The Most Dangerous Person In Church

Introduction

Pastors are called to protect or guard the flock (Titus 1:5, 9; 2:15; John 21:15-19).

Titus 1:5 NKJV

For this reason I left you in Crete, that you should set in order the things that are lacking, and appoint elders in every city as I commanded you—

Titus 1:9 NKJV

holding fast the faithful word as he has been taught, that he may be able, by sound doctrine, both to exhort and convict those who contradict.

Titus 2:15 NKJV

Speak these things, exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no one despise you.

John 21:15–19 NKJV

So when they had eaten breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me more than these?” He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.” He said to him, “Feed My lambs.” He said to him again a second time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?” He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.” He said to him, “Tend My sheep.” He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?” Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, “Do you love Me?” And he said to Him, “Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You.” Jesus said to him, “Feed My sheep. Most assuredly, I say to you, when you were younger, you girded yourself and walked where you wished; but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will gird you and carry you where you do not wish.” This He spoke, signifying by what death he would glorify God. And when He had spoken this, He said to him, “Follow Me.”

Pastors are called to protect the flock.

Therefore, it logically follows that it is important for pastors to know who is in attendance and membership within the congregation. There are obviously many practical reasons for this, but one is certainly to protect the flock from potential harm.

So I ask you, “Who is the most dangerous person in church?”

Here I am not so much aiming at an individual as I am looking at a type of person.

Sure, we all can spot the unbelievers who don’t fluently speak our Christianese

But I submit that these types of people are not the most dangerous people that attend your church. At least, they are not in my experience.

Instead, the most dangerous person at your church is the self proclaimed smart person who is un-teachable.

When I say ‘un-teachable,’ I mean that they have it all figured out.

They are the classic, “Don’t confuse me with the facts, I know what I believe” person.

This is the person who seems to have a lot of biblical knowledge.

They can drop the 100 dollar words and effectively argue their point.

Very often, they are quite involved and appear to have things together.

However, they are dangerous because of a reason you would not think; they are un-teachable.

Let me give you some reasons why and how they are dangerous:

1. They Are Gospel-Eclipsing

The great commission has learning embedded in it (Matthew 28:18-20).

Matthew 28:18–20 NKJV

And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.

This means that being a disciple is being one who is always learning.

Therefore, to have it all figured out is to deny who you are. As Christians, we have to be people who are learning; this includes everyone from pastors to children.

2. They Are Critical

If this person is not being moved by the ministry of the Word, they are likely gathering bullets to shoot at leaders.

They sit quietly during the sermons and teachings only to pick apart everything like a Monday morning quarterback.

Their un-teachability looks the exact opposite of what James 1 teaches:

James 1:19–21 NKJV

So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God. Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.

(Please note this is not for constructive criticism. This is desperately needed. There is a difference between constructive and destructive criticism, however.)

Their a stark difference between constructive criticism and destructive criticism aimed at creating discord in the Body of Christ.

3. They Are Divisive

This is dangerous for the church in that it invariably brings division (Titus 3:10).

Titus 3:10–11 NKJV

Reject a divisive man after the first and second admonition, knowing that such a person is warped and sinning, being self-condemned.

This type of boiling pot eventually spills over and when they do, they hurt unity and people.

In my experience, division in the church usually is a result of somebody being un-teachable. This type of thing has a long legacy.

Consider how Diotrephes liked to put himself first and stir up division. How did he do this?

1. He did not submit to the teaching of the Apostles (3 John vv. 9-10).

3 John 9–10 NKJV

I wrote to the church, but Diotrephes, who loves to have the preeminence among them, does not receive us. Therefore, if I come, I will call to mind his deeds which he does, prating against us with malicious words. And not content with that, he himself does not receive the brethren, and forbids those who wish to, putting them out of the church.

2. He was un-teachable.

This is obviously dangerous for his own soul but also the church. Just like Diotrephes had influence in that congregation, so too the un-teachable person no doubt has influence in the local assembly. The influence of an un-teachable person is a vehicle for division.

3. He Is Joy-Robbing

A church that is teachable brings its pastor joy.

A church or church member who is not robs them of joy. It’s that simple

Hebrews 13:7 NKJV

Remember those who rule over you, who have spoken the word of God to you, whose faith follow, considering the outcome of their conduct.

Hebrews 13:10 NKJV

We have an altar from which those who serve the tabernacle have no right to eat.

4. They Are a Time-Waster

Let me be careful how I say this.

I don’t mean that labor in the ministry is a waste of time.

But what I do mean is that un-teachable person is one who continues to take up pastoral leadership’s time with arguments.

They just keeps resetting the same issue over and over again.

They can find anything to nitpick and be critical about.

So in this sense, they are a waste of time.

Or, as Paul might say, the labor is in vain

Philippians 2:16 NKJV

holding fast the word of life, so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain or labored in vain.

2 Thessalonians 3:5 NKJV

Now may the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God and into the patience of Christ.

So what do you do with them?

Pray for them

Forbid it that pastors become callous and unmoved themselves!

The desire is for growth in the gospel.

Therefore, pray (Colossians 1:9-14; 2 Peter 3:18).

Colossians 1:9–14 NKJV

For this reason we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, for all patience and longsuffering with joy; giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light. He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins.

2 Peter 3:18 NKJV

but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen.

Minimize their influence

Pastors should always be careful about who is appointed unto leadership. In this case, it would obviously make sense not to just put the Bible trivia champ in charge of teaching and leadership items. This is because the Bible trivia champ could also be a spiritual MMA champ on the side.

Watch them and the sheep

If this person is a Christian, then they must be cared for too. The pastor must do this while guarding and caring for the flock. This is the type of thing that keeps pastors up at night

Lovingly aim to teach them

Keep on keeping on

Titus 2:15 NKJV

Speak these things, exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no one despise you.

Confront where necessary

When there is sin involved, Jesus is clear

Matthew 18:15–18 NKJV

“Moreover if your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he hears you, you have gained your brother. But if he will not hear, take with you one or two more, that ‘by the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.’ And if he refuses to hear them, tell it to the church. But if he refuses even to hear the church, let him be to you like a heathen and a tax collector. “Assuredly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.