In 1871, an American named Heinrich Schliemann began excavating an ancient city in Turkey. To the amazement of many, this retired businessman had discovered the lost city of Troy. Today, you can still see the ruins of its towers and walls, which were 16 feet thick. According to Homer’s Illiad, the Greeks besieged Troy for ten years without success. After the death of the warrior Achilles, many wanted to give up the fight. However, the King of Ithaca came up with a plan to get the Greek army into the city of Troy. He built an immense wooden horse. He had his warriors hide inside the wooden horse. After leaving the horse in front of the gates of Troy, the Greek army sailed away. The Trojans, thinking the Greeks had given up and had left the horse as a gift, brought it inside the gates. That night while the Trojans were sleeping, the Greek ships quietly returned. The soldiers in the horse slipped out and opened the city gates. The Greek army quietly entered the city and started fires throughout. The Trojans awoke to find their city engulfed in flames. As they tried to flee, they were killed by the awaiting Greeks. The story about this Trojan horse has come to represent the subversion of anything from within. This is exactly what is happening in the Lord’s church today!
Firstly, there is the Trojan horse of indifference. Christianity in many places has simply become a “social club” experience. A lack of involvement in many congregations proves this to be true. I know of some congregations that simply want to “hire” the preacher to perform the “tasks” of the local congregation (bulletin, evangelizing, mowing and preparing the Lord’s Supper). In fact, in many cases if the preacher does not do these things, he may be fired or at the very least be thought of as lazy. Yet, this was never God’s design for the local church! Everyone has a part to fulfill (Ephesians 4:11-16; 1 Corinthians 12:12-31). The church at Laodicea was guilty of indifference, and God demanded them to repent (Revelation 3:15-16). Indifference is an enemy that destroys us from within!
Secondly, there is the Trojan horse of ignorance. I am fearful for the church of this century regarding her Bible knowledge! Congregations are allowing unqualified elders to rule, soft preachers to preach and lazy deacons to remain. In fact, in far too many places much of the congregation does not even know what elders are to do; sometimes elders themselves fail to know and practice their tasks. I remember on one occasion studying with a new convert regarding the work of elders. One of the elders of the local congregation was present. When the study was completed, he said to me, “I had no idea that is what this work entailed!” That is the epitome of Bible ignorance! Furthermore, this particular man is not alone. Those in Hosea’s day were being destroyed for their lack of knowledge (Hosea 4:6). I am told that at one time members of the church were known by denominational people as “Bible toting, Bible quoting people.” Sadly, I think we have lost that reputation. Ignorance is an enemy that destroys from within!
Thirdly, there is the Trojan horse of interruptions. Our world has made us so distracted and busy that few have time for spiritual things. Soccer, football, chorus and band all have parents and children running in every direction. As a result, our children are growing up without a steady diet of God’s Word. Is it any wonder that many of our young people leave the Lord’s church and go the way of denominationalism? Diligent effort must be given as we “sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up” (Deuteronomy 6:7b) to teach our young people the truth. Bible classes must be filled with great material and even greater teachers! We cannot feed our kids false denominational material and expect them to be strong in the truth. We must stop being so busy with trivial things and begin setting priorities for spiritual endeavors. Interruptions are an enemy that destroys from within!
While this may not be true of every congregation, it is true of many. Many are in decline, not just numerically, but more importantly spiritually! When indifference, ignorance and interruptions are cleared out, then can we get back to the greatest work in the world. The Lord’s church is far too precious to allow the enemy to conquer us from within. Onward Christian soldiers!
