Introduction

Good morning, beloved family of God. Isn't it a blessing to be gathered here today, in the house of the Lord, surrounded by the fellowship of believers? We are here, not by coincidence, but by divine appointment. God has a word for us today, a word that is as timely as it is timeless.

In the words of the great preacher Charles Spurgeon, "Discernment is not a matter of simply telling the difference between right and wrong; rather it is telling the difference between right and almost right." This quote is not just a powerful statement, but a compass directing us to the heart of today's sermon.

Our focus today is found in the book of Matthew, chapters 7 and 10, and in the book of Acts, chapter 20. Let's read these passages together.

Matthew 7:15-20 says, "Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them."

Matthew 10:16 reads, "I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves."

And finally, Acts 20:29 says, "I know that after I leave, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock."

These Scriptures are a clarion call to vigilance, discernment, and resistance. They pull back the curtain on the reality of spiritual wolves, and they challenge us to recognize and resist the hunger for power that can so easily lead us astray.

Recognizing Red Flags

In the book of Matthew, Jesus warns us about false prophets who come in sheep's clothing but are inwardly ferocious wolves. This is a powerful metaphor that speaks to the deceptive nature of these individuals. They appear harmless, even friendly, on the outside, but their true intentions are harmful. They are not genuine sheep of the flock, but predators in disguise. This is a call for us to be discerning, to be vigilant. It's not enough to take things at face value. We must look deeper, beyond the surface, to the heart of the matter. We must be able to recognize the red flags that signal danger.

Examining the fruit that a person bears: In other words, we should look at their actions, their behaviors, their character. Are they consistent with the teachings of Christ? Do they demonstrate love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control? Or do they exhibit traits that are contrary to these fruits of the Spirit? This is not a call to be judgmental, but to be discerning. It's not about condemning others, but about protecting ourselves and our fellow believers from harm. It's about ensuring that we are not led astray by those who may appear to be part of the flock, but are actually wolves in sheep's clothing.

Matthew 10:16: Jesus tells His disciples, "I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves." This is another call to discernment. It's a reminder that we are living in a world that is often hostile to the teachings of Christ. We are surrounded by influences that can lead us astray if we are not careful.

Being shrewd as snakes: This means being wise, being discerning. It means being able to recognize the tactics of the enemy and to resist them. It means being able to see through the deception and to stand firm in the truth.

Being innocent as doves: This means being pure, being blameless. It means not participating in the harmful behaviors and attitudes that the world often promotes. It means living in a way that is consistent with the teachings of Christ, even when it's not popular or easy to do so.

Acts 20:29: the apostle Paul warns the elders of the church in Ephesus, "I know that after I leave, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock." This is a sobering reminder that the threat of spiritual wolves is not just a distant possibility, but a present reality.

Insiders: These wolves are not just outsiders, but can be insiders as well. They can be people who are part of the church, who appear to be genuine believers, but whose intentions are not pure. They can be people who use their position or influence to lead others astray, to cause division, to promote false teachings. This is why it's so important for us to be vigilant, to be discerning. We must be able to recognize these wolves in sheep's clothing and to resist their influence. We must be able to stand firm in the truth, to hold fast to the teachings of Christ, to guard the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

Revealing the Realities of Wolves

The Scriptures we read earlier paint a vivid picture of the spiritual wolves we are likely to encounter. These wolves, as Jesus warns us in Matthew 7:15, come to us in sheep's clothing. They blend in, looking just like the rest of the flock. Yet, beneath their woolly exterior, they are ferocious predators, ready to tear apart the unity and peace of the church.

Their deceptive nature: They don't announce their intentions or reveal their true character upfront. Instead, they disguise themselves, often appearing as the most devout and committed members of the church. They know the right words to say, the right actions to take, and the right people to align with. They are masters of manipulation, using their knowledge of the Scriptures and the church's culture to gain trust and influence.

Their destructive impact: In Acts 20:29, Paul warns the elders of the church in Ephesus that after his departure, savage wolves will come in among them and will not spare the flock. These wolves are not just a threat to individual believers; they are a threat to the entire church community.

Their goal is not just to lead people astray: It’s to cause division and strife within the church. They sow seeds of discord and suspicion, undermining the unity and harmony of the church. They exploit vulnerabilities, magnify differences, and stoke the flames of conflict. Their actions can cause lasting damage, tearing apart relationships and leaving deep wounds in their wake.

Their resistance to the truth: In Matthew 10:16, Jesus tells His disciples to be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves. This implies a need for discernment and wisdom in dealing with these wolves. They are not easily swayed by the truth, nor are they likely to repent and change their ways. Instead, they twist the truth to suit their own purposes, using it as a weapon to deceive and manipulate others.

Word study: The term "wolves" used in these passages is the Greek word "lukos". This word is used metaphorically in the New Testament to describe individuals or groups who are destructive and dangerous. In addition to the passages we've looked at today, it is also used in Luke 10:3 where Jesus sends out the seventy-two disciples, warning them that He is sending them out like lambs among wolves. This usage underscores the vulnerability of the disciples and the danger posed by those who oppose the message of the Gospel.

We are not helpless in the face of these wolves: Jesus has given us the tools we need to recognize and resist them. We have the Holy Spirit to guide us, the Scriptures to instruct us, and the community of believers to support us. We are not alone in this battle, and with God's help, we can stand firm against the wolves that threaten to tear apart our church.

Resisting the Hunger for Power

Resisting the Hunger for Power, our final point, draws us into the heart of the matter ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO