Grievous Wolves

I would like to be able to write that all men have a love for the Lord, His Word, and His church. However, that would not be true. There are many enemies of the cross. Some are blatant and obvious in their ways, while others are more subtle and deceptive. Regardless, these individuals are very real. There are numerous references about such in the New Testament. Let us notice what God’s Word has to say about these people.

First, Peter wrote about who he called “false teachers”. “But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not” (2 Pet. 2:1-3). I can only imagine how Peter would feel if he were able to see and hear how many false teachers there are today. Error and heresies are proclaimed in abundance. Not only that, but many of the false teachers have financially profited as a result of the ignorance that exists among so many of their followers. Indeed, many are made “merchandise” because of the actions of false teachers. Not only that, but due to the erroneous doctrines that are propagated, the truth is ridiculed, ignored, and rejected. When a faithful proclaimer teaches about how to be saved, many think that the preacher is wrong to emphasize baptism for the remission of sins. Likewise, when the truth is taught about the one body, the church, there are some who become agitated and defensive. Instead of studying the Word of God appropriately, there are those who blindly follow the blind (Matt. 15:4).

Next we will study the ones that Paul called “grievous wolves”. On one occasion, Paul called for the elders of the church in Ephesus (Acts 20:17). Once they arrived, he then defended how he had faithfully taught them “…all the counsel of God” (Acts 20:27). By teaching the truth, regardless of the situation, Paul could correctly write that he was “…pure from the blood of all men” (Acts 20:26). After his defense, Paul then gave those elders a serious warning. They were told, “Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them” (Acts 20:28-30). Paul’s description gives the reader a very good mental image of those who speak “perverse things”. He called them, “grievous wolves”. To be grievous means that these people were the cause of grief/problems among Christians. An untold number of disciples were being led astray by these “wolves”. Just like a wolf in the wild, these individuals were not concerned about the well being of others. They knew what they wanted, and apparently had no problem with doing whatever it took to “devour” their prey. Instead of teaching and preaching the truth, they fabricated doctrines. It did not matter how many brethren were harmed in the process.

Just like with Peter, I wonder how Paul would feel if he were able to witness the onslaught of “grievous wolves” that exist today. Friend, we need to accept that not every person who claims to teach God’s Word is doing so accurately. We need to study God’s Word diligently so that we are not deceived. If what a man teaches is not in accordance with Scripture, then I need to reject such. We are to “Prove all things; hold fast that which is good” (1 Thess. 5:21). John commanded, “Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world” (1 John 4:1). I hope that we will heed the warnings. It is my earnest desire that none of us are consumed by the “grievous wolves” that walk amongst us.