25 And now, behold, I know that ye all, among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God, shall see my face no more. 26 Wherefore I take you to record this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men. 27 For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God. 28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. 29 For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. 30 Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. 31 Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears. 32 And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified.
We must remember that the Devil has an agenda. He is doing his dirty work whether we can see it or not. We must be alert to the fact that there is such a thing as a grievous wolf....who is also a Sectarian Subverter or Seducer
In the above passage, Paul is speaking to the Ephesian elders. Paul started this work in Ephesus and they were dear to him.
He said, in Acts 20:29 - For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.
Grievous Wolves - The word “grievous” means oppressive — marked by unjust severity (Ravening / Ferocious / Savage) or arbitrary behavior (based on random choice / personal whim). It can also signify weighty, or heavy.
This Particular word is found three times in the NT: Acts 20:29; 25:7; and I John 5:3.
These are people in churches with their own agenda. They pursue their own selfish ends rather than really caring about the church. A wolf is a predatory animal that usually hunts in packs...I have seen some pack-like wolves in churches...have you?
It would be great if you could just believe on Christ and be a member of a local Church and never have to worry about wolves and seducers....and in reality....maybe most of you can, But pastors can’t. Paul was speaking to and warning the elders. He told them to take heed to themselves and watch!
Shepherds are to first take heed to themselves. They were to be spiritually strong and healthy. A Shepherd that is not right spiritually will be of little use when the wolves come. Conversely, a strong, healthy shepherd wards off the wolves. Everyone must remember that the Shepherd has a rod. Much trouble in churches can be directly attributed to a weak Shepherd (A wolf will see an opportunity) or a strong Shepherd who is too distracted. Shepherds must keep themselves alert, and biblically/spiritually strong!
Shepherds are to care for/protect the flock. Read the Scathing indictment against the Shepherds in Ezekiel 34:1–10 who did not care for the “flock.”
Now then, how are we to identify the wolf?
Firstly, the wolf is grievous. Grievous means “heavy…weighty…important” (heavy weighty, important wolves....) - Wolves are people that have the appearance of a sheep, and yet, they manifest a show of largeness, importance....or power, and yet, underneath the show of dignity and importance they are ravening wolves.
How else can we identify the wolf, especially if he is dressed up like a sheep?
Secondly, they speak perverse things (Acts 20:30). They speak things that are not right… crooked things...not consistent with Biblical doctrine. They are Sectarian Seducers. They come in from the outside (and then arise from within) with a desire to indoctrinate the church with their way and their false teaching (Read Matthew 7:15).
Let's say there were 10 elders in the church at Ephesus - Paul was saying....some of you are going to go astray...speaking perverse things....things that are not biblical, right, or proper....just so you can have a following, and seem important.
Paul labels the false teachers as wolves...
Thirdly, these aberrations of doctrine lead to errors in behavior, both in themselves and in the people who listen to them. Wrong doctrine always leads to wrong living! The perversity taught, leads to perverse actions.
Fourthly, they draw away disciples after themselves (Acts 20:30) - People follow the false teacher, instead of the shepherd. When someone attempts to divide the sheep from the shepherd, this is a clear sign that you are dealing with a wolf.
Once the wolf is identified, what should our response be?
The Devil is always trying to destroy that which is good (a family, a marriage, a church, a nation); he does this through men or women described as wolves....so how are we to counter this?
Acts 20:31–32
Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears. And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified.
The warning is first to “watch” - Be awake, Be Alert, with a sense of possible danger. Remember the warning example of Paul - For three years Paul warned everyone night and day with tears concerning doctrinal error.
Next, Paul encourages us to put complete confidence in God - (“I commend you to God”) - God can enable us to stand strong against the wolf - You cannot do it in your own power - The wolf is too devious and tricky and strong (See I Samuel 17:34-37).
Lastly, we must be strong in the Word of God ("I commend you to….the word of his grace”).
Stay Close to God and His word. Make sure that you have a personal relationship with God and a working knowledge of His Word....and you will be able to identify and possibly defeat the wolves.
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