08/24/2026
WHEN THE SHEEP START FIGHTING FOR THE SHEPHERD…
Something has been stirring in my spirit that I believe the Body of Christ—all of us—need to prayerfully examine.
What happens when leadership is confronted and the immediate response of the sheep is to attack the one bringing the concern?
I thought shepherds were called to protect the sheep.
Yet somewhere along the way, in some spaces, we have created cultures where the sheep feel responsible for protecting the shepherd—sometimes at the expense of truth, accountability, righteousness, and even other sheep.
Let me be clear: false accusations are real. Scripture does not teach us to receive accusations against leadership carelessly. Honor matters. Biblical order matters.
But honor does not mean immunity from correction.
Paul confronted Peter. Scripture provides instructions for addressing sin among elders. Leadership does not remove accountability—it actually increases responsibility.
Here is what we ALL need to examine:
Have we become so committed to protecting leadership that we can no longer discern when God may be confronting leadership?
Because rebellion doesn't always look like somebody standing against the leader.
Sometimes rebellion may be a whole house standing against God's correction because we have mistaken loyalty to a person for loyalty to God.
Whew.
And perhaps an even harder question is:
Who taught the sheep to fight?
Was it explicitly taught—or was it learned through culture?
What happens to people who ask legitimate questions?
What happens to people who raise concerns?Are they heard and the matter examined—or are they immediately labeled rebellious, bitter, jealous, dishonorable, or "against the man/woman of God"?
Jesus gives us something powerful to consider.
When Peter pulled out his sword trying to defend Jesus, Jesus essentially told him:
Put your sword away.
Peter thought he was protecting his Leader.
But Jesus didn't need Peter attacking people on His behalf.
Body of Christ, this deserves reflection.
We must be able to honor leadership without idolizing leadership.
We must be able to protect against false accusations without protecting wrongdoing.
We must be able to discern rebellion without calling every confrontation rebellion.
And we must remain humble enough to recognize God's correction—even when it comes to someone we deeply love, respect, follow, or honor.
A healthy house cannot be a house where leadership is untouchable.
The question is not merely, "Who confronted the shepherd?"
The question must also be:
"Lord, is there truth in what is being said?"
May we become a Body where truth can enter the room—no matter whom it corrects.
Selah. 🔥
