“Friend or foe?” wondered the crew as they peered through the wandering wisps of pea-soup fog. They could only guess about the ship they were approaching.
Closer and closer, they came to the many-masted vessel. Not all of her sails were unfurled as she also poked her way through the mist.
The clanging of her ship’s bell rudely broke the silence. Soon mumbles of shouted orders could be vaguely heard. A question still puzzled most of the approaching crew. Was this heavily cannoned ship they were nearing a friend or enemy?
As the English vessel inched to the starboard of the unknown ship, a mate called out that he thought he saw enemy insignia on the jib as it fluttered into the murky mist.
Another quickly countered the alarm by stating, “She’s English. See her banner!” Soon, many leaned over the rail and saw the same insignia their vessel had raised.
Quickly, the captain got the word. “She’s friend,” was bellowed. Great relief went through the crew. The ship’s whistle called the alarm off. Cannons were pulled back off the rail. There was no need for alarm, as the approaching vessel was a friend. They thought.
Soon they were alongside this strange vessel. The crew lined the rail to wave and shout welcomes.
What a terrifying retort the approached ship replied with as her double-decks of cannons flashed an unwelcome reply. It was an enemy ship.
As the tricked vessel was ravished by a close-range barrage of cannon shot, her decks and rigging were soon destroyed. Rigging and masts came crashing down and claimed many lives. It was not long before she started taking on water and lisped to her starboard. She was going down.
“But she was a Britt,” gasped a confused, wounded sailor. Through the fog, he got a closer picture. The enemy’s vessel had lowered her English banner and now ran a different standard up the mast. It was the pirate skull and bones. Pirates had ambushed them.
The false banner of one who claimed to be a Christian or of the same stripe has fooled many a preacher, youth leader, Christian school teacher, and church member. It was discovered that they were not or were of different standards and beliefs than they led others to believe.
In a ministry, those with false doctrines do get in. Some deliberately force their ideology on an unknowing, undiscerning membership. Sometimes there is no motive or intention. They may not even know that they’re not the same as others. Sometimes they are not Christians and think they know better than the pastor and others. No matter how or why they infiltrated the lines, they can do a lot of destruction to members and a church. Many churches have learned this truth, as a church was split and the work for the Lord was devastated.
How can one discern that all that claim to be of Christ are? There are biblical guidelines to help one discern, but before they are put under that scrutiny, it is best to wait.
Many ministries have a weakness in this area. The need for helpers and workers in a work is so great that the first willing, warm body through the door gets utilized for a ministry opening. Little consideration of the volunteer’s spiritual soundness and maturity is evaluated before handing them a ministry position. They are moved into place so quickly that steady church attendance, doctrinal agreement, and spiritual growth have not had adequate time to be verified.
Soon they are involved, excited, fervent, and eager, but only for a short time. Some cannot maintain the pace required of them. They miss a week here or there. They may even whisper disapproval to others about their labors. These workers had no time to prepare and be strengthened spiritually.
Although the admonition applies to the qualifications of a preacher, I Timothy 3:6 gives good advice about one getting into the ministry: “Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil.”
One should be grounded, strengthened, and trained before stepping onto the spiritual battlefield. Too many go into the fray unprotected, unpracticed, and unprepared. As a result, they get wounded and are out of service before they can begin.
After I was saved, the Lord made it clear that He wanted me to teach. I couldn’t wait to teach. I quickly bounded over to the preacher for my first assignment. His wise words were, “Wait. Start attending every church service. Study your Bible and learn what He has for you. Then if you still feel that’s what the Lord wants you to do, come to see me in one year!”
“One year!” I was shocked and discouraged. I wanted it now; however, I did as the preacher suggested. I was at his door one year later and received my first church ministry.
I did not like the wait. To be honest, I got a little mad at the preacher. Now, however, I appreciate the pastor’s discernment of my spiritual immaturity and his deep respect for having the ministry occupied by the right leader. My waiting also showed him how serious I was about the position, and I was better prepared when it was offered.
The Bible advises us to discern if one is what he says he is. Their “fruits” must be observed. “Fruits,” in this context, refers to what is spiritually produced. A godly person will be righteous and do things approved of by his Father.
When one is genuinely saved, the evidence is not hard to discover. Church attendance, Bible reading, and an interest in the things of God will be natural. All these are some fruits that can be expected from a Christian. Attitudes, convictions, involvements in the right things, and separation from the wrong things will be fruit that can easily be observed.
In Florida, there was an excellent example of how hard it is to discern “fruit.” During the killing frosts of the 1980s, many orange trees died. The top of the tree died off almost immediately, but the graft, close to the root, soon sprouted up another orange tree.
Within years, the tree was producing fruit. The leaves were the same, and the fruit looked like a juicy orange. When the fruit was sliced open and tasted, it was quickly realized that it was sour and unfit for consumption. Looks were deceiving, but its true character was revealed when the fruit was closely inspected, not just the tree.
“Well, all this talk about discerning another’s fruits is judgmental, and I’ll have no part of it,” some may mutter. Matthew 7:1, “Judge not, that ye be not judged,” is often quoted. It usually gets some nervous about discerning one’s testimony.
When the verses toward the end of that chapter are read, one will find three things we are to judge. They include false messages (Matthew 7:15), false fruits (verse 16), and false hopes for Heaven (verse 21). We are to know if things are righteous, of God, and His will for our lives. How can that be accomplished without discerning?
Of the 15 times “fruits” are used in the New Testament, 11 are clearly about observing another’s spiritual testimony. When one’s spirituality is viewed and evaluated, getting the right person in the proper position will be easier.
Wait, closely observe, and one’s “banner” will clearly be revealed. Waiting may save time and heartache for the Christian, as well as for the ministry.
