How can we know the difference between a shepherd and a wolf?
Dec 21, 2011
The Race for Grace - part twenty-seven in a study of the book of Galatians
By Mike Gaudet
How can we know the difference between a shepherd and a wolf?
“Those who want to make a good impression outwardly are trying to compel you to be circumcised. The only reason they do this is to avoid being persecuted for the cross of Christ. Not even those who are circumcised obey the law, yet they want you to be circumcised that they may boast about your flesh” Galatians 6:12-13
Walking with God requires a strong “yes” and an equally strong “no.”
The believers in Galatia had welcomed Paul with open arms and had said “yes” to the gospel he proclaimed. When Paul departed to form churches elsewhere, other “missionaries” arrived who misrepresented God and misused the Bible. Unfortunately, the Galatians failed to say “no” to their misrepresentation of the good news.
These misguided ministers taught that Old Testament laws concerning circumcision and dietary restrictions were still binding. They proclaimed that to be Christian one first had to become Jewish.
Paul accused these missionaries of wanting to “make a good impression outwardly” in order to “avoid being persecuted for the cross of Christ.” They were trying to stay on the good side of powerful religious authorities who would declare holy war on them if they failed to enforce their outdated sacred obligations.
What they said:
“’I am trying to compel you to be circumcised’” because I care about you.”
What they really meant:
“’I am trying to compel you to be circumcised” so that I can “boast about your flesh” . . . so that you can become another notch on my gun belt.
They claimed to be serving God. They were really serving themselves.
Paul countered that the “cross of Christ” removes Old Testament law as the basis on which God’s acceptance is granted. On this side of the cross, we are accepted by faith, not by works. When a religious teacher insists that giving, fasting, praying or other expressions of devotion are still required currency with which we cultivate or maintain God’s approval, they are misrepresenting Jesus’ teaching.
Throughout his ministry, Paul’s most troublesome opponents were sacred . . . not secular. This was Jesus’ experience as well. He warned His disciples to, “Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves.” Matthew 7:15
When we read the phrase “wolves” in “sheep’s clothing” we naturally think of wolves dressed like sheep. Jesus identified a more grave threat. Wolves dressed like shepherds! Sheep don’t wear “sheep’s clothing,” shepherds do. Jesus told His disciples that the greatest danger to His flock comes when those who prey upon His sheep are the very ones who are supposed to be guarding them.
Lest we characterize “false prophets” as evil and hateful, we would do well to bear in mind that wolves don’t “hate” sheep. They just need to eat them to live. In the same way, when spiritual shepherds care for their “flocks” but fail to garner their own “daily bread” from God, they will eventually resort to feeding on the devotion of the flock in order to fill the emptiness inside. They will become wolves in sheep’s clothing.
How can we tell the difference between a shepherd and a wolf?
A tour guide to the Middle East made much of how shepherds in that part of the world lead their sheep by walking in front of them rather than behind them. When the tour group arrived a flock of sheep approached and the guide alerted the group to pay careful attention to where the shepherd situated himself. When the flock went by, however, the shepherd was walking behind rather than in front of the sheep. The tour guide registered the smirks of some of the group and determined to find out the reason for this breach of protocol. He approached the shepherd and asked him why he was driving the sheep from in back rather than leading them from in front. The man responded, “I’m not the shepherd, I’m the butcher!”
Jesus indicated that sheep follow a shepherd because they “want to,” not because they’re “forced to.”
“My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.” John 10:27