In Numbers, chapter sixteen, verse forty-one, the congregation of Israel murmured against Moses and Aaron, claiming that they killed the people of the Lord. When God’s judgment fell on Korah and his allies, the Israelites complained to Moses as if he had brought them judgment. The deception of the people got so bad that they thought the rebels were the most spiritual men among them. God’s people need discernment to ensure that they do not follow leaders who are not from God.
The congregation of Israel, at this point, is not all Israelites. Remember, in Numbers chapter eleven, verse four: there were the non-Israelites who joined the people of Israel during their departure from Egypt. Back In Exodus, chapter twelve, verse thirty-eight, these non-Israelites influenced them to rebel against God’s desire for the presumed pleasures of Egypt. These came out of Egypt with them, having either contracted affinity with them, or such intimacy of conversation that they could not part, or being converts to the Jewish religion. These were not only Egyptians but a mixture of diverse people, having heard or seen the great things done for Israel, who joined them in hopes of sharing the blessings of divine goodness. Fast-forward to the congregation of Israel, which is a mixt-multitude that they adapt to the character of the influencers.
Today, we have situations in churches where deception in the congregation has negative influencers that attempt to persuade others to conflict with their leaders. However, there are cases where they discover corruption around the pulpit. The question is, how would we know “wolves in sheep’s clothing?” Discernment. Each believer must ask God for this spiritual quality available through the Holy Spirit.
There is no other godly way of detecting such evil activity among of congregation within the church. Without the leading of the Holy Spirit operating in the believer, influencers similar to the group in Israel will be able to sway others in turning against their leaders who are spiritually in connection with God. We need to know who is real among us. We also need to know the leaders are genuine by the Holy Spirit.