5 Greatest Threats to the Church Today
The Church today is consistently facing both external and internal threats. The Bible reminds us that we are consistently in a spiritual war; we do not fight against flesh and blood but against demonic and satanic forces that seek to destroy the things of God (Ephesians 6:12).
The enemies of God want to see Christianity fail and they will use any technique and strategy to distort and blind people from accepting the true Gospel and receiving Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.
2 Corinthians 4:4 says: The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.
2 Corinthians 2:11 also reminds us that we must not be ignorant of the devil’s schemes or strategies.
Below are 5 key threats to the Church today, both external and internal:
1. Church as a Business
Today in the Church we can observe that Christianity has been commercialized and consumerized in several ways. In many churches the members have been turned into customers and the church buildings have become a market place. Products such as anointed water, anointing oil, church bracelets and so forth are marketed and sold with the false promise that buying such products will bring the favor of God.
Churches now function like profit making companies. Church structure and models are driven by money and corporate philosophies instead of spiritual fruit (Galatians 5:22-23). Mega-church models are driven by growth metrics such as: attendance, monetary giving, marketing strategy, merchandising and the like.
Churches have become seeker friendly because they want huge numbers. Having a large or growing membership following means more money will be received via giving and tithing from the members. Therefore being a seeker friendly church results in the Gospel being compromised and the hard truths of Scripture and the Gospel being avoided so that members are not offended. So the goal of running church as a business becomes to gain more followers and earn their money at any cost.
When the church is run as a business, it also results in twisting of Scriptures and false doctrines such as seed-faith teachings, word of faith teachings and the prosperity gospel. However, the Bible clearly teaches that the miracles of God are not for sale; the true Gospel cannot be sold; salvation is a free gift from God and we cannot buy the favor of God.
In the Bible Jesus said that we cannot serve both God and mammon at the same time, because either we will be loyal to one and hate the other (Matthew 6:24). So in the Bible mammon or money is likened to a false idol that competes with God for our attention and loyalty.
According to Christ, the real business of the Church is not money, but it must be the winning of souls into the Kingdom of God. The real business of the Church is the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20). The focus of the Church should be to store treasures in heaven and not on earth (Matthew 6:19-21). Jesus Christ is not a product to make money from. Real church focus is to glorify Jesus Christ and make Him known through the preaching of the Gospel.
When Church becomes a business, it seizes to become God’s spiritual and organic entity. It becomes a man-made entity whose true idol is a false idol called mammon. Therefore money becomes the focus and not God; money becomes the focus and not the people; money becomes the focus and not the true Gospel; money becomes the focus and not Biblical doctrine and Christianity.
2. The Rise of False Teachers
The devil doesn’t just attack the Church from the outside; he has also infiltrated many churches and religious groups, working from within to sow confusion and division through false teachings and compromised leaders. False teachers are subtly corrupting the flock and undermining the true Gospel.
In 2 Peter 2:1-3, Peter warns and writes the following regarding the detrimental impact of false teachers: But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them — bringing swift destruction on themselves. 2 Many will follow their shameful ways and will bring the way of truth into disrepute. 3 In their greed these teachers will exploit you with stories they have made up. Their condemnation has long been hanging over them, and their destruction has not been sleeping.
So the negative influence of false teachers must not be underestimated because false teachers lead people to spiritual destruction or eternal punishment. Following a false teacher is just like the blind leading the blind; Jesus says both fall into the pit (Matthew 15:14).
Jesus also warns that many false prophets will command large followings and that many people will be deceived. For example, in Matthew 24:11 Jesus says “And many false prophets will appear and deceive many people.”
We see it today in our world that many of the preachers who have the largest followings are actually false prophets and false miracle workers. Many of these false teachers are charlatans who only care about fleecing money from their followers. They do not care for the flock, but they are ravenous wolves who seek their own personal gain (Matthew 7:15).
Paul was also passionate about warning people to beware of false teachers. In Acts 20:29-30 Paul says “I know that after I leave, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock. 30 Even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples after them. 31 So be on your guard! Remember that for three years I never stopped warning each of you night and day with tears.”
False teachers are a dangerous threat to the Church because they cause division; they lead multitudes astray and ultimately false teachers potentially lead many people to hell because of their false doctrines.
3. The Influence of False Ideologies
Today, instead of the Church shaping the world with Scripture, we see a reversal: the Church is being influenced by the world’s philosophies and doctrines, rather than being a beacon of Biblical truth to the world.
In our modern times, we see Biblical Christianity being mixed and fused with materialism, witchcraft, politics, pagan mysticism and many other worldly ideologies. For example, prosperity gospel, universalism, progressive theology, law of attraction, and New Age teachings have subtly crept into the Church. The acceptance and practice of false doctrines results in idolatry and disobedience to Scripture.
1 Timothy 4:1 NLT says: Now the Holy Spirit tells us clearly that in the last times some will turn away from the true faith; they will follow deceptive spirits and teachings that come from demons.
Colossians 2:8 reads: See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ.
For example, today, despite the clarity of the Scriptures in relation to homosexuality and same-sex marriage, we see churches accepting LGBTQ ideology by ordaining LGBTQ priests and pastors. So the church is being conformed to the world’s patterns, rather than transforming the world with the power of God’s word.
Romans 12:2 says: Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is — his good, pleasing and perfect will.
The acceptance of false doctrines within the Church also results in confusion, deception, and departure from the true Gospel. Ultimately one of the main objectives of the Church is to proclaim the true Gospel because it is the Gospel of Jesus Christ which leads people to eternal salvation (Romans 1:1-17). Therefore God prohibits us from teaching anything that is contrary to the true Gospel of Christ. If the church teaches or believes in any doctrine that is considered to be a false gospel, then we are in rebellion to the will of God.
Galatians 1:6-9 says: I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you by the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— 7 which is really no gospel at all. Evidently some people are throwing you into confusion and are trying to pervert the gospel of Christ. 8 But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let him be eternally condemned! 9 As we have already said, so now I say again: If anybody is preaching to you a gospel other than what you accepted, let him be eternally condemned!
False doctrines distort the nature and character of God. Many false philosophies and ideologies are usually inspired by demons and therefore lead to people to hell (1 Timothy 4:1). This is why the Church should beware of the dangers of false teachings.
4. Biblical Illiteracy
There is a growing problem of Biblical illiteracy within the Christian community and a lack of Biblical knowledge and understanding can have a detrimental impact on the Church.
According to Lifeway Research 57% of Protestant churchgoers say they find it challenging to make sense of the Bible when they read it on their own.
Only 19% of Protestant churchgoers report reading or studying the Bible outside of church every day. Meanwhile only 18% says they “rarely or never” engage the Bible outside of worship.
According to American Bible Society on the State of the Bible 2024, the report identifies Gen Z as the generation with the lowest Scripture engagement among the generation cohorts.
Biblical illiteracy results in leaving people vulnerable to false teaching. It also diminishes the Church’s ability to defend the Christian faith and boldly stand for Biblical truth.
Biblical illiteracy also leads to hypocrisy, disobedience and a failure to Biblically represent the Christian faith in our daily walk. We are instructed to not only hear the word of God, but we must obey it.
James 1:22 reads: Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.
The Bible is God’s instruction manual for life. The Scriptures reveal the mind of God and His expectations of how we should live in this world. Biblical illiteracy weakens the Church and also results in poor spiritual growth and maturity.
2 Timothy 3:16-17 says: All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17 so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
Therefore, it’s essential for Christians to regularly read and study the Bible in order to know God and become more like Jesus Christ in our daily living.
5. Christian Persecution
The persecution of Christians for their faith has always been an issue threatening the Church. The prophets in the Old Testament, the Christians in the New Testament and the Christians in our modern times are consistently under persecution in various ways.
Christian persecution not only relates to violent actions such as killings or violent assaults, but systematic discrimination against Christians is increasingly becoming prevalent such as denial of rights or harassment.
According to Ecclesia United International, more than 380 million Christians worldwide faced “high levels of persecution and discrimination” in 2024. It is believed that because of underreporting, the actual statistics regarding Christian persecution are likely higher than what is published.
From a Biblical perspective, Christian persecution will certainly increase in the last days before the second coming of Christ. However, the cost of persecution for righteousness sake cannot compare to the eternal rewards that one will receive from God (Matthew 5:10-12).
Christian persecution can result in fear, silence, or compromise instead of bold witness of our faith. Rather than speaking out against deception, false teachers or immorality, the Christians might think of self-preservation as opposed to speaking the truth in love. The fear of persecution also leads to moral compromise and the fear of offending others. However, the Bible says that the true Gospel is an offence or foolishness to those who resist it or those who are perishing (1 Corinthians 1:18).
2 Timothy 3:12 says: In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted
Jesus warned that Christian persecution is inevitable for anyone who desires to follow Him. Therefore the Church must always be prepared to respond to persecution.
1 Peter 4:12-16 says: Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. 13 But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. 14 If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. 15 If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler. 16 However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name.
Christian persecution is a major growing threat to the Church, but God has taught us how to respond to this threat. Christ went through persecution and He is able to help us through the trials.
The Gates of Hell Cannot Prevail Against the True Church
Ultimately it is important to understand that Jesus will not allow His Church to be destroyed or defeated by the enemy. There are many counterfiet religious groups and cults and these are either man-made or created by the devil. But there is also the one true Church which Jesus Himself is building. The one true Church or [ekklesia] is the body of all Christian believers all over the world. Christ’s Church may go through different trials and tribulations, but Jesus is the one who is building His Church (Matthew 16:18) and not man.
The true Church being built by Jesus Christ is not built with bricks, but His Church consists exclusively of born again Christians. It is the true people of God who are the living stones which Christ is building as His Church.
1 Peter 2:5 says: O you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
This is the Church by which Jesus says in Matthew 16:18 that “the gates of hell will not prevail” against.
