(Alan is on vacation this week, so our webmaster Jeff Cox is filling in during his absence.)
Introduction. "The Lord is My Shepherd . . ." (Psalm 23:1) So begins one of most colorful and memorable expressions in the Bible of the relationship between God as a loving, watchful, providing, protecting Shepherd and His people as dependent, trusting, grateful, obedient sheep. As beautiful as this Psalm is, there is an undercurrent of ominous danger and potential death ("restores my soul", "the valley of the shadow of death", "evil", "my enemies").
Dangerous Predators. Bible references abound describing the wolf as a threat to relatively defenseless sheep (Gen. 49:27, Zeph. 3:3, John 10:1-16). Even with Jesus as the ultimate "Good Shepherd", His sheep will still encounter these dangerous predators:
Introduction. "The Lord is My Shepherd . . ." (Psalm 23:1) So begins one of most colorful and memorable expressions in the Bible of the relationship between God as a loving, watchful, providing, protecting Shepherd and His people as dependent, trusting, grateful, obedient sheep. As beautiful as this Psalm is, there is an undercurrent of ominous danger and potential death ("restores my soul", "the valley of the shadow of death", "evil", "my enemies").
Dangerous Predators. Bible references abound describing the wolf as a threat to relatively defenseless sheep (Gen. 49:27, Zeph. 3:3, John 10:1-16). Even with Jesus as the ultimate "Good Shepherd", His sheep will still encounter these dangerous predators:
- “Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves.” (Matt. 10:16)
- “For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. Also from among yourselves men will rise up …” (Acts 20:29)
- “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves.” (Matt. 7:15)
Friends. Our friendly relationships with other people can be a source of enjoyment, mutual help, and encouragement. But as 1 Cor. 15:33 warns, they can also be a source of danger. Beware the voice of a potential wolf - "Let's go party!", "Everyone is doing it.", "I see nothing wrong with it.", "Don't you want to be popular?"
Family. The even closer bonds of family can be a significant source of love, comfort, and strength. But according to Matt. 10:34-37, spouses, parents and in-laws can be a predatory enemy if they oppose the Christian who puts loyalty to God over loyalty to the family.
Teachers. Most parents rely on public school teachers to provide a sound education for their children. As degreed professionals who spend many years in the classroom, teachers can be a great source of not only instruction, but also motivation and character shaping. But, they can also be potential wolves by promoting secular values (e.g., no standard of right & wrong, situational ethics, "safe" sex, evolution).
Media. In our modern culture, we are surrounded by multiple organizations that seek to inform and entertain us via news channels, talk radio, movies, music, video games, Facebook, Twitter, and so on. The wise lamb will quickly recognize the voices of predatory wolves promoting worldly, anti-Christian values (e.g., Rom. 1:18-32, 1 Cor. 6:9-10, Gal. 5:16-21).
"Christians". Heb. 10:19-25 highlights the value and importance of regularly associating ourselves with fellow sheep in a faithful flock for mutual encouragement. But as the New Testament warns, not everyone who claims to be one of Jesus' sheep really is. That includes not only our "religious" neighbors, but also people in religious leadership positions. As Matt. 7:15-27, 1 Cor. 1:10-12, and 2 Tim. 3:1-9 warn, beware of the potential wolf who would promote lax attitudes toward:
Ourselves. "I've been a church-going member for many years. I know what the Bible says. I love God. I can trust myself." Be careful - you may be a victim of the wolf within, especially if that voice says things like "God wants me to be happy.", "It is just a small sin. No one will know. After all, I deserve it.", or "People better agree with me because I can’t be wrong." As 1 Cor. 10:12 warns, "Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall."
"Trust, but Verify". With many kinds of predatory wolves both around us and disguised among us, what should we do? Realistically, how can we be "wise as serpents" and yet "harmless as doves"? Consider:
Conclusion. "The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want." What a beautiful expression of faith, trust, and confidence in the "Good Shepherd"! But we need to obediently follow Him and heed his warnings about the ever-present danger of savage, ravenous wolves that would destroy us given a chance. Especially dangerous are wolves in disguise who seem trustworthy, but in reality are not.
Family. The even closer bonds of family can be a significant source of love, comfort, and strength. But according to Matt. 10:34-37, spouses, parents and in-laws can be a predatory enemy if they oppose the Christian who puts loyalty to God over loyalty to the family.
Teachers. Most parents rely on public school teachers to provide a sound education for their children. As degreed professionals who spend many years in the classroom, teachers can be a great source of not only instruction, but also motivation and character shaping. But, they can also be potential wolves by promoting secular values (e.g., no standard of right & wrong, situational ethics, "safe" sex, evolution).
Media. In our modern culture, we are surrounded by multiple organizations that seek to inform and entertain us via news channels, talk radio, movies, music, video games, Facebook, Twitter, and so on. The wise lamb will quickly recognize the voices of predatory wolves promoting worldly, anti-Christian values (e.g., Rom. 1:18-32, 1 Cor. 6:9-10, Gal. 5:16-21).
"Christians". Heb. 10:19-25 highlights the value and importance of regularly associating ourselves with fellow sheep in a faithful flock for mutual encouragement. But as the New Testament warns, not everyone who claims to be one of Jesus' sheep really is. That includes not only our "religious" neighbors, but also people in religious leadership positions. As Matt. 7:15-27, 1 Cor. 1:10-12, and 2 Tim. 3:1-9 warn, beware of the potential wolf who would promote lax attitudes toward:
- Bible authority (e.g., "It doesn’t matter what you believe so long as you are honest and sincere.", "Join the church of your choice.")
- Faithfully obeying God (e.g., "Faith Only", "Once Saved, Always Saved")
- Moral purity (e.g., "What is wrong with a little social drink, using euphemisms instead of raw profanity, wearing sexually attractive clothing, etc.?")
Ourselves. "I've been a church-going member for many years. I know what the Bible says. I love God. I can trust myself." Be careful - you may be a victim of the wolf within, especially if that voice says things like "God wants me to be happy.", "It is just a small sin. No one will know. After all, I deserve it.", or "People better agree with me because I can’t be wrong." As 1 Cor. 10:12 warns, "Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall."
"Trust, but Verify". With many kinds of predatory wolves both around us and disguised among us, what should we do? Realistically, how can we be "wise as serpents" and yet "harmless as doves"? Consider:
- “Love suffers long and is kind; . . . does not behave rudely, . . . thinks no evil; . . . rejoices in the truth; . . . believes all things, . . .” (1 Cor. 13:4-7 )
- “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits.” (Matt. 7:15-16)
- “Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world.” (1 John 4:1)
- “Now these things, brethren, I have figuratively transferred to myself and Apollos for your sakes, that you may learn in us not to think beyond what is written, that none of you may be puffed up on behalf of one against the other.” (1 Cor. 4:6)
- “For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves. Therefore watch, and remember that for three years I did not cease to warn everyone night and day with tears. So now, brethren, I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified." (Act 20:29-32)
Conclusion. "The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want." What a beautiful expression of faith, trust, and confidence in the "Good Shepherd"! But we need to obediently follow Him and heed his warnings about the ever-present danger of savage, ravenous wolves that would destroy us given a chance. Especially dangerous are wolves in disguise who seem trustworthy, but in reality are not.