No to the Spirit Of Diotrephes
(3 John 9-10)
I wrote to the church, but Diotrephes, who loves to be first, will not welcome us. 10 So when I come, I will call attention to what he is doing, spreading malicious nonsense about us. Not satisfied with that, he even refuses to welcome other believers. He also stops those who want to do so and puts them out of the church.
INTRODUCTION
In our study of Third John, we have noticed the commendable spirit found in Gaius… The truth was in him - 3Jn 3, he walked in the truth - 3Jn 3-4, and he demonstrated love and hospitality towards the brethren and for strangers - 3Jn 5-6.
Unfortunately, another man mentioned in this letter did not possess the spirit of Gaius… His name was Diotrephes, John felt it necessary to relate what Diotrephes had done, and what he (John) would have to do in response - 3Jn 9-10.
While there are many people today who possess the spirit of Gaius, and bless the Lord's church accordingly, it is not uncommon for "The Spirit Of Diotrephes"... to be found in some churches and to tear apart the love and unity that ought to prevail in every congregation.
That we might be on guard against "The Spirit Of Diotrephes", in this lesson we shall... identify exactly what characterized the spirit of Diotrephes and consider how it was so contrary to the principles taught by our Lord and His apostles.
[We begin, then, by noticing that "The Spirit Of Diotrephes" was one of...]
I. DESIRING TO BE FIRST (9a)
A. IN THE CASE OF DIOTREPHES
John wrote that he "loves to have the preeminence". The word "preeminence" in the Greek is "philoproteuo" {fil-op-rote-yoo'-o}. It means to be fond of being first i.e., ambitious of distinction; love to have the preeminence. It was his love of being first (a sin in itself) that led to other sins that he committed. Unfortunately, Diotrephes failed to consider that "sin" is spelled with a capital "I" (i.e., "self" is at the root of all sin).
B. THE TEACHING OF THE SCRIPTURES
When the mother of James and John expressed a desire for her sons to be given preeminence, Jesus taught the principle of humility and service - Mt 20:20-28. He did so again as he spoke out against the scribes and Pharisees - Mt 23:6-12. Paul taught that in matters of honor we should give preference to one another - Ro 12:10. Indeed, we must not have the sort of selfish ambition found in Diotrephes, but the humble servitude found in the mind of Christ - cf. Php 2:2-8. Whereas "sin" is spelled with a capital "I", the cross is an "I" that has been crossed out! (i.e., denying "self" is a cardinal principle of Christianity).
C. HOW ABOUT TODAY?
We live in the "me generation" where the spirit of Diotrephes reigns supreme. It should not surprise us, when the church is so often influenced by the world, to hear people say: "But I want...", "But I think..." Always remember that there is no room in the kingdom for the "me first" mentality; where it exists, more sins and problems are bound to follow.
[We see that to be the case as we notice that "The Spirit Of Diotrephes" was also one of...]
II. REJECTING LEADERSHIP AUTHORITY (9b)
A. IN THE CASE OF DIOTREPHES
John writes simply: "[he] does not receive us". It may seem incredible that one would refuse to accept and submit to… The disciple whom Jesus loved! An apostle of our Lord Jesus Christ! But because of his love to be first, there was no room in Diotrephes' heart for someone over him in matters of submitting to leadership authority.
B. THE TEACHING OF THE SCRIPTURES
It is important that we appreciate the proper chain of authority in the kingdom… As Creator, God inherently has all authority. However, the Father has delegated all authority to His Son - Mt 28:18; Ep 1:20-22. Jesus in turn has delegated authority to His apostles - Jn 13:20. He sent the Holy Spirit to assist them, and guide them into all the truth - Jn 14:26; 16:12-13. Thus they could speak and write with the authority of God behind them - cf. 1Co 14:37; 1Th 2:13. This is why we find that the early church "continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine..." - Ac 2:42.
C. HOW ABOUT TODAY?
The spirit of Diotrephes appears to reign unchecked in some believers who reject church leadership authority. The spirit of Diotrephes reigns supreme in the lives of those professing Christians who reject the apostles' call for holy and sanctified living.... So they can choose their own sexual preference and lifestyle. So they can put their own personal interests first, before the kingdom of God.
[Yes, living in a self-centered society such as ours, it is not uncommon to find the spirit of Diotrephes present in so many peoples' lives.
When it is found in the lives of Christians, things can get ugly rather quickly. As we see in our text, "The Spirit Of Diotrephes" can manifest itself in Christians by...]
III. SPEAKING EVIL OF BRETHREN (10a)
A. IN THE CASE OF DIOTREPHES
John relates that Diotrephes was guilty of "prating against us with malicious words". The word "prating" in the Greek is phluareo {floo-ar-eh'-o}... It means to be a babbler or trifler. By implication it means to berate idly or mischievously. The word "malicious" is poneros {pon-ay-ros'} and means "hurtful, evil". Diotrephes gave little concern, then, about how he spoke with evil and hurtful words concerning his brethren.
B. THE TEACHING OF THE SCRIPTURES
We will be judged for the idle words that we use - Mt 12:36-37. We are commanded not to speak evil of one another - Jm 4:11-12. To do so is to speak evil of the law of God!. To do so is to set ourselves up as judges. While it may be necessary at times to "rebuke" our brethren (cf. 2Ti 4:2)... We are given the proper tools (i.e., the Scriptures themselves) - 2Ti 3:16. We are instructed how to approach those in error - 2Ti 2:24-26; Ga 6:1.
C. HOW ABOUT TODAY?
Does not the spirit of Diotrephes manifest itself when Christians engage in malicious gossip? Does not the spirit of Diotrephes reign when overzealous and self-appointed "guardians of the faith" lambaste their brethren with whom they differ? Indeed, it is often the desire for preeminence that prompts Christians to reject apostolic teachings concerning brotherly relations and to engage in malicious prating.
[The use of malicious words are not the only weapons used by those possessed by the spirit of Diotrephes, however.
If in their love for preeminence they have actually gained positions of influence, it is not unusual to see "The Spirit Of Diotrephes manifested in...]
IV. ABUSING CHURCH DISCIPLINE (10b)
A. IN THE CASE OF DIOTREPHES
Not content with using prating with malicious words, Diotrephes is described as one who... "does not receive the brethren". "forbids those who wish to, putting them out of the church". In two ways, then, he was abusing church discipline... First is by refusing to associate with those worthy of association. Second, is by using it as a weapon to manipulate others to do what he wanted.
B. THE TEACHING OF THE SCRIPTURES
Jesus taught there might be times when church discipline is necessary - Mt 18:15-17. Paul described such a time on two occasions, and gave instructions for carrying it out. When a man was living with his father's wife - 1Co 5:1-13. When Christians refused to work - 2Th 3:6-15. So there are times when we must "put away from yourselves that wicked person". But there is also the possibility of abusing this method of church discipline, as in the case of Diotrephes.
C. HOW ABOUT TODAY?
We see that church discipline could be abused back then, which means that it can also be abused today. This is not to be an excuse to never exercise church discipline, but to do so carefully. Just because another church has carried it out against someone does not mean they did so properly... It may have been prompted as part of a power play by a "Diotrephes".
CONCLUSION:
"The Spirit Of Diotrephes" can be summarized as one of desiring preeminence. Rejecting leadership authority. Speaking evil of brethren, and Abusing church discipline.
One must not have all four of these to be guilty of sin... Any one is an abomination before God! Anyone can destroy brotherly relations! May John's description of "The Spirit Of Diotrephes" serve as a warning for us!
