Many, if not most believers feel, think, and act like church is a spiritually safe place when in fact it can be the most dangerous one. See what Jude 4 says about the ‘church’,
For some men, who were designated for this judgment long ago, have come in by stealth; they are ungodly, turning the grace of our God into promiscuity and denying Jesus Christ, our only Master and Lord
The devil disguises himself as an angel of light (2 Cor 11:14). This verse shows that ungodly people have snuck into church unnoticed! They came in to do damage. Scripture, history, and even current events show that false teachers, false teachings, and false believers are mingled in among the true believers. They are like spies of Satan coming in to blend in and destroy from within.
Be serious! Be alert! Your adversary the Devil is prowling around like a roaring lion, looking for anyone he can devour. (1 Pet 5:8)
False teachers
Beware of false prophets who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravaging wolves. (Mt 7:15)
But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, and will bring swift destruction on themselves. Many will follow their unrestrained ways, and the way of truth will be blasphemed because of them. They will exploit you in their greed with deceptive words. Their condemnation, pronounced long ago, is not idle, and their destruction does not sleep. (2 Pe 2:1-3)
The Pharisees were the religious leaders in Israel at the time of Christ. They outwardly dressed the part, had the title, prayed, and had the outward appearance of a godly person and godly leaders, but they were hypocrites, liars, and their father was the devil (Jn 8:44). Jesus says of them, “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which appear beautiful on the outside, but inside are full of dead men’s bones and every impurity. In the same way, on the outside you seem righteous to people, but inside you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness.” (Mt 23:27-28) Don’t be deceived to think that every church leader today is a true believer in the Lord Jesus Christ. If you make that assumption, you are opening yourself up to listen to and accept false teaching from somebody whose father is the devil.
False teachings
The Pharisees are great examples of false teachers.
Then Jesus told them, “Watch out and beware of the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees.” … Then they understood that He did not tell them to beware of the yeast in bread, but of the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees. (Mt 16:6-12)
Then Pharisees and scribes came from Jerusalem to Jesus and asked, “Why do Your disciples break the tradition of the elders? For they don’t wash their hands when they eat!” He answered them, “And why do you break God’s commandment because of your tradition? For God said: Honor your father and your mother; and, the one who speaks evil of father or mother must be put to death. But you say, ‘Whoever tells his father or mother, “Whatever benefit you might have received from me is a gift committed to the temple”— he does not have to honor his father.’ In this way, you have revoked God’s word because of your tradition. Hypocrites! Isaiah prophesied correctly about you when he said: These people honor Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me. They worship Me in vain, teaching as doctrines the commands of men.” (Mt 15:1-9)
The Pharisees taught things that revoked God’s Word and taught human things as if they were from the Lord. They minimized, corrupted, and changed God’s Word. The same thing is happening today too. There are very popular false teachers today that are corrupting believers and warping Scripture. One minimizes and virtually dismisses the Old Testament. Others teach that whatever you can imagine or speak about your life will become a reality! Wow, that is teaching that people have the power of God and can speak things into reality. Be careful of false teaching because it is all around you.
False believers
During Jesus’ time of ministry on earth, He had plenty of people follow Him that weren’t true believers. In John 6 He preached a hard sermon and told them they were following Him just to get a free meal. When confronted, they turned around and left because they weren’t true followers. The parables of Matthew 13 show us in various ways that non-believers are integrated among believers. Don’t be deceived into thinking everybody in your congregation is saved. They’re not … remember this scene at the final judgment?
“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord!’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of My Father in heaven. On that day many will say to Me, ‘Lord, Lord, didn’t we prophesy in Your name, drive out demons in Your name, and do many miracles in Your name?’ Then I will announce to them, ‘I never knew you! Depart from Me, you lawbreakers!’” (Mt 7:21-23)
Conclusion
Don’t think that a church building is always safe zone from the enemy. It is a spiritual war zone. The enemy is cleverly disguised and hiding among us looking for people to devour. Be careful.
Be serious! Be alert! Your adversary the Devil is prowling around like a roaring lion, looking for anyone he can devour. (1 Pet 5:8)
Don’t go on a witch hunt in church but don’t be naïve either. Don’t let your guard down. Test the spirits. Test the teachings you hear against the Bible. Remember, bad company corrupts good character.
Think about it
How do we practically stay “alert and sober” (1 Pet 5:8) inside our church without becoming cynical, suspicious, or untrusting of everybody?
Jesus told us to be “wise as serpents and innocent as doves” (Mt 10:16). How does that verse apply directly to the way we listen to sermons, podcasts, or Christian books today?
What is the difference between healthy spiritual testing and unhealthy critical fault-finding? How do we know when we’ve crossed the line?
What are some popular, subtle ideas in modern Christian culture that sound good on the surface but actually minimize or warp Scripture?
In the passage from Matthew 15, the Pharisees prioritized church tradition over God’s commands. What are some of our own modern “church traditions” or cultural preferences that we accidentally treat as if they are absolute biblical truths?
How can you guard yourself against the temptation to follow a teacher simply because they are charismatic, popular, or comforting to listen to?
