Have you noticed that wolves rarely face the herd straight on and go after the strongest member of the herd? No, they creep in from the side and target the most vulnerable.

It’s the same way with false teachers. They rarely announce themselves at the front door. Instead, they creep in from the side, targeting whoever seems most vulnerable — the weary, the wounded, the isolated.

In 2 Timothy 3, Apostle Paul warns Timothy about “those who creep into households and capture weak women, burdened with sins and led astray by various passions, always learning and never able to arrive at a knowledge of the truth.” These women and many others like them are sitting ducks, just waiting for somebody to come along with deception to exploit their burdens and loneliness.

Paul says that, like Jannes and Jambres back in Moses’ day, who deceived folks with counterfeit signs, these teachers oppose truth. Their minds are corrupted and have disqualified themselves from the faith. They may win a season and gather a following. But Paul was confident: “They will not get very far, for their folly will be plain to all.” Counterfeits eventually crumble under their own weight.

Beloved, we have to be wary of corrupt creeps like these. We must guard the weaker folks amongst us. And when these bad actors come opposing God, we must oppose them for the greater good of those around us.

We’re not looking for a fight, but we will defend our friends, family, and flock from the wolves circling the pasture and pen.

May we stand with courage on truth that outlasts every clever lie!

Change begins in you!