When we hear, A Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing, the idea that comes to mind is that of a wild wolf putting on a sheep’s skin. How amazing, we think!
In our previous message, Jesus described False Prophets as wolves in sheep’s clothing. And one would wonder what He meant.
Hold on! We will look at that in this message. We will also see what they do and how to deal with them. But you must understand that a wolf in sheep’s clothing is a real threat to the safety and security of any people.
Wolf In Sheep’s Clothing Bible Verse
There are several Bible verses about wolves, but the term, Wolf in sheep’s clothing, is a rephrased proportion of the statement of Jesus, recorded in Matthew 7:15. It says:
“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravening wolves.” Matthew 7:15 WEB.
Aside from WEB, other translations including the KJV, present that Bible verse in the same terms. Therefore, the derival of a wolf in sheep’s clothing is in the singularity of the wolves and sheep’s clothing from the above verse.
As we continue this journey, Brother Paul made a statement I want you to keep at the back of your mind. He said;
“For I know that after my departure, vicious wolves will enter in among you, not sparing the flock.” The Acts 20:29 WEB.
A Wolf In Sheep’s Clothing Meaning
As we look at what A Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing means, it is worth noting that what we are dealing with here is a hungry, ferocious, and greedy personality.
Wolves are generally known as wild animals, but a ravening wolf is one that is out for hunting. He is looking for whom to devour.
A wolf in sheep’s clothing is a metaphorical statement that refers to a dangerous person with a subtle attitude. It suggests that someone is not exactly what they look like in the positive.
As an idiomatic expression also denoted in Aesopica, an ancient Greek Fable by a slave storyteller, Aesop, a wolf in sheep’s clothing always carries the idea of a good-looking bad person. They have the fooling mindset of a predator but end in death (which happens after they have been found out).
So when Jesus instructed the people to watch out for this kind of people, He was not just preaching a message; He was sending a warning. But why?
What A Wolf In Sheep’s Clothing Does
A Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing lyrics by Set It Off begin with a laugh and continues that we should beware and be skeptical of their smiles of plated gold, deceit that looks natural.
It added that a wolf in sheep’s clothing is more than a warning, and we can say that applies to anyone who takes up pretense to cause harm to other people. It could be a friendly enemy you have there.
But going back to the base of this message, the false prophets were the ones Jesus was pointing to, in the sense of wolves dressed as Sheep.
Now, what do they do? Here are three main things that a wolf in sheep’s clothing does:
1. He steals.
2. He kills.
3. He destroys.
You may be surprised to know that those identified as wolves in sheep’s clothing steal, kill, and destroy. That is possible because they have to deceive the people. They do not directly disclose how they do it themselves. But with careful observation, you can catch them red-handed.
The false prophets are thieves who run the three-fold ministry of the devil. They do not have life to give. Instead, they go about as roaring lions, looking for whom to devour. Their master is the devil who appears as an angel of light, while they appear as servants of righteousness.
Brother Paul said in 2 Corinthians 11:14–15 WEB, “And no wonder, for even Satan masquerades as an angel of light.
It is no great thing therefore if his servants also masquerade as servants of righteousness, whose end will be according to their works.”
While they come to you, they mask their faces and move around as if they are for you. But they are against you because they are after your freedom, peace of mind, prosperity, and relationships, to mention a few.
If all the prophecies and promises of false prophets about a better life for everyone who gave them money, and bought their ‘holy’ and miraculous items were true, the common man would indeed have a life of Heaven on Earth.
Be informed: no man of God in the scriptures ever sold holy salt, holy water, or holy handkerchief. Have you been deceived? Watch out!
How To Deal With Wolves In Sheep’s Clothing
Before Brother Paul made the statements I quoted above, he mentioned in verses 8 and 9 of 2 Corinthians 11, how he had to receive wages from other assemblies to help him preach the gospel of Christ to the people in Greece.
He gave an example of what he called robbing the assemblies; when he was in need, brothers from Macedonia visited him to supply for his needs. Therefore, he did not have to bother those he was ministering to. But why?
He did so because he loved them and did not want the pretenders who were only after their resources, not for Christ’s sake, to deceive them.
The amplified version of his message says:
“But what I do, I will continue to do, [for I am determined to maintain this independence] in order to cut off the claim of those who would like [to find an occasion and incentive] to claim that in their boasted [mission] they work on the same terms that we do.
For such men are false apostles [spurious, counterfeits], deceitful workmen, masquerading as apostles (special messengers) of Christ (the Messiah).” 2 Corinthians 11:12–13 AMP.
A wolf in sheep’s clothing is not only a false prophet and teacher. He is also a false apostle because he comes to deliver lies, a false evangelist because he preaches another gospel, a false pastor because he leads the people astray, and a false member because he pretends to be of the family of God.
To put things in perspective, before Jesus said, Beware of false prophets…, He spoke about two ways: the broad and the narrow.
“Enter in by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and many are those who enter in by it.
How narrow is the gate, and restricted is the way that leads to life! Few are those who find it.” Matthew 7:13–14 WEB.
Did you notice the instruction was to enter through the narrow gate? The next instruction Jesus gave was to Beware of false prophets, the wolves in sheep’s clothing. But let us examine what He said in between those two instructions.
He spoke about the wide gate and broad way that leads to destruction, and the narrow gate and way that leads to life. The question is, Which way are you?
The broad path is known as the easy way, the shortcut, the path people call sharp-sharp, and that is where you will find the crowds. They buy and sell all kinds of stuff in the name of God and do deals that only end in destruction.
The narrow path is the way that is straight to the course, long to the sight, restricted to Life alone, but only those focused on the truth are on that path. Jesus said there are few of them.
Hold on a moment. Which path are you located in? Are you on the broad way, the narrow way, or at the edge between them, indecisive about the way to go? If Jesus were to write now, He would say, Go for Truth.
Search around you, if you are on the broad way, it could be time for a U-turn. Perhaps it is time to turn from the gods of this world to the Lord Jesus Christ.
Have you not had enough of their prophecies and money-centric interpretations of the scriptures? It is working, they say. But for how long?
Brother Peter said:
“For we did not follow cunningly devised fables, when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty.
For he received from God the Father honor and glory, when the voice came to him from the Majestic Glory, ‘This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.’
We heard this voice come out of heaven when we were with him on the holy mountain.
We have the more sure word of prophecy; and you do well that you heed it, as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns, and the morning star arises in your hearts:
knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of private interpretation.
For no prophecy ever came by the will of man: but holy men of God spoke, being moved by the Holy Spirit.
But false prophets also arose among the people, as false teachers will also be among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, denying even the Master who bought them, bringing on themselves swift destruction.
Many will follow their immoral ways, and as a result, the way of the truth will be maligned.
In covetousness they will exploit you with deceptive words: whose sentence now from of old doesn’t linger, and their destruction will not slumber.” 2 Peter 1:16–21, 2:1–3 WEB.
The wolves in sheep’s clothing have always been around and will be around till their end comes. So how do you deal with them?
From all we have seen in this message, I will share five ways to deal with wolves in sheep’s clothing. There are:
- Believe in Christ and take His instructions seriously.
- Watch out for the signs of falsehood and deceit.
- Mark those who exhibit those signs and expose them.
- Have nothing to do with them.
- Give yourselves to the study of God’s word.
When Christ is your Leader, you will never be misled. But when man is leading you, if the focus is not on Christ, the leading is not of God.
Remember what Brother Paul said, which I told you to put at the back of your mind? Now, put it at the front of your mind. We will consider it in the message, False Christs and False Prophets Today.
