WARNING: BEWARE OF WOLVES
By W. G. Guy
Both Jesus and the apostle Paul gave us warnings about those who would become false ministers, preachers and teachers; those who would have the nature of a wolf. (They used the analogy of the sheep and wolf relationship.)
Consider what the nature of a wolf is like. He is one that has a deep fleshly lust, and seeks to satisfy that lust by what he can get from the sheep – consuming them in various ways. These wolves, however, are very devious and disguise themselves as sheep.
Matthew 7:15 – Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.
The term false prophets used here refers to those who preach or teach in Jesus’ name, which is known as “forth-telling”, or speaking forth to others in performance of their ministry. Some of these preachers or prophets have gifts that appear sensational or spectacular and draw a lot of attention. Jesus told us not to look for such gifts, or be drawn by them.
Matthew 7:20 – Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.
Here is how it reads in the Passion Translation: You’ll know them by the obvious fruit of their lives and ministries. Therefore it is not by their gifts that you know them, but by their fruit – (see John 15:4-5). Jesus said to look for the fruit in their lives. This fruit is not their works but the Fruit of the Spirit that is listed in Galatians 5:22-23. This fruit can only be produced by the life of Christ abiding within the person. This fruit is also the character and nature of God which was fully manifested in Jesus. The chief fruit is love; the caring and compassion for other’s wellbeing, which is the key to powerful and effective ministry, preaching and teaching.
These false ministers, preachers and teachers, may not necessarily be doing their work by evil spirits, but they are likely driven by the lust of their own flesh. They are doing their own thing for personal benefit.
Matthew 7:21-23 – Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
Notice what Jesus has to say about them: “I never knew you”; the words knew you refers to a level of intimacy that a husband has with his wife. This means that these preachers were not in close fellowship with the Lord and did not know what He wants or how to do what He wants done. The next thing Jesus says is: “depart from me, ye that work iniquity”. Iniquity is rebellion or doing your own thing; thus they were not working in obedience to the Lord as explained in Matthew 7:24-27 that deals with building the Lord’s house, the church, through preaching and teaching.
The apostle Paul also addresses the issue of “wolves in sheep’s clothing”:
Acts 20:29 – For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.
Such ministers Paul refers to have the nature of a wolf which they use to advance themselves at the expense of the sheep. They feed off of the sheep using their ministry as the means of their own self-gratification. This characteristic has recently been most evident by those who promote the “prosperity” doctrine; but it is usually their own prosperity that they are actually seeking.
1Timothy 6:5 – perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.
This seems to include those preachers who claim to need multi-million dollar jet planes to chauffer them around in luxury. They also make demands on the sheep to pay for such extreme transportation. Such preachers also live in large palatial estates, or they have multiple fancy homes in up-scale communities. The fruit that they show is greed and lust for material things.
Proverbs 15:27 – He that is greedy of gain troubleth his own house; …….
The term troubleth his own house implies that he, and likely his entire family, are unsettled or discontent with what they have, and always strive, or lust, for more: bigger houses, more property, bigger and faster jet planes, more expensive cars, etc.
In addition, they always want greater notoriety; a bigger following as referred to in Acts 20.
Acts 20:30 – Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.
Even what they pray for is often based on their lusts.
James 4:3 – Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.
In these last days of great deception it is imperative that believers be discerning, and that we also become FRUIT INSPECTORS of those we listen to and trust to provide spiritual leadership in the churches.
Matthew 24:24 – For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.
By W. G. Guy
Both Jesus and the apostle Paul gave us warnings about those who would become false ministers, preachers and teachers; those who would have the nature of a wolf. (They used the analogy of the sheep and wolf relationship.)
Consider what the nature of a wolf is like. He is one that has a deep fleshly lust, and seeks to satisfy that lust by what he can get from the sheep – consuming them in various ways. These wolves, however, are very devious and disguise themselves as sheep.
Matthew 7:15 – Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.
The term false prophets used here refers to those who preach or teach in Jesus’ name, which is known as “forth-telling”, or speaking forth to others in performance of their ministry. Some of these preachers or prophets have gifts that appear sensational or spectacular and draw a lot of attention. Jesus told us not to look for such gifts, or be drawn by them.
Matthew 7:20 – Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.
Here is how it reads in the Passion Translation: You’ll know them by the obvious fruit of their lives and ministries. Therefore it is not by their gifts that you know them, but by their fruit – (see John 15:4-5). Jesus said to look for the fruit in their lives. This fruit is not their works but the Fruit of the Spirit that is listed in Galatians 5:22-23. This fruit can only be produced by the life of Christ abiding within the person. This fruit is also the character and nature of God which was fully manifested in Jesus. The chief fruit is love; the caring and compassion for other’s wellbeing, which is the key to powerful and effective ministry, preaching and teaching.
These false ministers, preachers and teachers, may not necessarily be doing their work by evil spirits, but they are likely driven by the lust of their own flesh. They are doing their own thing for personal benefit.
Matthew 7:21-23 – Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
Notice what Jesus has to say about them: “I never knew you”; the words knew you refers to a level of intimacy that a husband has with his wife. This means that these preachers were not in close fellowship with the Lord and did not know what He wants or how to do what He wants done. The next thing Jesus says is: “depart from me, ye that work iniquity”. Iniquity is rebellion or doing your own thing; thus they were not working in obedience to the Lord as explained in Matthew 7:24-27 that deals with building the Lord’s house, the church, through preaching and teaching.
The apostle Paul also addresses the issue of “wolves in sheep’s clothing”:
Acts 20:29 – For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.
Such ministers Paul refers to have the nature of a wolf which they use to advance themselves at the expense of the sheep. They feed off of the sheep using their ministry as the means of their own self-gratification. This characteristic has recently been most evident by those who promote the “prosperity” doctrine; but it is usually their own prosperity that they are actually seeking.
1Timothy 6:5 – perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.
This seems to include those preachers who claim to need multi-million dollar jet planes to chauffer them around in luxury. They also make demands on the sheep to pay for such extreme transportation. Such preachers also live in large palatial estates, or they have multiple fancy homes in up-scale communities. The fruit that they show is greed and lust for material things.
Proverbs 15:27 – He that is greedy of gain troubleth his own house; …….
The term troubleth his own house implies that he, and likely his entire family, are unsettled or discontent with what they have, and always strive, or lust, for more: bigger houses, more property, bigger and faster jet planes, more expensive cars, etc.
In addition, they always want greater notoriety; a bigger following as referred to in Acts 20.
Acts 20:30 – Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.
Even what they pray for is often based on their lusts.
James 4:3 – Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.
In these last days of great deception it is imperative that believers be discerning, and that we also become FRUIT INSPECTORS of those we listen to and trust to provide spiritual leadership in the churches.
Matthew 24:24 – For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.
