Moles In The Church

The enemies of Judah and Benjamin heard that the exiles were rebuilding a Temple to the Lord, the God of Israel. So they approached Zerubbabel and the other leaders and said, “Let us build with you, for we worship your God just as you do. We have sacrificed to him ever since King Esarhaddon of Assyria brought us here.” But Zerubbabel, Jeshua, and the other leaders of Israel replied, “You may have no part in this work. We alone will build the Temple for the Lord, the God of Israel, just as King Cyrus of Persia commanded us.” Then the local residents tried to discourage and frighten the people of Judah to keep them from their work. They bribed agents to work against them and to frustrate their plans. This went on during the entire reign of King Cyrus of Persia and lasted until King Darius of Persia took the throne. [Ezra 4.1-5]

We might learn a strategy of the enemy here today: "If you can't beat'em, join'em (then beat'em from inside)."

Almost as long as there have been humans, there have surely been spies or 'moles'. There have been those from one group who infiltrate another group for no other reason but to conquer them. This method is an effective tool and therefore still in use today.

While it is easy enough to imagine national 'infiltrators' (from one country spying/working havoc on another from within), it is not so imaginable from the spiritual sense. The Body of Christ has many opponents. What better way to wreak havoc and discord among the Body of Christ - the Church - than to infiltrate this group and work against them from within?

If the Church is so naive to think this isn't happening, then the Church should think again!

The most dangerous situation is present in the Church however in that many of the 'moles' within the ranks of the Church are entirely unaware of their utility! Because of the spiritual nature of the Church, the strategies against her are spiritual also. In other words, there could exist within the Church those who are working for the enemy who may not even know it. The litmus test is the Word of God - for both the 'knowing' and the 'unknowing'. A true student of the Word of God (as revealed in the Bible) will indeed discern whether or not he or she is sowing discord among other believers so that corrections may be made. Likewise, an astute student of God's Word will be able to spot a 'mole' by that mole's agenda as illuminated by the Truth revealed in the Bible.

As we can see, the Bible is the key component necessary to avoid infiltration by the enemy and the enemy's plots. However, many a Bible scholar has served as much to work against the Church as to work for her! Herein is seen the difference in the Bible and the Word of God! Without the inspiration and guidance of God's Holy Spirit, the Living Word of God is never 'unlocked' or 'revealed' in or from the Bible. Without the Spirit, the Bible is mysteriously 'locked' - one may read it and never comprehend the limitless blessing of God's Word. This is sad, but it is true. 

Perhaps the singular key component responsible for the 'unlocking' of God's Word is prayer for it is in prayer that the Spirit of God moves most freely upon our lives and transforms Bible stories into the Word of God!

Just going to church or even being a Bible scholar does not make us truly children of God. The achievement of these things, without a genuine and prayerful Spirit-led approach, may in fact inadvertently render us a 'mole' within the Church and capable of great damage.

Father, I don't want to work against You whether it be on purpose or ignorantly! Help me to pray and move in and with Your Holy Spirit!