21/08/2026
DISCERN WHO WALKS BESIDE YOU
Recognizing the People You Must Avoid in Ministry
2 Timothy 3:1–5 (NASB)
1 But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come. 2 For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3 unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good, 4 treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5 holding to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power; Avoid such men as these.
Introduction
One of the greatest mistakes a pastor or church leader can make is believing that everyone who enters the ministry will strengthen it.
Not everyone who is present is profitable.
Not everyone who serves is surrendered.
Not everyone who speaks the language of faith carries the heart of Christ.
The Bible repeatedly teaches us not only whom to love, but also whom to avoid. Love is unconditional, but trust is earned. Grace is available to everyone, but influence should never be given indiscriminately.
Many ministries have been weakened—not because of attacks from outside—but because leaders ignored the warning signs of unhealthy people inside.
Jesus loved Judas, but He never entrusted Himself to him (John 2:24-25).
Paul loved people, yet he also warned the church to stay away from certain kinds of individuals (Romans 16:17; 2 Timothy 3:5).
A wise leader knows that protecting the flock also means discerning the wolves, the divisive, the deceptive, and the destructive.
Today we will answer three important questions:
• Who are the people we should avoid?
• Why should we avoid them?
• How can we avoid them without losing our Christlike character?
I. AVOID PEOPLE WHO CONSTANTLY CREATE DIVISION
Romans 16:17–18 (NASB)
17 Now I urge you, brethren, keep your eye on those who cause dissensions and hindrances contrary to the teaching which you learned, and turn away from them. 18 For such men are slaves, not of our Lord Christ but of their own appetites; and by their smooth and flattering speech they deceive the hearts of the unsuspecting.
THEIR SIGNS
• They spread gossip.
• They create camps and factions.
• They criticize leadership behind closed doors.
• They enjoy controversy more than unity.
• They sow suspicion instead of faith.
WHY AVOID THEM?
Division destroys what years of prayer and sacrifice have built.
The devil rarely destroys a church through persecution.
More often, he destroys it through division.
Unity is fragile.
Division is contagious.
HOW DO WE AVOID THEM?
• Refuse to entertain gossip.
• Confront issues biblically.
• Do not reward divisive behavior with influence.
• Protect the unity of the church.
II. AVOID PEOPLE WHO HAVE THE APPEARANCE OF GODLINESS BUT LACK TRUE TRANSFORMATION
Paul lists nineteen dangerous characteristics, ending with:
2 Timothy 3:1–5 (NASB)
1 But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come. 2 For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3 unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good, 4 treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5 holding to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power; Avoid such men as these.
THEIR SIGNS
• Religious but not repentant.
• Active in ministry but absent in holiness.
• Skilled in serving but unwilling to submit.
• They impress people but not God.
WHY AVOID THEM?
External religion without inward transformation eventually becomes hypocrisy.
A gifted person without character is dangerous.
Ministry can hide spiritual emptiness.
HOW DO WE AVOID THEM?
• Evaluate character before gifting.
• Promote spiritual maturity rather than popularity.
• Require accountability for everyone, including leaders.
III. AVOID PEOPLE WHO REJECT CORRECTION
Proverbs 29:1 (NASB)
"A person often rebuked who becomes obstinate will suddenly be broken beyond remedy."
THEIR SIGNS
• Defensive whenever corrected.
• Always blame others.
• Never admit mistakes.
• Resist accountability.
WHY AVOID THEM?
A teachable spirit grows.
An unteachable spirit eventually destroys itself.
Pride makes restoration difficult.
HOW DO WE AVOID THEM?
• Give biblical correction.
• Pray for restoration.
• If they continually refuse correction, limit their influence.
IV. AVOID PEOPLE WHO SEEK POSITION MORE THAN PURPOSE
3 John 9–10 (NASB)
9 I wrote something to the church; but Diotrephes, who loves to be first among them, does not accept what we say. 10 For this reason, if I come, I will call attention to his deeds which he does, unjustly accusing us with wicked words; and not satisfied with this, he himself does not receive the brethren, either, and he forbids those who desire to do so and puts them out of the church.
Diotrephes loved to be first.
THEIR SIGNS
• Desire recognition more than responsibility.
• Compete instead of cooperate.
• Promote themselves instead of Christ.
• Cannot celebrate another leader's success.
WHY AVOID THEM?
Self-promotion eventually becomes ministry corruption.
A platform without humility becomes an idol.
HOW DO WE AVOID THEM?
• Develop servant leaders.
• Reward humility.
• Keep Christ at the center, not personalities.
V. AVOID PEOPLE WHO CONTINUALLY LIVE IN UNREPENTANT SIN
1 Corinthians 5:11 (NASB)
11 But actually, I wrote to you not to associate with any so-called brother if he is an immoral person, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or a swindler—not even to eat with such a one.
Paul instructs believers not to associate closely with someone who claims to be a believer while persisting in open, unrepentant sin.
THEIR SIGNS
• Justify sinful lifestyles.
• Reject biblical standards.
• Refuse repentance.
• Influence others toward compromise.
WHY AVOID THEM?
Sin tolerated eventually becomes sin celebrated.
What leadership ignores, people often imitate.
HOW DO WE AVOID THEM?
• Practice loving biblical discipline.
• Call people to repentance.
• Restore the repentant.
• Remove influence from the unrepentant when necessary.
VI. AVOID FALSE TEACHERS WHO DISTORT THE GOSPEL
Galatians 1:8–9 (NASB)
8 But even if we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to what we have preached to you, he is to be accursed! 9 As we have said before, so I say again now, if any man is preaching to you a gospel contrary to what you received, he is to be accursed!
Paul gives one of the strongest warnings in Scripture against anyone preaching another gospel.
THEIR SIGNS
• Twist Scripture.
• Add human traditions above God's Word.
• Preach what people want to hear instead of what they need to hear.
• Replace repentance with self-improvement.
Why Avoid Them?
Wrong doctrine produces wrong living.
A poisoned well cannot produce healthy water.
HOW DO WE AVOID THEM?
• Know Scripture deeply.
• Test every teaching.
• Train the church in sound doctrine.
• Never compromise biblical truth for popularity.
PRACTICAL PRINCIPLES FOR EVERY PASTOR AND LEADER
1. Love everyone, but do not trust everyone.
2. Forgive quickly, but appoint leaders carefully.
3. Be gracious without becoming gullible.
4. Protect unity without compromising truth.
5. Restore the repentant, but guard the flock from persistent harm.
CONCLUSION
Being Christlike does not mean lacking discernment.
Jesus welcomed sinners, but He confronted hypocrites.
Paul planted churches, yet he warned believers about dangerous people.
A shepherd who refuses to identify wolves is not protecting the sheep.
As pastors and leaders, we are called not only to feed the flock but also to guard it.
Avoiding certain people is not an act of hatred—it is an act of stewardship.
When we exercise biblical discernment with humility, love, and courage, we protect the church, preserve the unity of the body, and honor the Chief Shepherd, Jesus Christ.
FINAL CHALLENGE
Ask yourself:
• Am I surrounding myself with people who strengthen the ministry or weaken it?
• Am I courageous enough to confront what threatens the flock?
• Am I also guarding my own heart so that I never become the kind of person Scripture warns others to avoid?
A healthy church is built not only by choosing the right mission, but also by wisely discerning the right companions in ministry.
