FALSE SHEPHERDS -- Devotional for October 7, from "Good Seeds"

Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. I know that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; even from among your own fellowship men will arise to speak perverse things, drawing away disciples after them. Therefore be on the alert. (Acts 20:28-31)

“It is better to be alone than in the wrong company.” The wisdom of this axiom has many applications. For example: “Better no friends than bad friends;” or, “Better no counsel than bad counsel.” But what about “Better no leader than a bad leader”? No need to sort this one out, for in human society there will always be leaders, though it is surely true that bad ones most quickly filter to the top. We know it is God’s plan for there to be leaders among men, whether parents over children, teachers over students, supervisors over employees, or presidents over nations. But when sin entered human society, a door was opened into the sheepfold and evil wolves entered, disguised as benevolent shepherds. Far greater damage – just as far greater good – can be done by leaders, whether of the political, or the pastoral, variety, than by everyday people. False teaching from a charming personality can quickly find open minds in which to deposit its poison. And we’re not necessarily talking about Satan’s henchmen – sometimes they are God’s men, men who may have started out well, but over time neglected to be “on guard for themselves.” Paul reiterated this warning to his young protégé in I Timothy 4:16: “Pay close attention to yourself and to your teaching.” Because of the earnestness of their calling, sincere and honest pastors can pay very close attention to their work for the Lord, and yet fall far short in their work for their families, or in their personal walk with the Lord. These men will always have disciples following after them, but where are they taking them? And then of course there are those who are in the ministry not for what they can give to anyone, but for what they can get for themselves. Whether it is money, goods, fame, or just a long line of blind and gullible followers, the pastorate is easy pickings for men with the charlatan gift! It is just as true in the church as in the world that “Power corrupts; absolute power corrupts absolutely!” And it is amazing just how much power a local pastor has. The title alone begs for trust. But we must learn how to spot the dishonest ones. Our passage gives the key: they are looking to gather disciples unto themselves. The role of every pastor is that of John the Baptist: to draw people to the Savior. Beware of the one who says “I” and “me” rather than “we” and “us.” Follow, rather, the one who says, “He must increase, but I must decrease” (John 3:30).