Subversive Spies
. . . holding fast the faithful word as he has been taught, that he may be able, by sound doctrine, both to exhort and convict those who contradict. For there are many insubordinate, both idle talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision . . . . (Titus 1:9-10 NKJV)
Every congregation is a conglomeration, a collection of people from different spiritual circles. In every church, you will find those who are seriously saved. They know their sins have been washed away, and they're seeking God's will for their lives as they serve Him with their whole heart. You'll also have suspicious skeptics, who aren't sure where they stand with God but attend nonetheless because they want to learn more. You're also bound to have a few self-serving socialites. For them, church is an opportunity to network and make connections they stand to profit from.
And then there's a fourth group that's described for us in the passage above-the subversive spies. These people come into the house of God with an agenda to share, spread, and sow seeds of dispute and disagreement. Subversive spies present a very real danger to the body of Christ, and they need to be identified and called out when their agenda is discovered. This may sound harsh at first, but remember, Jesus commanded His followers to be on the lookout for such people:
'Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles? Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Therefore by their fruits you will know them.' (Matthew 7:15-20 NKJV)
Subversive spies are bound to bear bad fruit, and it's our responsibility to step up and rebuke them. If we don't, they will spread discontent and the body of Christ will soon become divided, disoriented, and disconnected from the great God whom it's supposed to represent.
DIG - What's the agenda of subversive spies in the body of Christ?
DISCOVER - What's your responsibility when you encounter one of these people?
DISPLAY - What type of fruit have you been producing?
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At the age of 24, Bob Coy left a coveted position in the music industry to serve as an associate pastor with Calvary Chapel of Las Vegas. In 1985, Bob and his wife, Diane, moved to Fort Lauderdale and began Calvary Chapel of Fort Lauderdale. As senior pastor, he has become well known for his unique style in expounding the Scriptures, making them come alive and relate to those of us living in the 21st century. His teaching style emphasizes the believer's "life application" of the highest standards of God's truth while his delivery captures the loving heart of God's Spirit.
Pastor Bob has had the rare privilege of watching God's miraculous hand move in the individual lives of those in the fellowship as well as the corporate body as a whole. From the first meeting in a living room with four in attendance, Calvary Chapel Fort Lauderdale has now become home to over 17,000 men and women from the tri-county area, and ranks as the eighth largest church in the country. Though many have tried to attribute its rapid growth to numerous reasons, no one is more surprised by the phenomenon than Pastor Bob, who gives total credit and all the glory to God alone.
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