Many of our so-called “brethren” have hidden agendas. Such is clear when they talk with you like they are a used car salesman with a pile of junk on four wheels they’re trying to sell at top price. Too many of “our brethren”, especially many “preachers”, are opportunists. They have a hidden agenda that they are looking for an opportunity to present. Some have their doctrinal hobbies while others are looking for opportunities such as their personal gain from your pocket (II Peter 2:3). I have seen false brethren use many different things to accomplish their hidden agendas. I’ve seen false brethren use the emotions behind family medical situations to rob good brethren when they’ve really had insurance and just did not tell others about it. In fact, I’ve seen thousands of dollars go to a preacher for family medical expenses when that preacher had state funded insurance (through being dishonest with the welfare system) that covered all of the expenses he reported to brethren he had need of assistance with. In turn, that preacher used those funds to pay some of his credit card debt and excused it away. This same preacher uses pure emotionalism to make tons of money in outside support. He will assume he’s going to lose support from a place and will secure it elsewhere. When he does not lose the support he thought he’d lose, well he’ll just keep both for a rainy day. He will not work with a congregation who can offer full support because he views getting outside support as a way to “get a raise” anytime he wants one. False brethren like that will burn for their blatant dishonesty (Revelation 21:8) and their using of well intentioned brethren. Others have hidden doctrinal agendas. Some will befriend you and tell you they are on the Lord’s side and will appear to be as such (II Timothy 3:5). They’ll play both sides of most doctrinal issues, but they’ll keep you in their pocket as long as possible so you can be their voice when needed. Once befriended, you’d better not challenge this kind of wolf in sheep’s clothing. Beware, this kind of wolf will turn on you and will speak evil about you to everyone they know (Matthew 5:11), for they will fear that you might expose them some day. Men who have to war a carnal warfare are not of the Lord (II Corinthians 10:3-4; cf. Romans 8:5-8). Others with hidden agendas will be your friend too. That is, until you challenge something they’re doing that is wrong. Then all of a sudden, they’ll have a problem with you. They’ll even try to trap you into something they perceive will make you the bad guy (Matthew 22:15-17). Either way, that person’s problem with you will become carnal or personal because those with hidden agendas are never truly concerned with the whole truth! Those who uphold the truth, rather than a hidden agenda, are always up front, plain spoken, frank, and honest (II Corinthians 4:2, I Corinthians 2:1-5, Ephesians 6:19-20, and Hebrews 13:18). Subtlety is a tool of the devil (II Corinthians 11:3). The usage of plain talk, verses that of subtlety, is a key distinction between truth speakers and those with hidden agendas to propagate. Holding back information or speaking by way of suggestion rather than statement; are signs that someone has something they’re hiding (Genesis 3:1ff.). Consider Judas as an example of one with a hidden agenda. The record states: “Then one of the twelve, called Judas Iscariot, went unto the chief priests, And said unto them, What will ye give me, and I will deliver him unto you? And they covenanted with him for thirty pieces of silver. And from that time he sought opportunity to betray him” (Matthew 26:14-16). Judas was an opportunist who saw profit in betrayal. He had already shown he was a thief and this is why he wanted to have the money bag (John 12:3-6). Those with hidden agendas find situations wherein they can secretly accomplish their will. To contrast Judas, we should look at the Apostle Paul. Paul could “do nothing against the truth, but for the truth” (II Corinthians 13:8). Paul would provide for honest things, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men (II Corinthians 8:21). A person with nothing to hide has no hidden agenda. Our agenda should not be hidden. If we are true and faithful to the Lord our agenda should be plain and simple. We ought to be working towards Heaven and trying to take as many other people with us as we can. God’s agenda is that all men be saved (I Timothy 2:4). God’s desire for man to be saved is clear in the sending of His only begotten Son (John 3:16). His agenda is clear because we are given today to get our lives right (II Peter 3:9-10). His agenda for men to be saved is propagated through the preaching of the Gospel (Titus 1:3). The agenda of God is so clear that He wants it preached to the whole world (Matthew 28:19 and Mark 16:15-16). If brethren would just take on His agenda things would be that much greater. Taking on the Lord’s agenda means that we must not hold back the truth when teaching the lost. Paul said: “And how I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, but have shewed you, and have taught you publickly, and from house to house” (Acts 20:20). If more brethren were just like Paul, hidden agendas would not exist among the saints. Brethren would not stop short of declaring the whole counsel of God unto folks (Acts 20:26-27). If someone erred we would rebuke them sharply that they may be sound in the faith (Titus 1:13). Oh, but what do I know as I am a young preacher. Obviously, I know a lot more than some of our truth hiding, agenda riding, politically minded, sophistry speaking, false brethren. This I know, for the Bible tells me so (II Timothy 3:14-15)! Too many “brethren” have forsaken God’s agenda for their own. We need to get back to the Lord’s work. Christ is not going to be happy if He returns to find His people doing something other than His work (Matthew 24:45-46). Hold preachers accountable to get back to the Lord’s bidding. It’s about getting people to Heaven – nothing more or less than that (Matthew 18:11, II Corinthians 5:11, and I Timothy 4:16). The next time a brother or sister talks to you about someone else or about a position they’ve taken, ask them what their agenda is. If the discussion is not about the truth and getting to Heaven; its worthless talk that should be avoided (I Timothy 6:20-21). |
| Volume VII ~ Issue XIII ~ December 24th, 2006 |
Words of Truth Weekly - Online Edition
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What must one do to be saved (Acts 2:37)? Hear and believe the Gospel (Mark 16:15-16 & Romans 10:17), repent
of their sins (Acts 3:19), confess Christ (Acts 8:37), and be baptized (immersed) for the remission of sins into the
church of Christ (Acts 2:38, I Corinthians 12:12-13, and Romans 6:1-6). One must then remain faithful (Rev. 2:10).
of their sins (Acts 3:19), confess Christ (Acts 8:37), and be baptized (immersed) for the remission of sins into the
church of Christ (Acts 2:38, I Corinthians 12:12-13, and Romans 6:1-6). One must then remain faithful (Rev. 2:10).
| Edited by: Brian A. Yeager |
| What is the Agenda? By: Brian A. Yeager |
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| The Difference Between Those With Hidden Agendas and Those With the Truth |
| What Should Our Agenda Be? |
| Conclusion |