Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.
(Matt. 7:15)

For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.
(Acts 20:29)

It bothers me that so many of God’s people have no discernment at all. I would think that a sheep would recognize and sniff out a wolf way before the shepherd would notice him; yet it doesn’t seem to be that way in our churches today.

Many so-called pastors are only interested in drawing disciples after themselves. They don’t seem to really care about the condition of people’s lives or their final outcome. These leaders are mostly politicians who will say or do about anything to attract a crowd. They won’t tell the truth, won’t confront sin, won’t ruffle any feathers, and will consistently preach and teach milk-toast sermons. They live in fear of people. Saul lived this way and died as one who had never been anointed with oil.

Jesus taught us in John 10 that a real shepherd does not run from wolves, danger, or trouble. He stays and protects the sheep.

Harboring Fugitives

For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears….
(2 Tim. 4:3)

But refuse profane and old wives’ fables, and exercise thyself rather unto godliness.
(1 Tim. 4:7)

Many so-called ministers today are not God’s men. They are religious men, men of the cloth, men of the “church,” men of the board, hirelings, and professionals. They have little fear of God and therefore don’t meditate much on Judgment Day. They have little comprehension of the accountability they have to God for the people they pastor. To many of these teachers, it’s simply a vocation they chose-it’s their job.

Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you. Pray for us: for we trust we have a good conscience, in all things willing to live honestly.
(Heb. 13:17-18)

Many church leaders boast and pride themselves on the number of people who follow their teaching and come to their gatherings. The truth is, most churches that seem to be growing are not reaping the lost; they simply are collecting members from another’s congregation. We are more into transfers today than converts. (Sometimes I feel like giving them a transit card, like the airlines do, so everyone will know they won’t be residing there, they are just passing through.)

Every church has people coming and going. There are different reasons for this. Some are legitimate, some are ridiculous. It’s almost a full-time job just keeping track of incoming people. However, it’s a task that godly pastors must give themselves to.

How do you know, pastor, how a new person in your church left his last church? Maybe you are harboring a fugitive. Maybe this person who smiles just right, says all the right things to you, and gives a bunch was really a felon in the last church. Are you harboring a fugitive (one running from authority, hoping not to be exposed.)?

I highly recommend that you do some homework on incoming people. Where are they coming from? Who was their last pastor? Are they in good standing in their past church? Will their last pastor give them an endorsement? Did they tear up the flock they left behind?

Listen, friend, even if you are good at this, you will miss some people if you pastor a fast-growing church. Even so, don’t purposely harbor fugitives. No, I’m not saying we should turn people away from our church meetings — even troubled people can repent and do good. If you find out that people are from another church, then find out from them why they left and why they joined you. Call their previous pastor and get a damage report.

Once you’ve done this you can confront these new members, teach them, and lead them to repentance. Then they can close their past with a good conscience and go on to serve the Lord.