7 May 2008
Wormtongue
Remember this guy?
He’s the one in the back.
He was a pretty unique idea for a character in J.R. Tolkien’s “The Two Towers.” So unique, in fact, that most of us assume he’s one of a kind.
Not so. It seems every church has a few, every family has at least one and wherever there is a group of almost any kind, a ‘Wormtongue’ is sure to be lurking nearby.
Believe it or not, the Bible even talks about this reckless, disunifying and twisted individual.
A lot.
What do they do? I mean, what’s their MO? Are they easy to spot? Difficult to deal with? You’re freaking me out, pastor Rob. I think I might know one! What if I am one? AAAAAaaaauuuggghhhh!
Calm down, the answer to your questions are, ‘Bad things, slander and sugary lies, most of the time, and ‘it depends.’
Oops, that might be a little too short of a summary. I’ll explain what they do and then tell you why you often have to separate yourself from such people in order to move forward in your Christian walk.
First, what sort of “bad things” to they do?
- Divide families
- Split churches
- Break up marriages
- End friendships
- Promote violence and hatred and, the worst thing of all…
- Cause you to waste your life.
The master of a Wormtongue is never the Lord. That leaves few options. But because the options are few (one) these spiritual flesh eating monsters are pretty easy to spot:
But rather than taking my word for it, let me allow the Bible to tell you:
The religious Wormtongue is spoken of here: For you are the children of your father the devil, and you love to do the evil things he does. He was a murderer from the beginning. He has always hated the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, it is consistent with his character; for he is a liar and the father of lies. John 8:44 Jesus was talking to the religious leaders of His day here.
The Mystic Wormtongue is referred to several times here: 6They traveled through the whole island until they came to Paphos. There they met a Jewish sorcerer and false prophet named Bar-Jesus, 7who was an attendant of the proconsul, Sergius Paulus. The proconsul, an intelligent man, sent for Barnabas and Saul because he wanted to hear the word of God. 8But Elymas the sorcerer (for that is what his name means) opposed them and tried to turn the proconsul from the faith. 9Then Saul, who was also called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked straight at Elymas and said, 10“You are a child of the devil and an enemy of everything that is right! You are full of all kinds of deceit and trickery. Will you never stop perverting the right ways of the Lord? 11Now the hand of the Lord is against you. You are going to be blind, and for a time you will be unable to see the light of the sun.”
Immediately mist and darkness came over him, and he groped about, seeking someone to lead him by the hand. 12When the proconsul saw what had happened, he believed, for he was amazed at the teaching about the Lord. Acts 13:6–12
The counterfeit Wormtongue here: I know that after I am gone, others will come like fierce wolves to attack you. Acts 20:29 and here, in verses 28–30,
28Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers.[a] Be shepherds of the church of God,[b] which he bought with his own blood. 29I know that after I leave, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock. 30Even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples after them.
There are a few more, the Reckless Wormtongue, the Sniper Wormtongue, the Bull in a China Shop Wormtongue, the False Friend Wormtongue, the Group Forming Wormtongue, the Jealous Wormtongue, the Envious Wormtongue, the Infiltrating Wormtongue and more, but I wouldn’t waste your time trying to learn about these. Instead, concentrate on following the True Shepherd and He will teach you how to spot these Cancerous Canines in the blink of an eye.
Once that happens, what do we do next, pastor?
You deal with it. Immediately and decisively. Wolves eat sheep. They cannot live in harmony. I’ve never seen a wolf that was a vegetarian. Sooner or later, they will devour someone (or several someone’s). Don’t let that happen. When they show their true colors, act immediately. Here’s the order;
Warn a divisive person once, and then warn him a second time. After that, have nothing to do with him. Titus 3:10
One word of caution, confirm your suspicions with trusted, godly people. Many believers today use scriptures like this in order to get rid of people who are actually speaking truth. That’s a misuse of God’s Word that is all too common. That’s why you need godly council.
But seek it quick. While you’re waiting, Wormtongue (the wolf) is hunting.
4 Comments currently posted.
tim says:
Christine says:
Rob,
This part of the bible I have always stuggled with. I have friends,( I guess I can call them that), even family that sometimes do some nasty things to me. I seek God and my church family.
I pray, sometime distance myself, over the years have changed my relationship with them somewhat.
The last part of Titus 3:10, then have nothing to do with them. When is it ever the right time? We as Christ follwers are taught to help the lost. Hard to give up.
Rob says:
Christine,
I read your comment and I agree, it’s difficult. On this earth we all want things to work out and get along, but sometimes divisive people are not even able to stop their destructive behavior. All that remains after the warnings that Paul refers to in the passage is to move on and give them over to God.
I’ve had to do this in my own life as we ll have and the reason God tells us to do this is b/c we all have a mission to accomplish for Him and it is these very (wicked) people who Satan uses to get us ‘off mission.’
Don’t let him do this. Just make sure that you are not in the wrong and that you have learned what God wants you to learn (yes, you can even learn from your enemies — especially from your enemies). Then, get back in the game and move on without them. If they see their sin and repent, you have won a great victory in the Lord and helped set someone back on the right path. If they do not see their sin and continue in their wicked ways, then all you will do by striving with them is see yourself sucked down into the whirlpool of a wasted life right along with them.
BTW, this is really not referring to non-Christians. This is referring to Christians who ought to no better and since they are not acting right even when they know in their heart that what they are doing is wrong, think of this as God’s own little “time out” for His children.
Hope this helps!
Rob
K Hinkle says:
Sometimes I find if I’m clear with these wormtongues what my boundaries are, they will either respect them and adjust and even learn from me- sometimes turning closer to the Lord, or they will find other people to mess with who will accept their horrible behavior. Either way, I’m less stressed with the individual, and even if the result isn’t what I hoped for, the increased distance helps me feel warmer towards the person, which helps as I continue praying for them.
I would love to have the whole story about the soldier to share with friends. Thanks.