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The Diotrephes Syndrome - Part 2

By Christopher Carter

In part one, we briefly examined controllers and their methods of gaining control. Let us now consider some specific examples and the reasoning of these men who come to act as a Diotrephes (3 Jn 9-11).

Preachers have a great work in pointing men to God’s word and in instructing their hearers how to stand upon God’s word (1 Cor 3:5-7). They must rebuke, exhort and stand upon what is right, but they do this by exalting God’s word and not by preaching themselves (2 Cor 4:2, 5-6).  Faithful preachers know that as men they can at times be wrong and would therefore welcome correction by others (Gal 2:11-16). If a man is not careful, pride can enter into his heart and  change his motive from a desire to conform to God’s word to that of seeking personal control of men for his own glory (2 Cor 10:12, 17-18).

Consider the preacher that claims that he alone is the “watchman” spoken of in Ezekiel 33, and thus will have the unique responsibility to sound the alarm in a local congregation. Having this responsibility it is also necessary for him alone to judge the conduct and standing of the brethren. This can only be taught if scripture is taken severely out of context, for each of us has Christ as our watchman, and because of the revealed truth of God through Christ, each of us have the ability to understand that truth and live by it if we want to be heirs of adoption. In fact, we are watchmen of each other! It is not the role of the preacher or any other man to act alone as the church leader and the sole judge, yet, in spite of this truth, this claim will be made to try to gain overall control of a church.

Those who claim this are trying to establish a leadership role where divine authority for such does not exist. Often, elders or strong brethren are not present to guide a church away from such erroneous teaching, so if a church is weak or unwilling to oppose it, the probable result will be a clergy/laity relationship, where the members are kept weak in faith and scriptural knowledge, unsure of their standing with God and dependant on the minister/pastor to tell them what the scriptures say (according to him), and what they should believe. This method is no different than the denominational hierarchies that claim direct lineage to the apostles in order to “establish” their authority over others. The preacher in fact tries to make himself the elder.

To build this case so as to gain control over a church, he may imply or openly state many things about himself and his relationship with God, claiming for example, that he has been established as the leader of the church and provided with scriptural understanding above that of others. He may even claim to be sinless and thus above reproach. His social and economic blessings are “evidence” of his righteousness. If anyone opposes his claims and teachings they are not opposing him, they are opposing God, and acting in a contentious and divisive manner, because we are to be of one mind – that is the mind of the self-appointed leader! He may even label those who oppose his teaching as liars, for they claim sonship with the Father while denying God’s truth as he proclaims it. Skillfully presented, he can convince and bully many into accepting these false claims. A church might even end up thinking it was their decision to accept him as their “leader.”

Another method he will employ is to build a circle of followers. Everyone is a part of the circle at first, but as a few begin to see and oppose the inevitable errors, they quickly find themselves on the outside of the circle, tolerated at best, often shunned, or even driven from the assembly. Fearful of being ostracized, some may compromise the truth because, like many Jews who would have accepted Christ, they fear being driven from the synagogue (Jn 12:42-43). This tactic is the old “divide and conquer,” the pitting of brother against brother. So while claiming authority as the “watchman” tasked with maintaining the spiritual integrity of the church, the minister/pastor is instead dividing it into factions vying for or opposing the control he covets. And above all, whether people submit willingly or not, they will submit.

Consider what is lacking in these approaches. When a Diotrephes is in control, then no real love or mercy is found. Instead men will display false humility, puffed up knowledge, divisiveness, contentiousness, bullying, arrogance, a lack of unity and an unwillingness to esteem others more greatly than oneself. This is the Diotrephes syndrome (3 John 9-10). It is not truth. For what is not truth is false, and cannot be of God. God’s will is not being submitted to when anyone seeks more authority than He has given. When a man grasps for power and control, his deeds go before him as an open shame.

Don’t forget, there was a time when men were not deemed worthy to have access to God’s word. It was written in a language they could not understand, or chained to the pulpit to prevent its study. Any who asked questions were either told off or labeled as heretics. And so, over history’s course, many have been kept drinking at the well of apostasy, unable or unwilling to accept the strong meat of the Word. I am reminded of Paul’s words. “Brethren, these things ought not to be so.”  

 Other Articles by Chris Carter
The Diotrephes Syndrome Part 1
Honor and glory for Ever and Ever