On September 11th, 2001 the United States of America had a wake-up call that we are not safe in all places at all times.  No one old enough to remember that day will likely forget it.  On September 20th, 2001 President George W. Bush addressed the nation.  He made some statements that have been forged within my mind.  He said: “And we will pursue nations that provide aid or safe haven to terrorism. Every nation in every region now has a decision to make: Either you are with us or you are with the terrorists.  From this day forward, any nation that continues to harbor or support terrorism will be regarded by the United States as a hostile regime. Our nation has been put on notice, we're not immune from attack. We will take defensive measures against terrorism to protect Americans” (http://www.cnn.com/2001/US/09/20/gen.bush.transcript/).  In this example of a carnal situation wherein terrorists would be rightly found and punished along with those harboring them (Romans 13:1ff.), I would like to draw some spiritual applications.

     In speaking of the bride of Christ I am making mention of the church of Christ (Ephesians 5:22-32 and Revelation 21:2).  In talking about spiritual things we are talking in contrast of the physical [carnal] (I Corinthians 3:1-3 and Colossians 3:1-3).  When comparing terrorism to those attacking the body of Christ we are simply reaffirming what the Lord has already said.  The Lord has said that we are in a spiritual battle (Ephesians 6:10-17).

     There are many similarities between the tactics of false teachers and terrorists of this world.  Terrorists plan their attacks and act secretly.  They position themselves near their target, they research their target, and they act using their victims as mere pieces in their chess game.  When we read the word of God we find that false teachers do the same thing.  False teachers act secretly, with well planned action, and from within they make brethren likened unto merchandise in their covetous ways.  Note the proof of this through what Peter wrote by inspiration: “But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.  And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of.  And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not” (II Peter 2:1-3).

     Like terrorists false teachers often disguise themselves.  They try to blend in to a crowd when planning to hijack an airplane.  When Jesus warned of false teachers he said: “Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.  Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?  Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.  A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.  Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.  Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them” (Matthew 7:15-20).

     Just as terrorists often rise from within a nation against a nation (as we see in Israel, Iraq, etc.), false teachers can even come from within a local congregation.  Paul warned the elders in Ephesus by saying: “Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.  For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.  Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.  Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears” (Acts 20:28-31).

     Like with terrorism, we must be on the lookout.  We must use the intelligence we have through the word of God so that we are not ignorant to the devices of the Devil (II Corinthians 2:11).  We must employ scriptural methods to prevent the church from being attacked from within and without.  Terrorists have support from countries, just as false teachers are supported by erring congregations.  So, an endorsement from a local church of a man does not carry the weight it ought to.  We must be able to try [test] men and women that are within a local work or coming to be part of a local congregation (I John 4:1).  If we are ignorant to what and where to look for error, we will find ourselves as open as the New York Trade Towers were.

     We are in spiritual battle, as noted earlier in this article, and we must have that mindset.  We must be aware (I Peter 5:8).  We must be set for the defense of the Gospel (Philippians 1:17).  We must be aware of the false teachers within the body of Christ and we must be aware of what they are teaching.  This is why faithful brethren spend time marking false teachers, which is a warning to the faithful (Romans 16:17-18).  The U.S. Government had the idea of making the faces of terrorism known and where they live.  The U.S. Government also made the American people aware of what countries harbor those terrorists.

     Along with warning brethren about the false teachers among us, we must also warn about the congregations that harbor those false teachers.  In so doing we will send out the message: Supporters of Spiritual Terrorism – BE AWARE.  We need not only to mark false teachers, but we must mark congregations that support false teachers and false doctrine.  Some brethren would prefer to pay no attention to what goes on in other congregations doctrinally.  Some would even say that it is wrong to know what happens in other local congregations.  Some brethren need to be reminded of what happened in Antioch and how the brethren in Jerusalem were informed and involved (Acts 15:1ff.).  Those same brethren need to ask themselves why their position does not limit them from being able to read the Epistles written to local churches (i.e. Romans, I Corinthians, II Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, etc.).  Churches that support false doctrine, as well as individuals, are partaking in those evil deeds (II John 9-11).

     We need to know where to worship when traveling and where to steer clear of.  We need to know where we do not want to move when we take job offers in other places.  We need to be informed of the false doctrines being formed and supported in other congregations (Acts 15; II John 9-11).  We need to be aware so that they do not come within the local churches where we work and worship.

     Once armed with information, we must be armed with the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God (Ephesians 6:17). By arming ourselves with the word of God we can be prepared to contend zealously for the faith (Jude 3).  We need to be able to keep to the word of God like the church that met in Philadelphia did (Revelation 3:10).  If we are people of biblical knowledge the false teachers that try to come from within and without will be at a severe disadvantage.  They may board the plane, but quickly they would find that they are out the door without a parachute, so to speak.  When brethren are people of Scriptural knowledge they are capable of searching the Scriptures to know they are being taught the truth (Acts 17:10-11).  Let us prepare to face the enemies.

     Some brethren have become complacent when it comes to dealing with false doctrine.  Some have sought to twist the Scriptures to allow fellowship with those teaching and endorsing error.  If we do not walk in truth we do not walk with God (I John 1:7 and III John v.4).  Let’s learn from the physical threats of terrorism we have seen of late.  Let’s learn to be observant and supportive of those who will fight the false teachers on their soil to keep them from ours.  Let’s learn that souls are at stake and the false teacher is doing the work of the Devil (II Corinthians 4:3-4; 11:12-15).  Let’s use the word of God to prepare ourselves in the event that a false teacher creeps in among us.  We need to fight against the false teachers and those that harbor them!