Trouble-Makers in the Church

[Dave Shepardson]

Often, our spiritual enemy capitalizes on people being disgruntled in the church. They may be upset about any number of things, but almost always, when someone begins causing conflict in the church, they are definitely disgruntled about something, although they seldom admit what they are truly upset about. Instead, they turn their anger on the church, and specifically on the pastor, usually making unfounded accusations. Our spiritual enemy can easily turn their disgruntled-ness into division and dissention in the body of Christ.

Please, be careful listening to people who are disgruntled and upset. You will never hear both sides of the story, and listening to people who are sowing division and dissention into the church is a matter of high spiritual battle. Please protect yourself from this. If you do listen, or if you are caught off guard and have this divisive talk forced on you, please be careful not to blindly accept anything a disgruntled person says without first talking to a pastor about it.

Prov 18:17 says “The one who states his case first seems right, until the other comes and examines him.”

Phil 1:27 clearly spells out conduct that is worthy of the gospel of Christ. We are to stand fast in one spirit, with one mind, striving side by side for the faith of the gospel. And if we understand the importance of Christ’s prayer in John 17, then we will understand the eternal significance of our unity. Jesus put so much importance on our unity that He said it would be a sign to the world for them to believe in Him.

Here are some additional scriptures that pertain to this subject;

1Cor 1:10 – I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment.

Rom 16:17-18 – I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them. 18 For such persons do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites, and by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive.

Titus 3:10-11 - 10 As for a person who stirs up division, after warning him once and then twice, have nothing more to do with him, 11 knowing that such a person is warped and sinful; he is self-condemned.

Prov 26:20-21 - 20 For lack of wood the fire goes out, and where there is no whisperer, quarreling ceases. 21 As charcoal to hot embers and wood to fire, so is a quarrelsome man for kindling strife.

Prov 6:16-19 - 16 There are six things that the Lord hates, seven that are an abomination to him: 17 haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, 18 a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that make haste to run to evil, 19 a false witness who breathes out lies, and one who sows discord among brothers.

2 Timothy 2:23–26 (NLT) — 23 Again I say, don’t get involved in foolish, ignorant arguments that only start fights. 24 A servant of the Lord must not quarrel but must be kind to everyone, be able to teach, and be patient with difficult people. 25 Gently instruct those who oppose the truth. Perhaps God will change those people’s hearts, and they will learn the truth. 26 Then they will come to their senses and escape from the devil’s trap. For they have been held captive by him to do whatever he wants.

1 Timothy 6:20–21 (NLT) — 20 . . . Avoid godless, foolish discussions with those who oppose you with their so-called knowledge. 21 Some people have wandered from the faith by following such foolishness . . .

Acts 20:29–30 (NLT) — 29 I know that false teachers, like vicious wolves, will come in among you after I leave, not sparing the flock. 30 Even some men from your own group will rise up and distort the truth in order to draw a following.

Please protect yourself in this area. If you are hearing from those who are disgruntled over something, please call your pastor and talk openly and honestly about what you have heard.

Division and dissention that starts with gossip and slander brings destruction into the body of Christ. That’s all it does – nothing else. May we be strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, for all patience and long-suffering with joy (Col 1:11).

From my heart,

Pastor Dave

 

[Elaine Betts]

Well said, Pastor Dave... This is a subject that is not often discussed but the church needs to pay heed  to..Thanks for bringing it to our attention......those who are disgruntled have wounded hearts and what they have perceived as a valid complaint has only been a "trigger" for an already festering heart...They will continue to sow discord unless that wound is identified by the Holy Spirit and healed...however, they must first be willing to examine their own hearts , which is not always an easy task....It is my opinion that going to the pastor with what one hears from such an individual is not a healthy thing either..for the pastor is a human being ( is that shock to some reading? :-)   )  with emotions  like the rest of us... and none of us enjoy hearing "bad things"  about ourselves from a secondary source....Sometimes it is very hard to escape the complainers and trouble makers..but I find that  their "negativity and trouble seeking ways" are diffused  if  something positive and true about the person they are upset with is imparted,  and   they are encouraged to discuss their concerns directly with the person involved....and  this can also be done when  one  overhears  "group conversations" that are negative about another person...Above all , these people need love and healing, and  much prayer and  those who are exposed to such situations need much wisdom and discernment from the Holy Spirit in how to specifically deal with each event.  ....Otherwise , they will just up and leave and go cause trouble in another local Body..and then another local Body...ad nauseum...and the enemy will have a field day...we , as members of a local Body of believers have an obligation to bathe our  pastors and leadership in prayer , to make sure that we are  not helping others to do their "sowing" of polluted seeds, and to take an inward look at our own hearts to ensure that what we do and say always honors our Magnificent and Awesome God.