Back in the 1960’s I remember there were many political and social phrases being bandied about. One was “Change is good”. This had no impact on my teenaged mind at that time, but I later came to realize that its’ meaning implies that all change is not only good, but necessary, and any who will not embrace it are no better than unyielding, anti-progressive traditionalists. Because intimidation is a useful weapon for those who seek to change things by controlling people, these negative attitudes were meant, then as now, to soften resistance to new ideas while simultaneously embarrassing or intimidating opposing voices into remaining silent and inactive so that political or social change could be effected. These same weapons and methods are used everyday against Christ’s church, as Satan and man seek to deny God’s will. We as soldiers of the cause of Christ must understand that we have a duty to stand for His truth and against the lies of Satan, and that our ability to do so is determined in part by the make up of the members on the local level. There are generally three types of people who may comprise a local church, who are: 1. Those who diligently serve God and give heed to His command and authority. 2. Those that seem diligent, but waver in their willingness to stand for God because they don’t like conflict. 3. Those having “a form of Godliness” (2^nd Tim. 3:15) as long as nothing more is required of them. Now let’s examine how these groups can be manipulated by those we will hereafter refer to as control, or change artists.   

Each of these types of members represents groups that can, in the skillful hands of control artists, be pitted against each other so that some change can be introduced. This is possible because some in the Lords’ church are not being led by the Spirit, but by Satan. Remember (Luke 16:13), “no servant can serve two masters”, so if they aren’t following Christ they’re following Satan. It’s no more complicated than that. If we follow, the Holy Spirit will guide us in truth, but Satan will deceive an individual or groups into thinking they possess great knowledge and purpose that stems from their own noble intellect, while hiding the fact that he is using them as tools of destruction. They’re puppets on strings and often don’t know it. And the fact that they find it acceptable to act in tricky and covert ways in order to bring others around to their way of thinking should be clear indicators to all of the unrighteousness of their intent. Evidence of this is shown in the numbers of churches that have removed Christ’s name from the sign or building. No matter how justified, these churches are just trying to trick people into darkening the door. If the means of achieving change are evil, so too will be the thing changed.

Let’s suppose that the preacher, one or all of the elders, or any combination of the afore-mentioned, decided that your church was no longer going to preach baptism for salvation, and to include a musical instrument for worship. In a strong church, once these evils were introduced they would not be allowed to become issues, because the church will stand firmly united against such apostasies, even to the removal of the preacher and or elders if necessary. If these men are not handling Gods word righteously they can be removed. It’s not as if they have unlimited and unimpeachable authority. God will know such a church for the stand it has taken.                               

In a weaker church though, it could be more easily achieved, beginning most typically with private conversations between the change artists and various members as they cast about looking for potential adherents, who will be identified and formed into a core group of followers. Then one Sunday a new course of study, or a series of lessons will be announced, presumably to “learn God’s will” regarding these matters. The real intent however, is to over time slowly introduce and develop these ideas, like a multi-coursed meal. As each course is served and digested, new ones are added, and during the meal the core group will be scouting and reporting back on any opposition so that those members can be identified and dealt with. Soon, the full meal will have been served and the members will sit back satisfied, not realizing they’ve been fed unclean meat. They will readily embrace these “new truths” as parts of the “forward thinking, non-legalistic, non-traditional” attitudes of their local church. Aren’t we all just so smart and modern? 

Now, carefully consider this next point. It’s not likely that all will sit quietly by. There will be a few brave souls who will go to these change artists and say, “Wait a minute, these things are in violation of Gods will. What about (Acts 2:38) and (Ephesians 5:19)”? At this point the change artists may seek to gently explain their stand, because change is best effected when people willingly embrace it. But their patience with this “resistance movement” will not be long. Continued resistance by one or more members will only result in their being identified and labeled as “enemies.” They will be preached about, not usually by name, but by attitude, as struggling against God, and of being contentious, uncooperative and divisive troublemakers, especially if they dare to make their resistance known publicly. After all, aren’t we all supposed to be of one mind?! In essence, those pushing for change will try to silence the resistance by embarrassing them publicly or provoking them to some angry reaction so that the change artists can claim victim status. These tactics are so predictable! Unfortunately, many will return to their seats, cowed and silent.                                     

Once major resistance has ended the change artists will claim, in some undefined and indistinguishable way, either that they have the authority to make these changes, or they will grossly distort scripture to “prove” the necessity of the change, because a churches relative inexperience in handling Gods word is of special value to change artists. If any resistance continues, all they have to do is divide the church up into as many groups as necessary to effect the desired change. Flattering words and inclusion into some special inner circle will be used to distance some from the issue. A “them against us” siege mentality will be established. And, Satan has duly noted the fact that people are basically peace lovers, so he will use this in his fight against the church. The weak will be pitted against the strong, the young against the old, the rich against the poor, long-term members against the new comers, even the wives against the husbands! These change artists will keep dividing until, in the ensuing and seemingly unending chaos, many will want to give up just to have some peace. It is at this point that a church is going to show the degree of its strength. If comprised mostly of the “can’t we all just get along” crowd, or the “don’t involve me in your issues” types, the struggle may be noted, but will also be ignored. “I just want to sit in my spot at the assembly and then go home. What more do you want”? To the change artists, they want nothing more than that. “Everyone just shut up, sit down, and do as you’re told”! The lie will win because everyone got tired! Don’t think that Satan doesn’t know how to work a crowd.

Brethren, the change artists want you to be afraid to stand, because fear makes it easier for them to achieve Satan’s ends. Remember, they think they’re acting from their own scriptural intellect, but they’re just voluntary tools, and that’s why their apostasies are not to be trusted. Their “truth” is of the evil one, and so is no truth. They only thing that comes from evil is more evil. As an example, the idea of religious fornication among God’s people would have been unthinkable to Joshua, but by the time of the first captivity it was being openly practiced in temple worship. What does our future hold?

It’s a sad thing to say that some who were once paragons of strength and knowledge have weakened, stumbled and embraced all kinds of lies. Others have been left exhausted and vulnerable after decades of service, so we must take up the fight! At this point you may be asking yourself, what can I do? I’m only one member. I exhort you brethren, be bold in your faith. Don’t sit on your hands. Don’t be bitter, but don’t let these change artists go unchallenged either. Openly oppose them if necessary. You won’t be acting in a maliciously contentious manner, but rather righteously con-tending for the faith, which is the cause of Christ and God’s truth, and remember, we’re not individual groups within the local church, but one group united in Christ and delivered by Him from the bondage of sin (Romans 6:15-17). We know that Christ preached baptism for the remission of sins, and we know that He gave no authority for the use of musical instruments, so if someday our brethren view us as enemies because we’re unwilling to change with the times, remember that Paul said in Romans 8:31, “What shall we say then to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? ” If you don’t stand, or refuse to support those who do, the next thing you may hear in the worship service is “By the way, we’ll be worshipping the Queen of heaven from now on. At this time, Sister Catherine will lead us in our opening prayer”. It’s not as farfetched as you may think!