Matthew 7:15-23 "Beware of false prophets who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves."
16 By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thorn bushes, or figs from thistles? 17 Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.
Wolves disguised as sheep. Ravenous wolves.We might be feeling safe in our home congregation because we don't have any of those in our midst. We might be feeling that we know the scripture well enough that when someone comes and distorts it we will know.
I have been studying this topic because I was once one of many who felt I understood what a wolf in sheeps clothing might look like. I began to dig deeper. Are the wolves spoken of in Matthew 7 just those who might come in obviously with teachings contrary to scripture? Do they just feed false doctrine? Do they perhaps have other motives, other ways to deceive? I've been studying and I think we need to look more closely.
What does a wolf do in the midst of sheep? He tries to hurt them, do damage, eat them up. His nature is one of deceipt so he may walk among the flock freely seeking perhaps the weakest or most vulnerable first. He wants to do damage for his own needs, his own gain. Is a wolf a big obvious monster that always acts mean and destructively so that we can see him/her? Do we immediately see his/her destructive fruits?
2 Corinthians 11:13-15 " For such people are false apostles, deceitful workers, masquerading as apostles of Christ. 14 And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. 15 It is not surprising, then, if his servants also masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will be what their actions deserve."
Satan is beautiful. He is crafty and sneaky. He is a liar. He wants to get you for his own purposes. He will do or say anything to lead you toward him.He wants to mess with you, to show you ways that seem good but are contrary to scripture so you will give up on God, or slowly leave from discouragement. So, are wolves only those folks that speak their own version of scripture in the pulpit so we can all see them, or could they be folks who are in our midst who are living a lie, who hurt others for their own desires? Who go after folks who may be vulnerable or weak or unsuspecting to suit their own needs which ultimately drives away the good, or damages them? Isn't that taking what God has asked of us to live (in scripture) and perverting it to suit their own agendas? Isn't that living; teaching, something that is false and contrary to what God has asked of us?
2 Timothy 4:3 "For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear."
Can you not just hear satan saying, "come on, just do it, after all it isn't a total sin, we are ok". Can't you just hear him pulling you away from what God has said and distorting it for his own end result? He wants you, he uses every method he can to lure you away from what is true and good and godly. He isn't just standing up in the pulpit misquoting scripture. He is that person in the congregation who is living a lie, who is not swayed by the authority of our leaders; our elders, who secretly lives and hurts and destroys those from his own church family to serve his own needs and wants and desires. THOSE are wolves in sheeps clothing. They are dangerous for us and we need to do something about them so they will not eat half the flock before anyone notices!
2 Peter 2:1 " 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."
Even the world knows what a wolf is for our application: "A wolf in sheeps clothing is an idiom of Biblical origin used to describe those playing a role contrary to their real character with whom contact is dangerous, particularly false teachers. Much later the idiom has been applied to zoologists to varying kinds of predatory behavior."
Colossians 2:8 "Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ."
Could this be referring to someone who wants you to do something that, according to the world, may not be wrong, but to God it is? Could this apply to many scenarios? Could it be a man luring a woman to be with him inappropriately...just short of sex? Could it be someone encouraging you to smoke pot because it is legal in this state? and before we get on that, please consider
Galations 5:19-21 "Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: [a]adultery, [b]fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, 21 envy, [c]murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God." That word sorcery is from the original Greek word pharmakia which refers to drugs that change your mind; consciousness, perceptions. Could it be to encourage you to hang out in a bar but maybe not drink much? We are to abstain the very appearance of evil. 1 Thessalonians 5:22. The scenarios could go on, but I believe I've made a point here. These things are designed to serve a human need that could drive you further and further from God...remember we are called not to lean on our own human understanding...Proverbs 3:5-6
We need to find those wolves in sheeps clothing and...Ephesians 5:11 " And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather [a]expose them."
How do we recognize wolves in sheeps clothing? I was reading an excellent article on line that laid it out clearly and with scriptures. Crosswalk.com 5 Ways to Recognize "A Wolf in Sheeps Clothing" by Debbie McDaniel
It starts by making a very clear statement: "Know the real and you will know what is false"
1.WATCH OUT - She quotes Matthew 7:15 again and also 1 Corinthians 16:13 "Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong" We are to live our lives aware. We have God behind us!
2. KNOW THE REAL AND YOU WILL KNOW THE FAKE. - Matthew 7:16 "you will recognize them by their fruits" I must caution you here...we have to start out by watching...remember those who live lives of lies are not always easy to spot at first, but eventually we will know them by their fruits.
3. KNOW GOD'S WORD AND YOU WILL KNOW WHEN IT IS BEING TWISTED AND MANIPULATED. - 2 Corinthians 11:14-15 as was quoted above. This article goes on to say: "sometimes deception may be hidden well, manipulated and cunning, for the Bible makes it clear that even satan disguises himself as light. If we don't know His truth we will never know we are being manipulated. Meditate on God's words. Guard them in your heart. Psalm 119:11 "I have hidden Your word in my heart that I might not sin against You."
4. TRUST THE DISCERNMENT AND WISDOM OF GOD'S SPIRIT LIVING THROUGH YOUR LIFE. - John 16:13 " When the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all the truth." We were warned ahead of time about false prophets Matthew 24:23-25. We need to be prepared, we need to be watching!
5. SURROUND YOURSELF WITH OTHER BELIEVERS YOU KNOW AND TRUST - read
2 Peter 3:3 "Knowing this...scoffers will come in the last days with scoffing, following their own sinful desires." We need fellow Christians we know and trust that they are in the word and following God's plan, not the plans of men, of those who might be among us who are living lies. Use caution who you listen to, who you associate with and believe...KNOW the Word!
Who is charged to take care of the flock against wolves? Our shepherds. Our Elders.
Acts 20:25-31 Paul calls for them to watch over the flock against savage wolves. in reference to seekers to destroy Jude 4 "For certain individuals whose condemnation was written about[a] long ago have secretly slipped in among you. They are ungodly people, who pervert the grace of our God into a license for immorality and deny Jesus Christ our only Sovereign and Lord."
This would indicate that our shepherds need to KNOW each member of their flock so they can discern and watch over us...find any wolves who may have come in among us. They need to know each of us, and need to hear if one comes to them with concerns for another who may be harming those in the flock! This is a heavy responsibility, so we need to help our elders.
These are just some of the thoughts I had concerning wolves in sheeps clothing. I'm sure there is much more, but I hope we are encouraged to get in the word and study for ourselves so that we can be ready to keep our flock safe!
I have been studying this topic because I was once one of many who felt I understood what a wolf in sheeps clothing might look like. I began to dig deeper. Are the wolves spoken of in Matthew 7 just those who might come in obviously with teachings contrary to scripture? Do they just feed false doctrine? Do they perhaps have other motives, other ways to deceive? I've been studying and I think we need to look more closely.
What does a wolf do in the midst of sheep? He tries to hurt them, do damage, eat them up. His nature is one of deceipt so he may walk among the flock freely seeking perhaps the weakest or most vulnerable first. He wants to do damage for his own needs, his own gain. Is a wolf a big obvious monster that always acts mean and destructively so that we can see him/her? Do we immediately see his/her destructive fruits?
2 Corinthians 11:13-15 " For such people are false apostles, deceitful workers, masquerading as apostles of Christ. 14 And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. 15 It is not surprising, then, if his servants also masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will be what their actions deserve."
Satan is beautiful. He is crafty and sneaky. He is a liar. He wants to get you for his own purposes. He will do or say anything to lead you toward him.He wants to mess with you, to show you ways that seem good but are contrary to scripture so you will give up on God, or slowly leave from discouragement. So, are wolves only those folks that speak their own version of scripture in the pulpit so we can all see them, or could they be folks who are in our midst who are living a lie, who hurt others for their own desires? Who go after folks who may be vulnerable or weak or unsuspecting to suit their own needs which ultimately drives away the good, or damages them? Isn't that taking what God has asked of us to live (in scripture) and perverting it to suit their own agendas? Isn't that living; teaching, something that is false and contrary to what God has asked of us?
2 Timothy 4:3 "For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear."
Can you not just hear satan saying, "come on, just do it, after all it isn't a total sin, we are ok". Can't you just hear him pulling you away from what God has said and distorting it for his own end result? He wants you, he uses every method he can to lure you away from what is true and good and godly. He isn't just standing up in the pulpit misquoting scripture. He is that person in the congregation who is living a lie, who is not swayed by the authority of our leaders; our elders, who secretly lives and hurts and destroys those from his own church family to serve his own needs and wants and desires. THOSE are wolves in sheeps clothing. They are dangerous for us and we need to do something about them so they will not eat half the flock before anyone notices!
2 Peter 2:1 " 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."
Even the world knows what a wolf is for our application: "A wolf in sheeps clothing is an idiom of Biblical origin used to describe those playing a role contrary to their real character with whom contact is dangerous, particularly false teachers. Much later the idiom has been applied to zoologists to varying kinds of predatory behavior."
Colossians 2:8 "Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ."
Could this be referring to someone who wants you to do something that, according to the world, may not be wrong, but to God it is? Could this apply to many scenarios? Could it be a man luring a woman to be with him inappropriately...just short of sex? Could it be someone encouraging you to smoke pot because it is legal in this state? and before we get on that, please consider
Galations 5:19-21 "Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: [a]adultery, [b]fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, 21 envy, [c]murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God." That word sorcery is from the original Greek word pharmakia which refers to drugs that change your mind; consciousness, perceptions. Could it be to encourage you to hang out in a bar but maybe not drink much? We are to abstain the very appearance of evil. 1 Thessalonians 5:22. The scenarios could go on, but I believe I've made a point here. These things are designed to serve a human need that could drive you further and further from God...remember we are called not to lean on our own human understanding...Proverbs 3:5-6
We need to find those wolves in sheeps clothing and...Ephesians 5:11 " And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather [a]expose them."
How do we recognize wolves in sheeps clothing? I was reading an excellent article on line that laid it out clearly and with scriptures. Crosswalk.com 5 Ways to Recognize "A Wolf in Sheeps Clothing" by Debbie McDaniel
It starts by making a very clear statement: "Know the real and you will know what is false"
1.WATCH OUT - She quotes Matthew 7:15 again and also 1 Corinthians 16:13 "Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong" We are to live our lives aware. We have God behind us!
2. KNOW THE REAL AND YOU WILL KNOW THE FAKE. - Matthew 7:16 "you will recognize them by their fruits" I must caution you here...we have to start out by watching...remember those who live lives of lies are not always easy to spot at first, but eventually we will know them by their fruits.
3. KNOW GOD'S WORD AND YOU WILL KNOW WHEN IT IS BEING TWISTED AND MANIPULATED. - 2 Corinthians 11:14-15 as was quoted above. This article goes on to say: "sometimes deception may be hidden well, manipulated and cunning, for the Bible makes it clear that even satan disguises himself as light. If we don't know His truth we will never know we are being manipulated. Meditate on God's words. Guard them in your heart. Psalm 119:11 "I have hidden Your word in my heart that I might not sin against You."
4. TRUST THE DISCERNMENT AND WISDOM OF GOD'S SPIRIT LIVING THROUGH YOUR LIFE. - John 16:13 " When the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all the truth." We were warned ahead of time about false prophets Matthew 24:23-25. We need to be prepared, we need to be watching!
5. SURROUND YOURSELF WITH OTHER BELIEVERS YOU KNOW AND TRUST - read
2 Peter 3:3 "Knowing this...scoffers will come in the last days with scoffing, following their own sinful desires." We need fellow Christians we know and trust that they are in the word and following God's plan, not the plans of men, of those who might be among us who are living lies. Use caution who you listen to, who you associate with and believe...KNOW the Word!
Who is charged to take care of the flock against wolves? Our shepherds. Our Elders.
Acts 20:25-31 Paul calls for them to watch over the flock against savage wolves. in reference to seekers to destroy Jude 4 "For certain individuals whose condemnation was written about[a] long ago have secretly slipped in among you. They are ungodly people, who pervert the grace of our God into a license for immorality and deny Jesus Christ our only Sovereign and Lord."
This would indicate that our shepherds need to KNOW each member of their flock so they can discern and watch over us...find any wolves who may have come in among us. They need to know each of us, and need to hear if one comes to them with concerns for another who may be harming those in the flock! This is a heavy responsibility, so we need to help our elders.
These are just some of the thoughts I had concerning wolves in sheeps clothing. I'm sure there is much more, but I hope we are encouraged to get in the word and study for ourselves so that we can be ready to keep our flock safe!
GOD BLESS
