Jeremiah 23:1

“Woe to the shepherds who are destroying and scattering the sheep of my pasture!” declares the Lord.

There are many who claim the name of Jesus and don’t represent Him and His character at all, even those who call themselves shepherds. Many times it becomes about me and my agenda. Where this happens most is when God’s sheep are not in the scriptures, protecting themselves from false teaching. A great example of this is found in the Roman Catholic church before the time of the reformation. Because people did not have direct access to God’s word, they were subject to the teachings of one fallen man instead of from the mouth of God. The priests began highlighting only portions of scriptures and mandating indulgences, thereby oppressing God’s people by the apparent use of scripture. As shepherds and as sheep we need to check our teachings with scripture.

Some people destroy and scatter the sheep by making it almost impossible for people to come to God. This happens when we becomes legalists over the methodology of a church. Sometimes it becomes a matter of holiness based upon whether or not you tuck your shirt in. Sometimes it becomes a matter of holiness based upon whether or not the music is pleasing “to God.” Sometimes it becomes a matter of holiness based upon what translation of the Bible you use.
What has happened is that in order to preserve one thing, we become the exact thing we were trying not to become. i.e. In order that we don’t lose the true message of scripture we must not change anything, including our methodology. The problem is that no matter what, you are in some way contextualizing the message – the question is to what time period and culture. Jesus used examples that were relevant to the audience He spoke to. Paul talks about contextualizing the message based upon the audience he spoke to. In our efforts to preserve the teachings of the Bible let us not become scatterers of sheep based upon our preferences and opinions of methodology.

Members and attenders are just as much a part of this as pastors. Jesus talks not only of false teachers in the position of pastor or shepherd, but also among the sheep. He says in Matthew 7:15, “Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves.” Many times those in our congregations will sacrifice the kingdom of God for the kingdom of comfort and tradition. Are you destroying the sheep of God’s pasture because of a personal preference? Are you asking the type of questions that undermine God’s authority? Are you leading people to Jesus, or are you pushing them away? Many times wolves think they are just misunderstood shepherds, but the scriptures are clear – you are worse than the unbeliever.