I have watched my own life and the lives of those around me for 72 years. My particular field of view has been churches and the Christian communities where I’ve ministered.
The church is often, sadly, a microcosm of the world. Many churches contain both wise and foolish men and women. Jesus was the one who declared that there would be both “wheat and tares” even in the church, i.e., people who were genuine believers and those who profess to be believers but are not.
It was the religious but lost people who led the crowd to crucify Jesus because He challenged control of their lives and institutions. If a man has not submitted to Christ (although he professes to be religious), he can be very dangerous and destructive. He is capable of nefarious things while proclaiming his innocence and supposed spirituality.
THE END OF THE GODLESSLY RELIGIOUS
The book of Proverbs is filled with contrasts between the wise and the foolish. It tells you exactly what they will do and how they will end.
I have watched small, loud groups of controlling people in many churches. I'm watching one now as they are destroying a church and a good pastor … and they are relentless. And they’re doing it publicly. It is discouraging and disturbing, but it is not the first time.
Most pastors I know (including me) have been on the receiving end of some controlling individuals in a church at some point, particularly when good leaders are trying to bring about needed change. It’s never pretty and is designed by the great Enemy to hinder the gospel and destroy the light of God’s church. What's particularly disturbing is those in the middle--humble, well-meaning people who get confused by the loud voices of others. And also tragic, is the ammunition a church fight gives to the Enemy as he seeks to keep people in the world away from God and His kingdom.
But I have learned from much experience that you shouldn't be deceived when you become discouraged by how vicious, religious, yet foolish men or women can be. They will always come to a tragic end, for God will not be mocked. A lack of integrity will always be found out.
There is a way to handle concerns in a church, even with spiritual leaders. The foolish man thinks this should be done publicly as loudly and viciously as possible. But Proverbs 14 gives us just a few insights into what foolish men and women are doing and their end.
THEY ARE DESTRUCTIVE AND DON'T CARE WHAT GETS TORN DOWN IN THE PROCESS
A wise woman builds her house, but the foolish tears it down with her own hands. (Vs. 1)
THEY, IN REALITY, DO NOT FEAR BUT DESPISE GOD
He who walks in his uprighteness fears the Lord, but he who is devious in his ways despises Him. (Vs. 2)
THEY WILL BE DISCIPLINED BY GOD
In the mouth of the foolish is a rod for his back. (Vs. 3)
THEY ARE OFTEN FILLED WITH DECEIT
A false witness utters lies (Vs. 5) The foolishness of fools is deceit (Vs. 8b)
THEY ARE SCOFFERS AND WILL NEVER FIND TRUE WISDOM
A scoffer seeks wisdom and finds none (Vs. 6)
THEY THINK THEY’RE DOING RIGHT, BUT IT’S THE WAY OF DEATH
There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death. (Vs. 12)
THEIR PRIDE MAKES THEM CARELESS
A fool is arrogant and careless. (Vs. 16b)
THEY ARE QUICK-TEMPERED AND WILL BE HATED BY OTHERS
A quick-tempered man acts foolishly, and a man of evil devices is hated. (Vs. 17) He who is quick-tempered exalts folly. (Vs. 29)
THEY WILL ONE DAY BOW DOWN TO THOSE WHO ARE GOOD
The evil will bow down before the good, and the wicked at the gates of the righteous. (Vs. 19)
Will they not go astray who devise evil? But kindness and truth will be to those who devise good. (Vs. 22)
THEY WILL NOT SAVE PEOPLE BUT HARM THEM
A truthful witness saves lives, but he who utters lies is treacherous. (Vs. 25)
THEY WILL BE DESTROYED BY THEIR WRONGDOING
The wicked is thrust down by his wrongdoing, but the righteous has a refuge when he dies. (Vs. 32)
THEY DON’T HELP BUT HURT THEIR COMMUNITY, AND THEIR SIN IS DISGRACEFUL
Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people. (Vs. 34)
Don’t believe everything you hear, particularly from a gossip. And if you see foolish men and women acting shamefully and wickedly, particularly in the church, don’t be fooled. They will not persevere. A day of reckoning will come, although they can cause much damage in their wake.
God will always … always … vindicate humble, honest men and women who fear the Lord and walk in His ways. We can trust in His ultimate justice.
