Sheep’s Clothing

Sheep’s Clothing

“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves.” Matt. 7:15.

“Then Jesus spoke to the multitudes and to His disciples, saying, ‘The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat. Therefore whatever they tell you to observe, that observe and do, but do not do according to their works; for they say, and do not do.” Matt. 23:1-3.

The Pharisees were false prophets who wore sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they were ravenous wolves. They were whitewashed graves. Outwardly, they had the appearance of being righteous in the eyes of man, but inwardly they were full of hypocrisy and unrighteousness. They were sitting in Moses’ seat. Jesus said they say, but do not do. Many people put on sheep’s clothing and fool the people by saying what is right, but if you put the spotlight on their lives, they do not do what they say. These kinds of people corrupt God’s work on earth. Jude compares them to clouds without water. When a person confesses that he is a Christian, people expect him to live a Christian life; but if they meet the old life of sin, hypocrisy, conceit, and luxurious living instead, their faith is broken down.

They sit in Moses’ seat. They had the right doctrine; what they said was good and true. Their clothing was in order. They bound heavy burdens that were difficult to bear on people’s shoulders, but they would not touch them with their own finger. There are also people in our days who are not afraid to speak the truth. They can use strong words when they speak about giving to God’s work, and they put heavy burdens on people, but they themselves live a life of abundance and in the vanity of this world. They can speak about contentment and righteousness and get people to live a life of self-denial, but one day people discover them living in gluttony and unrighteousness. They discover the ravenous wolf underneath the sheep’s clothing. As a result their faith is quite often broken down, and in their eyes Christianity is no longer how Paul defines it: “Follow me just as I follow Christ” (1 Cor. 11:1), and “Brethren, join in following my example, and note those who so walk, as you have us for a pattern.” Phil. 3:17. Now these false prophets have come to the point of saying: “Do not look at me; look at Jesus!” They feel insecure in their sheep’s clothing and would rather not have their lives investigated.

Jesus says to beware of such prophets. He says this after He had exhorted them to enter through the strait gate. Walking through the strait gate and on the narrow way is doing God’s will; it leads to life, but only a few go through the strait gate. These false prophets call walking on the narrow way bondage. For them it is liberty to say it but not to do it. These people stand at the strait gate when a soul wants to press in through his own “I” to the obedience of Christ, and as the soul is fighting, they promise him liberty. They put on sheep’s clothing and cite glorious promises about Jesus having done everything and that we shall do nothing, with the result that the soul does not get rid of his old life. He becomes only a nominal Christian who has the appearance of godliness, but without power.

You, who are possibly standing by the strait gate, listen to Jesus’ warning: “Beware of false prophets!” May God help us who know that they have a calling over their lives, to work the obedience of faith among people and expose these wolves in sheep’s clothing. May God give grace that none may be found among us who adorn themselves with the right doctrine and knowledge, but do not live it.