READ: 3 John 9-12
“A false witness who utters lies, And one who spreads strife among brothers.” – Proverbs 6:19, NASB
Do not follow people like Diotrephes who exalt themselves against apostles and spiritual leaders.
“I wrote unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not. Wherefore, if I come, I will remember his deeds which he doeth, prating against us with malicious words: and not content therewith, neither doth he himself receive the brethren, and forbiddeth them that would, and casteth them out of the church. Beloved, follow not that which is evil, but that which is good. He that doeth good is of God: but he that doeth evil hath not seen God” (3 John 1:9-11).
Satan was the first person to lift himself up against authority. The authority he lifted himself up against was God. Everyone who exalts himself against existing authority is following Satan. This is why John advised the church: “Do not follow that which is evil.”
How often are spiritual leaders attacked and prevented from doing their work? Diotrephes is the quintessential opposition to spiritual authority.
Entire churches can gang up against their pastor and fight him. You can hardly find a person in this world who has not criticized one pastor or another. But you must not follow that which is evil!