Thursday, March 13, 2008

Dumb Dogs...

What would you think of a watch dog that remained silent and did not bark if an intruder was breaking into your house late at night? That dog would be good for nothing. No warning, no barking – just dumb, mute, and silent because he preferred to sleep.

This is what God says of preachers & prophets who do not warn His people of dangers….”His watchmen are blind: they are all ignorant, they are all DUMB DOGS, they cannot bark; sleeping, lying down, loving to slumber” (Isaiah 56:10 KJV).

It is very important that pastors teach their congregations God’s standards in regards to lifestyle and doctrine and warn them of false doctrines, false teachers, worldliness, and encroaching sin. Hebrews 13:17 (KJV) says they “…watch for your souls....” If not warned, danger may be lurking at your door.

God promises to judge pastors harshly if they fail to warn His people, Ezekiel 3:18 says, “When I say to the wicked, ‘You shall surely die,’ and you give him no warning, nor speak to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life, that same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood I will require at your hand” (NKJV). I fully realize that one day I will stand before God at the judgment bar, not only to give account for my own life but also for my responsibility as a minister. This is very sobering to me.

God also promises to give His people faithful pastors. In Jeremiah 3:15 God says, “I will give you pastors according to my heart, which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding” (KJV). Men like these are gifts from God. If you have a pastor (or any spiritual leader) who is after God’s heart, you are fortunate.

In contrast, some people “do not endure sound doctrine but after their own lusts heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears” (2 Timothy 4:3). If people want a false teacher in their life, I think God let’s them have it. The blind follow the blind and both fall into the ditch (Matt. 15:14).

Dumb dogs… the danger is in what they DON’T say.