Shane Thacker

Fending Off Wolves

8/27/2022

by Shane Thacker

Ripped. Completely. Apart.

It’s amazing what a pack of wolves can do to their prey (and quickly). On many occasions they don’t even see or hear them coming until it’s too late. It’s no wonder that Paul would give this warning about ‘wolves’ in Acts 20:

28 Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood. 29 I know that after I leave, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock. 30 Even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples after them. - Acts 20:28-30

Even though Paul gave this warning to the Ephesian elders, there’s no question that it should be echoed today! There’s no question that Satan is doing everything he can to thwart the church. Whether it’s through our apathy, our pride, the in-fighting, the shepherds of the church certainly have their work cut out for them. That being said, we all need to be asking this:

How do I fend off the wolves in the church?

Here’s 3 things to know as you answer this question:

1. Know the sheep.

   Jesus said “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.” (John 10:27)

   Let me ask you something: Do you really know the flock? If not, how can you possibly know they’re in danger? How would you know what leads them astray? How would you know if they’re actively being dragged away? Who is hurting right now? What about when they’ve wandered into danger and you call them out of darkness. Do they really know your voice, do they really follow? Know the sheep.

2. Know the wolves.

   In Genesis 4, God warns Cain when he was angry at Abel: “sin is crouching at the door”. Think about your church family: What is crouching nearby? What are the spiritual battles you’re facing right now?

   Shepherds, remember: You have to identify the enemy if you are to engage the enemy.

   You can’t possibly expect to put on the blinders or stick your head in the sand and expect that to end well. You need to be alert for what is crouching at your door (for you personally and for the flock). Satan will be on the attack any way he can.

3. Know that you’re a shepherd; but you’re not the Shepherd.

Sure, as church leaders God has given you some level of authority and responsibility in the church, but as Pastor Matt Chandler puts it so eloquently and bluntly… "YOU'RE NOT DAVID!"

You’re not the rescuer that will slay the enemy. You’re just like all the others: in need of a savior.

We can’t possibly expect to fend off the wolves by our own power or authority, and thankfully, we don’t have to. If you think otherwise, remember that “sin is crouching at the door”, your pride is about to consume you. But praise be to God, he has rescued us from the enemy through the blood of Christ and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit! He has and will rescue us as we continue to cry out to him. I’ll leave you with Psalm 23:

The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. - Psalm 23:1-6

Want to defeat the enemy? Stay near the Shepherd.

* Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com The “NIV” and “New International Version” are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.™

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