Guarding the Church

For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ. (Jude 1:4)

The church, the sanctuary of faith, is the place God designated for believers to go to receive spiritual nourishment, guidance, and fellowship with one another. However, as members of a church, we are called to each be watchful of false teachers, wolves in sheep’s clothing who creep into the church, subtly introducing destructive ideas and worldly concepts into our house of faith.

The word unawares in the Greek is pareisuno and refers to someone who clandestinely enters a place, settles down and functions right alongside everyone else.

These teachers are like hidden reefs, ready to shipwreck the faith of believers who aren’t seasoned in the Word themselves. Sometimes their deception comes in the form of false prophecies, false doctrines, or distortions of the Word.

How do we protect the church from these people? What is our job as believers to stand against this? We must first have a firm understanding of what the Word says. As students of the Word, rightly dividing the Word of Truth, we will not be confused when charismatic people come in bringing false doctrine.

We should also be very watchful for others around us and what they are heeding and listening to. Help others to discern the truth from falsehood.

Last, we need to pray against those who would try to find opportunities to enter the church and lead people astray.

How can you pray for your church today? Maybe it’s for new believers to stand strong in their faith, maybe it’s for more servant leaders to step forward, or maybe it’s for the leadership to have wisdom and supernatural insight. Take time today to pray for your church.