Wolves In Sheep’s Clothing

Introduction- The Role of the God Sent Prophet

1 Corinthians 1:23–25 ESV

23 but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles, 24 but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. 25 For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.

Storied Witness: The Theology of Black Women Preachers in 19th Century America by Kate Hanch

Zilpha Elaw, 19th Century black female preacher born around 1790 in Pennsylvania, presumably in an urban area in a freed Black family.

A Foolish Foray into the South

In her sermon to the enslavers, Elaw compares herself to Jesus in explaining that she “told them all the things they ever did.”

Elaw purposefully connects the white Virginians- those living in the slave states- to the Samaritans of the New Testament, who, like the woman at the well, are associated with heresy and considered enemies of Jesus’s community.

Further, in telling the enslavers “all the things that ever they did,” she questions their comfort with their own selves and in their own communities. Elaw’s sermon convicts the enslavers who listen to her. Alluding to the Johannine story, she equates the enslavers’ position to that of the enemies of Jesus. Like the Samaritans in the Johannine text, the enslavers are not right with God, and Elaw sees it as her mission to highlight this reality. Fully knowing her vulnerability and precarity, she willingly preaches a sermon that exposes the sins of the enslavers, the most powerful group listening to her in the South.

Matthew 7:15 ESV

15 “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves.

As an expression alone, a wolf in sheep’s clothing denotes a person who appears harmless and kind, but this attitude only hides their devious and malicious intent. This type of person is easily trusted, and is able to gain the favor of those who are unsuspecting. It is hard sometimes to fathom that there are actually people who would purposely do this, but we must not be naïve.

Transition To Body- The LORD’S Issue With False Prophets

How can we accurately define what a false prophet is? Simply put, a false prophet is one who professes to speak forth that which God has spoken, but actually does not.

Foretelling vs. Forthtelling

Before we pursue this subject further, let’s first make a statement about prophecy. For many, the immediate thought one has when hearing of or speaking of prophecy is the idea of “foretelling.” This is properly one of the aspects of prophecy; it is predictive. This side of prophecy has the unfortunate tendency to fascinate many. The other aspect of prophecy is that it is simply “forthtelling.” It is the man or woman of God being used to proclaim truth as the Lord has given it to them; though it may not be predictive in nature.

Matthew 24:24 ESV

24 For false christs and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect.

Ezekiel 13:9 ESV

9 My hand will be against the prophets who see false visions and who give lying divinations. They shall not be in the council of my people, nor be enrolled in the register of the house of Israel, nor shall they enter the land of Israel. And you shall know that I am the Lord God.

Jeremiah 14:14 ESV

14 And the Lord said to me: “The prophets are prophesying lies in my name. I did not send them, nor did I command them or speak to them. They are prophesying to you a lying vision, worthless divination, and the deceit of their own minds.

Jeremiah 23:16 ESV

16 Thus says the Lord of hosts: “Do not listen to the words of the prophets who prophesy to you, filling you with vain hopes. They speak visions of their own minds, not from the mouth of the Lord.

Luke 6:26 ESV

26 “Woe to you, when all people speak well of you, for so their fathers did to the false prophets.

False prophets are those who, for several reasons, have opted to deceive God’s people. Here are three powerful verses which speak decisively of false prophets:

2 Peter 2:1–3 ESV

1 But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction. 2 And many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of truth will be blasphemed. 3 And in their greed they will exploit you with false words. Their condemnation from long ago is not idle, and their destruction is not asleep.

Many false prophets have gone out into the world

1 John 4:1–6 ESV

1 Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world. 2 By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, 3 and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you heard was coming and now is in the world already. 4 Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. 5 They are from the world; therefore they speak from the world, and the world listens to them. 6 We are from God. Whoever knows God listens to us; whoever is not from God does not listen to us. By this we know the Spirit of truth and the spirit of error.

When People will not endure sound teaching

2 Timothy 4:1–5 ESV

1 I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom: 2 preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. 3 For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, 4 and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths. 5 As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.

By this time…

Hebrews 5:12–14 ESV

12 For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the basic principles of the oracles of God. You need milk, not solid food, 13 for everyone who lives on milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, since he is a child. 14 But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil.

Not many of you…

James 3:1 ESV

1 Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness.

Body

Class Of Fruit Produced

Matthew 7:16 ESV

16 You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles?

Recognize- Learn from past experiences

Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament based on Semantic Domains 27.61 ἐπιγινώσκω

to identify newly acquired information with what had been previously learned or known—‘to recognize.’

Fruits- result of what they have been doing

Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament based on Semantic Domains 42.13 καρπός, οῦ

the natural result of what has been done—‘deed, activity, result of deeds.

Illustration: Result of him saying he loves you? How does he treat his Mama?

Caliber Of Fruit Produced

Matthew 7:17 ESV

17 So, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit.

Tree

Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament based on Semantic Domains 3.2 δένδρον, ου

any kind of relatively large woody plant—‘tree, bush.’

You Can look @ a Tree’s Fruit and Determine Whether Or Not It is Healthy

Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament based on Semantic Domains 65.20 ἀγαθός, ή, όν

pertaining to having the proper characteristics or performing the expected function in a fully satisfactory way—‘good, nice, pleasant.’

Fruit

Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament based on Semantic Domains 65.22 καλός, ή, όν

pertaining to having acceptable characteristics or functioning in an agreeable manner, often with the focus on outward form or appearance—‘good, fine.’

Illustration: Is the fruit of Godly character or condition

Diseased

Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament based on Semantic Domains 65.28 σαπρός, ά, όν

pertaining to being of poor or bad quality and hence of little or no value (particularly in reference to plants, either in the sense of seriously diseased or of seedling stock, that is, not budded or grafted)—‘bad, diseased’ and possibly ‘seedling.

Illustration: Buying high quality or high caliber

Bad

Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament based on Semantic Domains 65.27 πονηρός, ά, όν

pertaining to possessing a serious fault and consequently being worthless—‘bad, worthless.’

Are the teachings of Jesus Christ of high value to you

Romans 2:4 ESV

Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God’s kindness is meant to lead you to repentance?

What about followers of Jesus Christ?

A Working Faith

James 2:14–20 ESV

14 What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? 15 If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, 16 and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? 17 So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. 18 But someone will say, “You have faith and I have works.” Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. 19 You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder! 20 Do you want to be shown, you foolish person, that faith apart from works is useless?

Consistency Of Fruit Produced

Matthew 7:18 ESV

18 A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit.

Illustrate: Cut from a Different Cloth

Most simply, different, really. Picture cutting a piece away from a cloth. Cut another piece from that same cloth. They are from the same cloth, so there isn't anything different about the pieces. Now cut a piece from a different cloth, it's going to be different, not similar at all.

Cutting Of Fruit Produced

Matthew 7:19 ESV

19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.

Good Fruit Of Disciples

John 15:1–8 ESV

1 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. 2 Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. 3 Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. 4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. 5 I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. 7 If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples.

Transition To Close- Wolf Fooled The Under-Shepherd

Illustration: Little Red Riding Hood

When Little Red Riding Hood arrives, she notices the strange appearance of her "grandmother". She exclaims, "What a deep voice you have!" "The better to greet you with", responds the wolf. "Goodness, what big eyes you have!" "The better to see you with", responds the wolf. "And what big hands you have!" "The better to embrace you with", responds the wolf. "What a big mouth you have!" "The better to eat you with!", he responds, at which point the wolf jumps out of the bed and eats her as well.

Illustration: 3 Little Pigs

The story begins with the title characters being sent out into the world by their mother, to "seek out their fortune". The first little pig builds a house of straw, but a wolf blows it down and devours him. The second little pig builds a house of sticks, which the wolf also blows down, though with more blows and the second little pig is also devoured. Each exchange between wolf and pig features ringing proverbial phrases, namely:

"Little pig, little pig, let me come in." "No, not by the hair on my chinny chin chin." "Then I'll huff, and I'll puff, and I'll blow your house in."

The third little pig builds a house of bricks, which the wolf fails to blow down. He then attempts to trick the pig out of the house by asking to meet him at several places at specific times, but he is outwitted each time since the pig gets to those places earlier than the wolf. Finally, the infuriated wolf resolves to come down the chimney, whereupon the pig who owns the brick house lights a fire under a pot of water on the fireplace. The wolf falls in and is fatally boiled, avenging the death of the final pig's brothers. After cooking the wolf, the pig proceeds to eat the meat for dinner.

www.gingersoftware.com

Ginger’s Phrase of the Day provides you with a daily dose of interesting facts and trivia on some of the more, and less, common phrases in the English language. Learn the real meaning behind these phrases, when and how to use them and other less-known info behind each phrase.

The cautionary advice that one shouldn't necessarily trust someone since he or she is pretending to be something he/she is not, has been with us for many centuries. One form of it is Aesop's Fable in which a wolf who wanted to fool the shepherd into believing that he was a lamb, put on a sheepskin. When the shepherd locked the gate at night, the wolf thought it was safe to devour the sheep, however the shepherd returned at night to the flock to gather meat, and the wolf was slaughtered as one of the sheep.

Matthew 7:20 ESV

20 Thus you will recognize them by their fruits.

Galatians 5:22–24 ESV

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. 24 And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.

Galatians 6:7–10 ESV

7 Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. 8 For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. 9 And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. 10 So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.

Close- The Good Shepherd

Matthew 7:21–23 ESV

21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ 23 And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’

John 10:1–18 ESV

1 “Truly, truly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door but climbs in by another way, that man is a thief and a robber. 2 But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. 3 To him the gatekeeper opens. The sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 When he has brought out all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. 5 A stranger they will not follow, but they will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers.” 6 This figure of speech Jesus used with them, but they did not understand what he was saying to them. 7 So Jesus again said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. 8 All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. 9 I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture. 10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. 11 I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. 12 He who is a hired hand and not a shepherd, who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees, and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. 13 He flees because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep. 14 I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, 15 just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep. 16 And I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd. 17 For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life that I may take it up again. 18 No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This charge I have received from my Father.”

Wolf Disguised As LAMB but what about the God Lamb wrapped in human flesh

John 1:29 ESV

29 The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!