I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; and from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them. Therefore be alert...

And now I commend you to God and to the Word of His grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified.
Acts 20:29-32

The Lord Jesus warned of wolves in sheep’s clothing: false prophets who would look like good and godly people but who were really ravenous wolves, sneaking in to destroy the sheep of His flock.

As Paul was saying his last good-byes to some very dear friends, he warned them about the same thing, but then he added an even more disturbing picture: ”I know that from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them.”

Paul knew that some of these same pastors and church leaders, his own friends, would turn into false teachers and twist God’s Word into something very different than what it says, in order to increase their own following.

Oh, how perverse is our own sinful nature! We slip so easily from building the Kingdom of God, to building our own little empire. Our own desire to be popular, to be well thought of, and to increase our own following will seduce us into abandoning the truth and telling people whatever they want to hear, in order to keep them happy with us. But then they’re following us, not the Lord Jesus!

When you are in a position to lead others, be alert for this subtle tendency. There’s a wonderful inheritance set apart for those who are set apart for Him, and God’s Word is able to strengthen us in our faith and ensure that we don’t miss it. Stick closely to it!

Lord Jesus, help me to believe, speak, live, and lead by Your Word. Deliver me from the seductive power of popularity. Help me to always remember whose Kingdom it is that I’m building: Yours, not mine. Amen.

Pastor Dan Giles