Last year, two convicts broke out of a maximum-security prison in Argentina, only to find that they could be easily spotted in the spacious sheep pastures surrounding the penitentiary. So what to do? The duo sneaked into a local ranch and stole some wooly hides that included sheep heads. The fake lambs remained on the lam by hiding among the thousands of sheep grazing around them. While still searching for the duo, one police officer deadpanned, “They can’t pull the wool over our eyes forever.” Groan.
As He concluded His Sermon on the Mount, Jesus warned His followers to beware of “false prophets who come disguised as harmless sheep but are really vicious wolves” (Matthew 7:15). He wanted them to go through the “narrow gate” (Jesus Himself) and not head down the “highway to hell” (choosing not to believe in and follow Him, Matthew 7:13).
You might have kind, winsome friends and teachers in your life who appear to be as harmless as lambs. But watch and listen closely—are they actually denying the true teachings of Jesus and the authority of His Word?
Jesus told us to look at the “fruit” of each person who is influencing us spiritually (Matthew 7:15-19). He said, “Just as you can identify a tree by its fruit, so you can identify people by their actions” (Matthew 7:20). One of Jesus’ close friends, the apostle John, had this to say about watching out for wolves in sheep clothing: “Do not believe everyone who claims to speak by the Spirit. You must test them to see if the spirit they have comes from God” (1 John 4:1).
Who’s influencing you these days? Are they pointing you to the true Shepherd and the narrow gate, or are they leading you down the highway to hell?
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: 1 Samuel 17:1-31
More:
Read Deuteronomy 13:1-4 to read God’s instructions for how to avoid false prophets and to follow Him alone.
Next:
How can you spot a wolf in sheep’s clothing? What will you do to make sure the people who are spiritually influencing you are true believers in Jesus?
cricket41 on March 27, 2011 at 10:10 am
Sadly my earthly family led me down the highway to hell. You can tell me you love me and care about me all you want, but until you show action your words mean nothing. There was a man who was attending the same meetings that I was attending. I loved to hear him share, he had it down packed word for word. I was drawn to him. One day I got a phone call saying he was dead. He had offered one of these young girls attending the meetings a ride, and ended up raping her. He was found dead in a hotel room loaded with drugs.Also people who claim to be christians yet are socializing with worldly people and doing what they are doing? Can you imagine what God is thinking seeing all of this? anyway I am not perfect either and will stop running my big mouth. Love to all of you and again thank you for letting me share.
tom felten on March 27, 2011 at 3:57 pm
cricket41, your experiences reveals just how devastating it can be for people—like yourself—who have endured the horror of sin at the hands of those who they trusted—leaders in their lives. You asked, “can you imagine what God is thinking seeing all of this?” Hebrews 1:9 tells us that Jesus loves righteousness and hates wickedness. He is the One true leader we can trust, The One who will never mistreat us or forsake us!
dabac on March 28, 2011 at 3:13 pm
Hey cricket,
I pray for you once more; see one of my previous posts 😉
There’s nothing more repulsive than evil-doers that represent themselves as followers of God (not just our God, take a look at other religions), I feel that atheists are much more honest in that case!
I pray for them too, to repent and to change.
I pray for your earthly family also.
Keep on in your walk in faith, your decision to chose love instead of hate, you’ll see it’s worth it!
vikki fr Philippines on March 27, 2011 at 11:47 am
One thing that struck me recently is the movie Tangled by Disney… Mother Gothrel is evil in it’s physically pretty form and keeps on saying – love you more to Rapunzel but really is very selfish…the real parents were really fornlorn and reminds the town of their beloved daughter every… Just thought that was a powerful depiction of love and evil…
tom felten on March 27, 2011 at 4:05 pm
vikki, good insights. I need to see Tangled soon! 🙂 God hates sin, but as we repent of our sin (1 John 1:9). He allows us to experience real life. He doesn’t keep condemning us. Check out these verses from Psalm 103: “He forgives all my sins and heals all my diseases” (v.3); “He will not constantly accuse us” (v.9); “He has removed our sins as far from us as the east is from the west” (v.12).
vikki fr Philippines on March 27, 2011 at 9:12 pm
Hi Tom!
I’ve been an avid user of Our Daily Journey since ?2004 when it was still Campus Journey i think it’s called… and your posts, i especially look forward to… seriously! :D… i still have the printed devotional books but i’m glad for this site where we all can interact…
Kudos to the team and i’m looking forward to more online conversations!
V 😀
vikki fr Philippines on March 27, 2011 at 11:52 am
Remembers their beloved daughter
every year, that is
honeygraham on March 27, 2011 at 4:56 pm
I have had the worst kind of experience. I married a man I met at church, on the surface he was all I had asked God for. We were even doing street ministry together. However after a short time of being married he began to curtail our church participation and forbed me from street ministry. The emotional and spiritual abuse escalated until he became physically violent against me. When he tearfully asked for forgiveness he used the scriptures to make me feel less of a christian so I forgave him and only asked that we get counseling and attend church regularly. These things never happened and the abuse eventually continued. I left him for a time of separation and he followed me. We attended a church service together where he broke down at the alter and I was convinced that he was repentant to find only 2 days later he was begining to sound like his old self.
After a few more days i found out that he had given up on me and started a new relationship after just 2 weeks of separation. This broke my heart for I loved my husband and was still believing God would restore my marriage.
I feel like the enemy dressed my husband up in a pretty package but when i opened him up all i found was anger, selfishness, and ridicule. By the time I left the relationship I felt unsure of even the things I had always been good at. Thank God he is a God of restoration and even now he is healing me from this deep hurt.
tom felten on March 27, 2011 at 5:04 pm
I’m so sorry you had to endure spiritual and emotional abuse. May God continue to heal you and replace the hurt with His amazing love and presence. I trust this online booklet will provide some help and hope: http://discoveryseries.org/discovery-series/gods-protection-of-women/
honeygraham on March 27, 2011 at 6:43 pm
Thank you for this resource. The question of divorce was weighing heavy on my spirit. The last two days God has been revealing aspects that have never been taught to me for that I am truely grateful.
tom felten on March 27, 2011 at 9:02 pm
So glad it proved helpful, honeygraham. May God give you great peace (Philippians 4:6-7) as you seek Him and His guidance for your next steps!