We would like to think that the body of the church is a safe place; a respite and bastion away from the warfare of Satan in the world. Unfortunately, this is not the case. Peter tells us that Satan is like a roaring lion seeking who he can destroy. What better place than within the body of the church. The famous bank robber, Willie Sutton, when asked asked why did he rob banks, he simply replied "because that is where the money is." Similarly, why wouldn't we expect Satan to show up and prowl at the church to find unsuspecting sheep.
Recognizing the wolves can be difficult. We can put the proper procedures in place, interview and observe the teachers, screen those that work with the children, and still find that one slipped under the gate and caused harm to one of the sheep. Accountability is key, while, as Dr. Laniak noted, also "resisting the temptation to assume all is well," and "we can't simply roll over and pretend they'll go away."
This is an age of exposure. Exposure to the internet. Exposure to media. Exposure to song lyrics. Church "participants" can make vital contact with children and adults and infiltrate the barrier that the shepherd believes is secure. Facebook, Twitter, and the like are wonderful tools in the hands of those well-intentioned members, but those with a separate agenda are dangerous.
As Jesus taught, and Dr. Laniak re-emphasized, we must teach and preach as "sheep among wolves...combining a dove-like innocence with serpernt-like shrewdness." We should have the Bible as our guide, but the paper as a resource to understand what is going on in the world so that we can alert the sheep. We must continually strive to understand the ways of the wolf, so that we can effectively protect the sheep.
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