If you bite and devour each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other.

-Galatians 5:15, NIV

“Beware of false prophets who come disguised as harmless sheep but are really vicious wolves.”

-Matthew 7:15, NLT

Not everyone who comes to you as a “sheep” is one of Jesus’ flock.

God knows. And you can know by taking note of the fruit flowing from their words.

Do they produce love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, and self-control (fruits of Holy Spirit)? Or do they produce condemnation, shame, and “death?”

I would apply this test to both lay “Christians” and pastors alike. Jesus warns us about those pastors or prophets who look like sheep but are really wolves.

Pay attention to the fruit.

A pastoral care mentor of mine, Pastor Tom Buchan, pointed to this verse in Galatians 5:15 telling me, “Sheep bite.” He was fully aware that we can be rather mean to each other in the church. The Apostle Paul clearly understood  this as well.

Pastor Tom also shared another important insight. Sometimes we are tempted to believe the pain we are experiencing from other “sheep” is just as described in Galatians 5:15. But as God impressed upon Pastor Tom, sometimes God says about those biting:

“They are NOT my sheep!”

I find that comforting, oddly.

It is comforting to be reminded that not all wounds inflicted by those appearing to be sheep are truly inflicted by fellow sheep. Some are inflicted by wolves wearing sheep’s clothes.

 

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*A version of this post ran previously.