 SEEDS OF SELF-DESTRUCTION
It is a common phenomenon for institutions, business, teams and even churches to fall into patterns of behavior that result in self-destruction. The church will survive or fall on the leadership provided by her elders and preachers. This article addresses the role of preachers in this unfortunate type of experience.
The seeds of our self-destructions are sown when the following things occur:
When preachers would rather fight against their fellow preachers than against a common enemy who would destroy them both. This is a common occurrence. A preacher sees some flaw in the life or teaching of a fellow-soldier; forgetting the greater danger posed by the enemy, he spends his time and energy attacking the brother on his side of the battle line.
Common sense dictates that if this becomes a widespread practice the body will suffer more wounds than it can stand and destruction will follow. The enemy will win by default. When preachers will not take time to inform themselves of the dangers that threaten the church. Some are like the proverbial monkey who hears no evil and sees no evil as they sit with their eyes closed and ears plugged. Of course it is not pleasant to read about destructive heresies. It is time-consuming and laborious to prepare oneself to respond to them, but such must be done if the body is to survive. Some seem to think they will be excused or exempted if they can say they "just don't know about these things." They serve the church in the same misguided way some American leaders serve the nation by refusing to consider the threat of Islam. When preachers see no need to engage the enemy. Granted, preaching is more than fighting error. But make no mistake about it; we are to arm ourselves for battle against the host of spiritual wickedness (Eph. 6:12). We are to fight the good fight of the faith (I Tim. 6:12). There are false teachers who we are to resist steadfastly in our faith. The preacher who refuses this important aspect of his work is unfaithful to his duty. He leaves the church at great risk of subversion and overthrow. Given time, the forces of change will manifest themselves and a defenseless church will easily succumb. When elders and preachers fail to provide needed information and indoctrination to their congregation, the seeds of self-destruction are being sown. One cannot wait until the enemy is at the gate to arm the citizens. When change agents have infiltrated a congregation and gained a foothold, it may well be too late to try to save the flock from digressions. Today is the day of salvation, not only for lost souls, but for the saving of the church from apostasy. A few good sermons addressing the problems beforehand will serve as an inoculation when the proponents of error appear. Well written tracts, covering the points being raised by change agents, placed in the hands of each family, will fortify their faith and guard them against the sirens of change. A guest speaker who can inform the flock of the nature, extent and danger of the change movement might be an effective road block to future incursions. May it never be said of us that as preachers or elders we sowed the seeds of the church's self destruction. JHW | 
