The Devil's Inroad

Number 16:3

"And they gathered themselves together against Moses and against Aaron, and said unto them, Ye take too much upon you, seeing all the congregation are holy, every one of them, and the LORD is among them: wherefore then lift ye up yourselves above the congregation of the LORD?"

The Devil is always out to destroy the work of the LORD. He was out to destroy the children of Israel because they were God's people and He was doing His work through them. Likewise, the church is the work of the LORD, and the Devil will do everything he can to destroy it.

The best way to destroy the work of the LORD is found in the verse above when some men challenged the authority of God's man. It is not that the man of God is sinless, but it is the position he holds and Who he represents that is important. There are three causes why these men and any person will challenge authority.

First, they were dissatisfied with authority's decisions. These men said, "Ye take too much upon you..." They disagreed with all of Moses' decisions. You must be careful that you don't let the Devil have an inroad with your opinions. Everyone has opinions, but we must not let our opinions be the inroad he uses. You may disagree with an authority's decision or how they do something, but it is not your place to change them.

Second, they were dissatisfied with their own position. These men thought the congregation should have more power. They didn't like the position in which God placed them. You must be careful that your desire for position doesn't affect your disposition. When you become dissatisfied with your position and think you deserve a higher position, then the Devil will use it to cause a schism in the work of the LORD.

Third, they were dissatisfied with the person who held the position of authority. These men just did not like Moses. Our dislike of an authority can be quickly used of the Devil to cause problems in a church. Don't destroy the work of the LORD just because you don't like who the authority is.

There are four things you can avoid to keep from allowing the Devil to use you as in inroad in these areas. First, realize the importance of your position. You are important to the work of the LORD. Don't minimize your position. Second, always be respectful of authority. Even when you disagree with authority, you must always be respectful. Third, go directly to the authority when you have a problem with them. Don't go with an arrogant attitude, but approach them with a right attitude. Fourth, talk to God about your disagreement with authority. I have always found that God can change the heart of the authority much quicker than if I try to change them. Let God be the One Who works on the heart of the authority.

Friend, I'm not excusing an authority's abuse of their position, but these things mentioned can quickly destroy the work of the LORD. Don't be the tool the Devil uses to destroy your church. All he looks for is someone who is dissatisfied and he uses that dissatisfaction to destroy God's work. Don't be that tool of destruction.