In my previous blog I wrote about deceivers – specifically how Satan disguises himself in order to deceive individuals by causing them to question God’s Word. I would like to follow up on that topic by writing about a very real problem in many churches: tares among the wheat.

“Another parable He put forth to them, saying: “The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field; ²⁵ but while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat and went his way. ²⁶ But when the grain had sprouted and produced a crop, then the tares also appeared.”

Matthew 13:24-26

In my opinion, a very big and ever-present problem in many churches is that there are tares among the wheat. What I mean by this is simply that often there are individuals in churches who are tools of the devil, always bringing about dissention and divisiveness in the local church. Sadly, this problem is all too real, and all too destructive. Perhaps a Biblical example will clarify the subject to which I speak.

“I wrote to the church, but Diotrephes, who loves to have the preeminence among them, does not receive us. Therefore, if I come, I will call to mind his deeds which he does, prating against us with malicious words. And not content with that, he himself does not receive the brethren, and forbids those who wish to, putting them out of the church.”

3 John 9, 10

The Apostle John is exposing an individual in the church to which he writes this brief letter. Diotrephes is apparently a trouble-maker. There are a couple of things that John says about him that is rather alarming. First, this man “loves to have the preeminence.” He loves to be the center of attention. He seeks to control the church through means of manipulation, even to the point of striving to demean John. He is obviously taking measures to suppress John’s leadership as an apostle of Jesus Christ, as John points out that he had written a letter which Diotrephes had apparently either destroyed or kept hidden from the other members of the church. Second, John points out that he “refuses to receive the brethren… putting them out of the church.” This man decided who could come in, and those who would be left out, or even put out.

Clearly this man is one who wants to be in charge, to make all decisions, to decide who may and who may not be part of this local body of believers. The spirit of Diotrephes is alive and well in many churches today. They want to control everything. They want the final decision in all concerns. They refuse to follow the pastoral leadership of those called to serve in that position. They demand the final say.

Far too many of us have already thought of a Diotrephes we have met. Perhaps we have been in a local church with one. Perhaps we have witnessed the hurt, divisiveness and dissention a Diotrephes can cause. Perhaps we have suffered spiritual wounds from the assault of such a person.

Sometimes, I believe, these are unsaved individuals who have become part of a local body and are simply tools in the hands of Satan. They are lost, and they are acting out their lostness.

However, sadly, sometimes these individuals are truly saved, but they are living unspiritual lives. They operate in the human spirit rather than relying on the Holy Spirit. Their motives are self-centered rather than Christ-centered. Their desire is to be on the throne of the church, rather than allowing Christ to be on the throne.

Diotrephes was certainly that type of person. He sought the preeminence. There is only One who is preeminent in the church: Jesus Christ. By Diotrephes seeking the preeminence it is obvious that he wanted to overrule everyone, including Jesus Himself.

From my personal observations through the years of my Christian life, I have witnessed this first hand, and have heard countless stories of this happening in other places. The spirit of Diotrephes is alive and well. There are many tares among the wheat. They may appear to be the real thing, but after a while their true colors come shining through. It is pretty easy to spot them: they are the ones who are always striving to be the decision maker. They want the last word in everything.

Their actions and attitudes are clearly centered on themselves. They truly want to be the ruler of the church, and they will do anything to get their way, even if it means leaving a path of destruction in their wake.

It is a sad day in the local church when an individual, or a group of individuals, decide that they know what is best for the church. They have secret meetings behind closed doors. They scheme and devise plans to have their way. They may get on the telephone and call others who are sympathetic to their cause. And the, they drop the hammer. And most of the time they clothe their words and plans in what appears to be super spiritual phraseology. Perhaps they have prayed, perhaps not, but even if they have prayed, it was with the decision already made. The prayers were simply a means of telling others that they had truly sought God’s guidance, but in reality they were only seeking God’s permission to do what they have already decided to do.

Our actions should be centered on one thing only – glorifying the Lord Jesus Christ. He is the preeminent One, and He should always be the center of attention. All decisions should be taken to Him in seasons of prayer, and only made when He has directed our path.

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.”

Proverbs 3:5-6

Let’s keep our eyes on Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith. And let’s make a commitment to do all that we do for His glory, and His alone.