Of Wolves and Sheep
John 7: 14
The Jews therefore were marveling, saying, “How has this man become learned, having never been educated?”
I was asked a very good question recently. It is one we all must consider at some time. And we should be well prepared. The question really goes to the problem of whom we should trust to deliver the Word of God to us. Television preachers seem to arise every day as well as others who wish us to believe they are called by God to preach. Even I. Why should you trust me or any preacher in a pulpit or on television?
Jesus warned us about deception in the last days. “And many false prophets will arise, and will mislead many.” So, we are wise to use discernment in choosing to whom we will listen.
In the world, the first thing we do is to look at a person’s credentials. What degree do they have? Where did they go to school? What experience have they and with whom? This is not a bad question per se, but the problem is that first, it is the world’s way of thinking and judging, not God’s. Therefore, its effectiveness is going to be limited and possibly even skewed. Secondly, when a false prophet comes into the world, he is probably going to have very good credentials. If a deceiver is sent into your community, he is not going to have the obvious shortcomings. That would make him easily detectible.
Just because someone has good credentials, maybe attended the best seminary, doesn’t mean that he is anointed by God to bring the good news of the gospel. Conversely, just because someone does not have a seminary degree does not mean that God isn’t using them to set the captives free. The best examples of this are Jesus and Saul (later to be renamed Paul). Jesus was “uneducated” and without the first credential. Saul on the other hand, was a Pharisee of Pharisees. He studied with the master of the time. He had the very best education, degrees and credentials. And yet Jesus was anointed with the Holy Spirit and power and went about doing good (Acts 10: 38) while Saul persecuted Christians. Who was operating in the will of the Lord and speaking the Word from God? Fortunately, Saul got turned around, was renamed Paul and went about doing great things for the Kingdom of God. His great education and credentials did not save him from the Jewish leadership then though.
Jesus, knowing we would face these difficult times, offered advice as to how we are to discern his chosen from would be deceivers and false prophets. “Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves. “You will know them by their fruits. Grapes are not gathered from thorn bushes nor figs from thistles, are they?” (Matthew 7: 15 -16).
We are to recognize people by their fruit. If their fruit is good, then the tree is good. But don’t forget that you can pray and ask your Father for wisdom. He can guide you to those who are anointed by Him to teach the gospel.
Lastly, from experience I have noticed that those with a strong anointing on them rarely are those who only and always tickle your ears. In other words, they don’t always say what you want to hear. The people that God has called will often challenge you and challenge your thinking. They will inspire you to do something. The deceivers will attempt to lull you to sleep while the true apostles will call you to some action. If you look through the Bible, you will notice that God’s called were always shaking up the people. They were trying to awaken the people to God’s voice. So, if someone is shaking you up a bit, don’t turn him off right away. That may be the one God has sent. If that preacher is making you a little bit uncomfortable, before you shut them down, ask God about it. That is probably the very person God has sent into your life.
God wants you to grow, especially in these last days. Therefore, the people he is sending are going to challenge us. He has a whole nation of folks to stir up so don’t be surprised if the voices you hear begin to challenge the status quo just like Jesus did in His day. If there is going to be a great awakening, there are going to have to be some alarm clocks.
Most of all, remember to be a fruit inspector. There will be many people vying for your attention, but each must earn it through established fruit. Here is the test God gave us, “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control,” (Galatians 5: 22). Only those who are kind, good, faithful, patient, etc. pass muster because Jesus told us that we should judge them by their fruit. He warned us to be wary. We needn’t be afraid, only aware and mindful.
