Four Traits of a Church Troublemaker 3 John 10 - Equipped for Battle

John the apostle is known as the apostle of love. He demonstrated and promoted love in truth throughout the church especially after his encounter personally with Jesus Christ. In his book named Third John we have been studying John's words of commendation to a man named Gaius who has been hospitable to itinerant teachers of the gospel. Although Gaius has been accommodating, another arrogant and prideful man named Diotrephes now has the attention of our beloved apostle John. He mentioned him in verse nine of this book, and he continues his thoughts about this church troublemaker today. He wrote in verse ten:

Wherefore, if I come, I will remember his deeds which he does, prating against us with malicious words: and not content therewith, neither does he himself receive the brethren, and forbids them that would, and casts [them] out of the church.

There must have been some communication about Diotrophes' behavior to John. He states, “if I come, I will remember his deeds which he does,” and as we learned yesterday, Diotrephes even rejected John himself. Today John enumerates four traits within Diotrephes to which we should pay particular attention.

First, John says Diotrephes is “prating against us with malicious words.” In other words he was talking idly about them with hurtful words. Talking badly about someone is something we should never do, but are often prone. Perhaps we should pay close attention here.

Secondly, John says Diotrephes was “not content therewith.” Diotrophes was not content with anyone other than himself to have some sort of authority. There are individuals who love to have the preeminence, and having anyone else in charge for even a moment is a threat to their position.

Thirdly, John says of Diotrephes “ neither does he himself receive the brethren”. We have already seen where Diotrephes rejected these traveling preachers, and he was even brazen enough to reject John himself.

Fourthly, John says Diotrephes “forbids them that would, and casts [them] out of the church.” Diotrephes was so adamant about the rejection of these itinerant prophets that if anyone else in the church received them, they were thrown out of the church themselves. Think about the audacity of such an action. If everyone who was in the slightest manner different from Diotrephes like people, soon there would be no one else in the church but Diotrephes.

Arrogance and pride will alienate even the most spiritual of individuals. Diotrephes is an example of out of control trouble-making behavior, and John has given us four reasons to consider within our own lives to be sure the manner in which Diotrephes lived is not our own. Thank goodness John was determined to deal with him.

Next time we will look at what John has to say about why it is important to do good and not follow evil, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow...there is more...

Look for the new devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation” in all major bookstore sites, www.amazon.com ; www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore