Faith Full Stop

Christ is coming back for a spotless, wrinkle-free bride (Church) (Ephesians 5:27). As we continue to see various exposures happening across the Body of Christ, we can be assured that this promise is in full motion, and that these exposures will continue for a time. There must be reformation in the Body as a whole before there can be widespread revival. “Spotless” and “wrinkle-free” demands purity and holiness, thereby rooting out every trace of cover up, compromise, and complicity.

In the wake of these exposures, but also despite them, we must be sure to guard our hearts from hurt, pain, deception, and offense (just to name a few) that the enemy will use to try and draw us away from the Lord and His body. In this, we must beware of “Lone Wolf Syndrome.” I believe we are in a time when we are all called by Him to search our hearts with Him and ensure we are not a lone wolf and to guard against becoming a lone wolf.

What is “Lone Wolf Syndrome?”

To be clear, the term “lone wolf syndrome” is not in the Bible. Nor is it a clinical diagnosis. It is real, though. “Lone Wolf Syndrome,” as it is coined colloquially, is a behavioral pattern marked by several heart postures. It’s when a person:

• Operates independently by default
• Avoids reliance on others (even healthy dependence for accountability)
• Interprets vulnerability as danger
• Confuses strength with self-sufficiency
• Becomes generally suspicious of leadership, authority, community

It often sounds like:

• “I don’t need anyone.”
• “People just slow things down or mess things up.”
• “I trust God, not people.”
• “Every time I depend on someone, I get hurt.”

At first, it can look like maturity, discernment, or strength. Over time, though, it becomes disconnection disguised as wisdom. It is a self-protective posture that results in isolation, and that, friends, is one of the hallmarks of a Jezebellic influence. From the pulpit to the pews, none of us are immune, and it behooves us to be aware of this tactic.

Causes of Lone Wolf Syndrome

Here are some reasons we can see Lone Wolf Syndrome develop:

• Betrayal by trusted people
• Chronic disappointment in leadership or community
• Spiritual abuse or hypocrisy
• Repeated emotional neglect
• Having to grow up “too strong” too early

These are just examples and not an exhaustive list. Our life experiences are as unique as we each are, and there could be many more to add.

I think it’s important to state that withdrawal and seeking the Lord can be a common and reasonable first response to pain for the purposes of prayer, reflection, and processing whatever happened. This does not make us lone wolves. This is healthy and one of the many benefits of our relationship with Him. It allows us to receive His love, comfort, healing, guidance, and wisdom. However, there is risk for withdrawal to become something different and darker if we’re not careful.  

Why is this dangerous?

There may become a fine line that gets crossed between withdrawal / solitude and isolation. Solitude is what was described above – chosen, restorative, God-seeking and God-centered. Isolation, on the other hand, is a defensive reaction that is both fear-based and self-centered. Lone Wolf Syndrome causes us to confuse the two.

Covenant, Covering, Community, Connection

In this time where God is revealing hidden things in the Body (“wolves in sheep’s clothing,” as some might say), there may be a very real temptation within us to isolate, pull away, walk away, lose faith, etc. These symptoms should be our first sign that there is something in our hearts that needs to be confronted and dealt with. If unaddressed, this leaves the door open for a lone wolf influence.

And this is where I feel a warning from the Lord originates. We can’t allow the actions of the wolves (real, perceived, alleged) to draw us into lone wolf syndrome. We must guard our hearts against this in this season (Proverbs 4:23, Philippians 4:7). Isolation is contrary to the Father’s design for His Body. It is essentially and ultimately a divisive tactic, and the enemy knows a house divided against itself cannot stand (Mark 3:25). As a Body, we are meant to run in a pack and for good reason. Lone wolves are easier to deceive, discourage, and exhaust. This is why as a Body, we are called to covenant, covering, community, and connection, and we must remain committed to these as Holy Spirit leads us.

Let’s consider some quintessential verses that underpin each of these ideas. These verses can also be a start (not an exhaustive list) to prayerfully consider and evaluate us, and our kingdom relationships, coverings, communities, and connections. (All verses from the NLT version.)

• Covenant secures belonging with God and God-ordained relationships.
  • Jeremiah 31:33 – ³³ “But this is the new covenant I will make with the people of Israel after those days,” says the Lord. “I will put my instructions deep within them, and I will write them on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people.” (This covenant was extended to the Gentiles through Jesus in the New Testament.)

• Covering offers Christ’s love, and healthy guidance, support, and oversight, which we are called to honor both as a covering and one covered.
  • 1 Peter 5:2-3 – ² Care for the flock that God has entrusted to you. Watch over it willingly, not grudgingly—not for what you will get out of it, but because you are eager to serve God. ³ Don’t lord it over the people assigned to your care, but lead them by your own good example.
  • Hebrews 13:17 – ¹⁷ Obey your spiritual leaders, and do what they say. Their work is to watch over your souls, and they are accountable to God. Give them reason to do this with joy and not with sorrow. That would certainly not be for your benefit.

• Community surrounds believers with a support system.
  • Hebrews 10:24-25 – ²⁴ Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. ²⁵ And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.
  • 1 Corinthians 1:3-4 – ³ All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. ⁴ He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us.
  • Galatians 6:2 – ² Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ.

• Connection fosters relationships and fellowship and creates safe places and spaces for healing.
  • James 5:16 – ¹⁶ Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.
  • Romans 12:15 – ¹⁵ Be happy with those who are happy, and weep with those who weep.

I pray this helps someone as it did me. Be blessed and check in on your fellow believers!