fabric, and most Christians are more worried about offending people than doing the right thing. We need a healthy reminder of Isaiah 5, where it says they call evil good and good evil. These people aren’t serving the Lord but their own selfish interests. They encase it in meaningless language that is meant to guilt you into their point of view. If you stand against it, you are a misogynist bigot full of hate. 

Will Stand Before God

I laughed this week as people in the press ran to defend their Saint of Self-Interest. Newspeople wept at the attacks on Fauci. Networks didn’t report on his Senate hearing and definitely didn’t report on his egotistical and maniacal diary where he was desperate for fame and fortune. I guess a career disease doctor couldn’t handle not being recognized for his genius, so he created a whole epidemic to bring attention to himself. Many people are calling for his arrest, but he is protected by an unconditional pardon. That’s okay. One day he will stand before God, and no brain-dead president can help him. 

The Biblical Approach

What is the church supposed to do to guard against this? First, it needs a pastor with a heart on fire for God, a love for people, and a hatred for sin. Next, it needs leadership that fits 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1. Finally, it needs a core of people who care more for what God wants than what others might think. When these three things come together, and the church is walking with Jesus, there will be unity. It won’t be political; it will be Biblical. There will be a celebration over rightesousness and dealing with sin, and it will strengthen the church instead of dividing it. 

Future Threats

While COVID may be in the rear-view mirror, there are other issues that are threatening the church. Islam, Transgenderism, and secularism are pounding on the door. We need to be prepared, but more importantly, we need to be empowered by the Holy Spirit. When the fire of the Holy Ghost is sweeping through the church, there is nothing Satan can do to stop it.