Introduction to the book

It is not the purpose of this book to echo the news media and single out those acting like tares whose activities have become so bizarre that they have already marked themselves. Rather, its intent is to bring to light those clandestine individuals in our midst (the wolves in sheep's clothing), who under various guises are either making merchandise of the church, wreaking havoc in its midst by introducing confusion and discord through false teaching and doctrines, or putting burdens on it that cannot be borne. Of special concern to the authors is the multitude of small flocks of the Lord's sheep that are being held in bondage by self-serving shepherds who corral the sheep with the whip of the law. In the case of the wolves or tares, the motivation may be gerrymandering (wanting to rule the spirits of others).  In the case of those with doctinal errors--the product of false teachers and teachings--the motivation may be as simple as self-preservation (fear lest their means of livelihood come into jeopardy).  In either case, the results are the same. Under the guise of protecting their flock from wolves and false doctrines, they shroud their minds with confusion, frustrate the Gospel and grace of God, and cut them off from fellowship with the rest of the flock. Granted, we live in a day when the shepherds should make their flocks to be aware of the wolves and the error of the day, but this is not done by penning the sheep day and night and giving them no opportunity to graze in the Lord's pastures. To so pen the sheep can only lead to disaster, for the sheep will become diseased and sickly and end up trampling one another. If the shepherd is genuinely concerned for the well being of those in his fold, he will strive to bring them into the full liberty of the Christ so that each member of his flock might stand tall and strong in the Lord and fill his own place in the ranks of the Lord's army.

Let's face it Church, we are called to a spiritual warfare, but only those of full-grown maturity can wield a sword. On the other hand, a local body that is suppressed in their spiritual growth is like a nursery full of babes—lovable, but hardly a military asset. To know what manner of church we belong to we need but to apply a simple test; i.e., "…by their fruit we shall know them." If our church is full of liberty, graciousness, concern one for another, and a zeal to share the Gospel of Christ; then we can thank Christ. But if our church is like a piece of fruit that has shriveled on the vine, with no concern or compassion for the lost—even losing its own children to the world—then there is cause for concern. IF THIS LAST CHURCH DEPICTS YOUR CHURCH, THEN THERE IS SOMETHING IN THIS BOOK FOR YOU.