The Devil Works from Inside (The Trojan Horse)

Gal 2:4  And that because of false brethren unawares brought in, who came in privily to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage:

5  To whom we gave place by subjection, no, not for an hour; that the truth of the gospel might continue with you.

6  But of these who seemed to be somewhat, (whatsoever they were, it maketh no matter to me: God accepteth no man’s person:) for they who seemed to be somewhat in conference added nothing to me:

7  But contrariwise, when they saw that the gospel of the uncircumcision was committed unto me, as the gospel of the circumcision was unto Peter;

8  (For he that wrought effectually in Peter to the apostleship of the circumcision, the same was mighty in me toward the Gentiles:)

9  And when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given unto me, they gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship; that we should go unto the heathen, and they unto

Introduction: Story of Trojan Horse

The Trojan horse was a huge hollow wooded horse where a select force of Greeks hid inside. They left the horse as a gift for the Trojans and told them it was an offering to the goddess Athena and then they sailed away.  The Trojans pulled the horse into the city as a victory trophy.  That night the warriors opened the gate and signaled the rest of the army under the cover of darkness to return. They destroyed the city and ended the war.

I.  False brethren teach false doctrine

2 Co 11:26 In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren;

2 Pe 2:1 But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.

II.  False motives

I John 2:18    Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time.

19  They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us.

III. Produce false work

Mt 7:16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?

Mt 7:20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.

IV.  They sow discord, dissension, & disruption

Proverbs 6:16  These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him:

17  A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood,

18  An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief,

19  A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.

 V.  They never build anything, they tear down

Jude 1:18  How that they told you there should be mockers in the last time, who should walk after their own ungodly lusts.

19  These be they who separate themselves, sensual, having not the Spirit.

20  But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost,

21  Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.

22  And of some have compassion, making a difference:

23  And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh.

VI.  Their aim is to disrupt and stop the work of the church

Phil 3:18  (For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ:

19  Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.)

Conclusion:

I Tim 1:2  Unto Timothy, my own son in the faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord.

3  As I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus, when I went into Macedonia, that thou mightest charge some that they teach no other doctrine,

4  Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do.

5   Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned:

6  From which some having swerved have turned aside unto vain jangling;

7  Desiring to be teachers of the law; understanding neither what they say, nor whereof they affirm.