Watch Out For Wolves In Sheep’s Clothing
Beware of wolves in sheep’s clothing. Is it a cliché or a legitimate warning? Is it a joke or the truth?
Similar to the time of Jesus and the Apostolic Church, most of the wolves are smooth talkers. Just like the final anti-Christ will be.
They say the things we want to hear and that sounds good. It’s what makes them so effective.
All the following quotes are from heretics and apostates by their own beliefs and teachings.
So many of these prosperity preachers spin a good web. And it doesn’t have to be about money. Take the following quotes, for instance.
Quotes from a few of the modern-day heretics/apostates
Joel Osteen
The author of “Your Best Life Now.” According to that logic, there’s no reason to go to Heaven if this is as good as it’s going to get.
“The more you talk about negative things in your life, the more you call them in. Speak victory, not defeat.” – Joel Osteen
As so many others have done, he’s most likely misquoting verse 21 of the 18th Proverb. He’s more or less referring to the first half and then completely leaving off the second.
“The tongue has the power of life and death…”
But the verse actually says,
“The tongue has the power of life and death and those who love it will eat its fruit.” – Proverbs 18:21
It’s important to understand, they drop the second half because it doesn’t make sense. Well, it doesn’t make sense because they took it out of context by leaving out verse 20.
“From the fruit of their mouth a person’s stomach is filled; with the harvest of their lips they are satisfied.” – Proverbs 18:20
That verse doesn’t say that we can speak things into existence. We’re not God. We can’t speak life. Rather, those verses are referring to individuals who speak to satisfy themselves not others.
Proverbs 18 as a whole talks about individuals who wrong others. Verse 7 actually helps us better understand what verse 21 is trying to convey.
“The mouths of fools are their undoing, and their lips are a snare to their very lives.” – Proverbs 18:7
No, we can’t speak life! But we can encourage and build each other up.
“So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:11
“And let’s consider how to encourage one another in love and good deeds.” – Hebrews 10:24
Joyce Meyer
“If you don’t love yourself, it’s impossible for you to love others. You can’t give away what you don’t have.” – Joyce Meyer
First, Joyce Meyer, or any other woman for that matter, should neither be a pastor nor teach men. Not because I said so. Because the Bible says so.
“So a church leader must be a man whose life is above reproach. He must be faithful to his wife. He must exercise self-control, live wisely, and have a good reputation. He must enjoy having guests in his home, and he must be able to teach.” – 1 Timothy 3:2
The word used for the church leader is “episkopon.” It means overseer or a leader in the church. Such titles as Pastor, Elder, and Bishop. Overseer was also used as an official title in civil life (i.e., Ruler and Supervisor). The word is a noun that’s both singular and masculine.
“I do not let women teach men or have authority over them. Let them listen quietly. For God made Adam first, and afterward he made Eve. And it was not Adam who was deceived by Satan. The woman was deceived, and sin was the result.” – 1 Timothy 2:12-14
Okay, in response to her quote.
“We love because He first loved us.” – 1 John 4:19
We love because “God is love” and He first loved us. Not, we love others because we first loved ourselves.
You can have love and not be a child of God. But you can’t be a child of God and not have love.
Bill Johnson
“Fear is a thief. It robbed Peter of a perfectly good walk on water and kept the other eleven in the boat.” – Bill Johnson
Because Bill Johnson said it, you shouldn’t be afraid of anything. After all, it was fear that stopped Peter and the other Apostles from walking on the water. Therefore, as long as we don’t let it steal from us, we should never have anything to be afraid of. Right?
Okay, let’s set the scene.
“Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of Him to the other side, while He dismissed the crowd. After He had dismissed them, He went up on a mountainside by Himself to pray. Later that night, He was there alone, and the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it.
“Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. When the disciples saw Him walking on the lake, they were terrified. ‘It’s a ghost,’ they said, and cried out in fear.
“But Jesus immediately said to them: ‘Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.’
“’Lord, if it’s you,’ Peter replied, ‘tell me to come to you on the water.’
“’Come,’ He said.
“Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water, and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, ‘Lord, save me!’
“Immediately Jesus reached out His hand and caught him. ‘You of little faith,’ He said, ‘why did you doubt?’
“And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. Then those who were in the boat worshiped Him, saying, ‘Truly you are the Son of God.’” – Matthew 14:22-33
Was it really fear or lack of trust? Initially, the passage of scripture tells us that they were afraid. Not of the waves, because many of them were seasoned fishermen. But because they thought Jesus was a ghost.
Peter was not afraid of the water, because he was willing to get out of the boat to meet Jesus on it. He only began to sink when he doubted. When he lost trust.
Fear hits us all, one way or another. Jesus feared His own death to the point that He was sweating blood. But He trusted God’s plan.
“Jesus went out as usual to the Mount of Olives, and his disciples followed him. On reaching the place, He said to them, ‘Pray that you will not fall into temptation.’ He withdrew about a stone’s throw beyond them, knelt down and prayed, ‘Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.’ An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him. And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground.” – Luke 22:39-44
Moses feared speaking before Pharoah, but he trusted God’s plan.
“But Moses again pleaded, ‘Lord, please! Send anyone else.’
“Then the Lord became angry with Moses. ‘All right,’ he said. ‘What about your brother, Aaron the Levite? I know he speaks well. And look! He is on his way to meet you now. He will be delighted to see you. Talk to him and put the words in his mouth. I will be with both of you as you speak, and I will instruct you both in what to do. Aaron will be your spokesman to the people. He will be your mouthpiece, and you will stand in the place of God for him, telling him what to say.’” – Exodus 4:13-16
Zach Williams has a song, “Fear is a Liar.” It sounds good, but it’s not true. The Bible doesn’t say that fear is a liar. Rather, it says that Satan (the devil) is “a liar and the father of lies.”
“For you are the children of your father the devil, and you love to do the evil things he does. He was a murderer from the beginning. He has always hated the truth because there is no truth in him. When he lies, it is consistent with his character; for he is a liar and the father of lies.” – John 8:44
Fear is not a thief and not a liar. It’s real and none of us can escape it. Though, it can be an excellent motivator.
Rick Warren
Below are two quotes from Rick Warren:
“When you give someone your time, you are giving them a portion of your life that you’ll never get back. Your time is your life. That is why the greatest gift you can give someone is your time.” –Rick Warren
Is your time really the greatest gift you can give someone? Absolutely not. Your time is finite. But your soul is eternal. Where you spend eternity matters. If all you’re doing is giving your time and not telling others about Jesus, then you haven’t listened to what Jesus said is the greatest commandment.
“He answered, ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; and ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” – Luke 10:27
“And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength.” – Deuteronomy 6:5
First, love God with all your heart, mind, body, and soul. Then love your neighbor as yourself. So,we first need to listen to Jesus’ command referred to as the Great Commission. Which encompasses both the first and second commandments He set forth.
“Jesus came and told his disciples, ‘I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.’” – Matthew 28:18-20
I could provide multiple quotes from all of these heretics. But I wanted to make sure to include this one as well. Rick Warren says that we can forgive ourselves.
“Forgiveness is a gift we give ourselves that allows us to get on with our lives instead of being trapped in the past by resentment.” – Rick Warren
The Bible tells us that we are to forgive others who ask for our forgiveness.
“Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, ‘Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?’
“Jesus answered, ‘I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.’” – Matthew 18:21-22
“Make allowance for each other’s faults and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.” – Colossians 3:13
However, the Bible doesn’t say that we can forgive ourselves or our own sins. That’s heresy. As believers, we’re called to forgive others who sin against us. But only God can forgive us of our sins.
“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” – 1 John 1:9
“If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins.” – Matthew 6:14-15
Wolves in Sheep’s Clothing
In the Bible, there are several references to wolves in sheep’s clothing. What exactly does that mean?
“Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves.” – Matthew 7:15
The Bible doesn’t always label them as wolves. However, the principle is still the same.
“And now I make one more appeal, my dear brothers, and sisters. Watch out for people who cause divisions and upset people’s faith by teaching things contrary to what you have been taught. Stay away from them. Such people are not serving Christ our Lord; they are serving their own personal interests. By smooth talk and glowing words, they deceive innocent people.” – Romans 16:17-18
Why is it important?
“Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood. I know that after I leave, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock. Even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples after them. So be on your guard!” – Acts 20:28-31a
“And what I am doing I will continue to do, in order to undermine the claim of those who would like to claim that in their boasted mission they work on the same terms as we do. For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. So, it is no surprise if his servants, also, disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. Their end will correspond to their deeds.” – 2 Corinthians 11:12-15
“Preach the word of God. Be prepared, whether the time is favorable or not. Patiently correct, rebuke, and encourage your people with good teaching.
“For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to sound and wholesome teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever their itching ears want to hear. They will reject the truth and chase after myths.” – 2 Timothy 4:2-4
Just as there are several false teachers in the world today, there were many during the time of Jesus and the Apostolic church.
“But there were also false prophets in Israel, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will cleverly teach destructive heresies and even deny the Master who bought them. In this way, they will bring sudden destruction on themselves. Many will follow their evil teaching and shameful immorality. And because of these teachers, the way of truth will be slandered. In their greed they will make up clever lies to get hold of your money. But God condemned them long ago, and their destruction will not be delayed.” – 2 Peter 2:1-3
We see such heretics and apostates in the Word of Faith movement, Pentecostalism, the New Apostolic Reformation, etc. And it’s been going on for a very long time.
Long before heretics and apostates like Benny Hinn, Kenneth Copeland, Pat Robertson, T.D. Jakes, Joyce Meyer, Joel Osteen, Bill Johnson, Billy Graham, Steven Furtick, Rick Warren, Beth Moore, Max Lucado, Brian Houston, etc. The list goes on and on.
Do you know why there are so many of them? Because people keep paying them. Each one of those listed above are or were multi-millionaires. And none of them inherited their wealth, made it through stocks, or in the corporate world.
Rather, all of them became multi-millionaires by telling falsehoods through misquoting or outright lying about what the Bible says.
Why does it matter if they lie to make their money?
Even if you don’t follow or believe them, there are those who will. Especially those who don’t check to see what the Bible says.
It’s necessary to test what they say against scripture. Otherwise, the person teaching could tell you whatever they wanted to. Whether that be truth or lies.
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