Articles
Lessons From Harvey
I am sure I don't have to tell you the severe weather has been the leading news for the past few weeks, with hurricanes Harvey and Irma wreaking destruction, with more to come, as of this writing. Here in southeast Texas, hundreds of thousands — if not millions — of people have been affected by hurricane Harvey, with many suffering wind and flood damage to their personal property and many still unable to return to their homes because of unprecedented and catastrophic flooding.
In the coming weeks and months, people will be trying to put their lives back together and achieve some measure of normalcy as they clean up, throw out, plan, and rebuild. Others will simply move on in their lives and others will quite literally have to move because their homes are beyond immediate repair. Some may move forward with little effects, but others will be emotionally scarred and devastated, and some will forever be changed and try to live somewhere they will not ever have to face such destruction and devastation again. Some will decide to stay and rebuild again, resolving to be better prepared for the next time; some will abandon their homes and look to go where they will feel safer and be less likely to go through another similar situation.
As we strive to get back to life the way it was before the storm, let us learn some lessons from Harvey about the devastation that may come to a local church when a false teacher is in our midst. Let us learn, let us be prepared, and let us be willing to take action that he does not destroy what should be a place of spiritual safety and comfort for God's people.
Many Will Be Caught Unaware. Despite the numerous warnings, hurricane Harvey caught many people unprepared for what happened during and after the storm. Some of those in the path of the winds did not heed the evacuation orders and remained [others couldn't get out], and they were left without power, water, and food. Some were forced to endure chest-deep water in their homes, and others had their roofs and walls blown away, leaving them at the mercy of the elements — and they were not merciful.
In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus warned, “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves” (Matt. 7:15). The false prophets/teachers would come in amongst the faithful, disguising themselves as like-minded individuals but with one goal in mind: their destruction. [A wolf doesn't infiltrate a flock to socialize.]
Paul likewise warned the elders of Ephesus, “take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood. For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves” (Acts 20:28-30). Those wolves [of the same type Jesus warned about] would not spare the flock! They would destroy the flock, and would draw disciples away from following Jesus to following them instead, leading to their spiritual destruction.
The fact that Jesus and Paul both warned about ‘wolves’ coming in amongst the flock should cause us to sit up and take notice, lest we be caught unaware and wake up one day to find one amongst our number! Then what?
Destruction Will Be Inevitable. I am sure I wasn't alone in hoping and praying the hurricane would not hit us, but as hurricanes almost always do, destruction was the inevitable result. Of course, those who had been through one before knew that — as well as those who hadn't — but we were really wanting to be able to escape untouched.
For so many, that just didn't happen.
Unfortunately, some brethren treat false teachers as if they are completely harmless and not a danger to anyone, and do not do anything beforehand or even while he is amongst them to head off his impending destruction. Let us not pretend destruction is not the certain result of the false teacher's work for, as the psalmist said of the deceitful ones, “there is no faithfulness in their mouth; their inward part is destruction” (Psa. 5:6-9). Did you note that? At the very heart of the false teacher is destruction! We can ignore it and we might pretend that will not be the end result, but if we do, we should not be surprised when the walls start crumbling around us and the roof starts caving in from his destructive work.
The apostle Peter warned of the work of false teachers “who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Lord who bought them, and bring on themselves swift destruction. And many will follow their destructive ways, because of whom the way of truth will be blasphemed. By covetousness they will exploit you with deceptive words; for a long time their judgment has not been idle, and their destruction does not slumber” (2 Pet. 2:1-3). Let us not fool ourselves: False teachers will bring destruction and some will be led away to destruction. Let us defend against such ones by boarding up our windows and doors; let us “be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might” (Eph. 6:10) that the false teacher finds no success.
There Will Be Long-Lasting Effects. Hurricane Harvey has left destruction that will take weeks and months and years to overcome as citizens rebuild and strive to get back to the way things were before the storm. Some things can be replaced or repaired quickly, but other things will take much longer. Some people may be able to get back to normal quickly, but others will take longer to find any sense of normalcy. Some will never be who they once were.
When the false teacher destroys a congregation, the results will be much like that of the hurricane: Some will recover quickly because they were better prepared or simply not affected as much as others; some will take longer to recover; some may never recover. Remember, Paul warned those wolves would “draw away the disciples after themselves,” and Peter warned, “many will follow their destructive ways.” The sad fact is, some will lose their salvation and lose their souls because of false teachers. This is not a matter to take lightly!
We Can Rebuild. Right now, we in southeast Texas are in rebuilding and recovery mode. Inundated houses have to be cleaned out, walls and carpet must be torn out, and floors and walls must be treated and dried out before rebuilding can begin.
But those who have been affected are not sitting around twiddling their thumbs, and they don't sit with head in hands; they are getting to the work of rebuilding! They know they won't have a home until the hard work is done!
Likewise, after the false teacher had devastated a congregation, we must set to the work of rebuilding. We must lay the solid foundation of Jesus Christ (cf. 1 Cor. 3:11) and not seek some other upon which to build. Every disciple must “not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world” (1 John 4:1) so the next time a false teacher approaches, we will be better prepared to recognize him before he is in our midst, and better prepared to defend against his destructive ways.
As the old song asks, ‘Will your anchor hold in the storms of life?’ —— Steven Harper
