What is a Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing?
It surely doesn’t mean every man and woman who professes to be a Christian but isn’t really one. There is a type of false Christian much more subtle and depraved than the typical nominal Christian. This type of false Christian COULDN’T get elected into a major political office. He is too biblical and orthodox in his stated doctrine and beliefs for that to happen in America and any nation for that matter. The wolf in sheep’s clothing is the false prophet warned about by Jude in the Book of Jude and by Peter in 2 Peter chapter 2.
“11 Woe unto them! for they have gone in the way of Cain, and ran greedily after the error of Balaam for reward, and perished in the gainsaying of Core. 12 These are spots in your feasts of charity, when they feast with you, feeding themselves without fear: clouds they are without water, carried about of winds; trees whose fruit withereth, without fruit, twice dead, plucked up by the roots” (Jude 11-12)
Wolves in sheep’s clothing are those who mingle with God’s people in godly churches (spots in YOUR feasts of charity) and appear to be real Christians (among those who have anything less than the keenest discernment- and even then, it may take some time to discern them) as they hate and subtly attack the godly, prey upon God’s people and entice money and/or other covetous gain out of them; and undermine godly shepherds by subtly murmuring against them as they seek to be lords over the flock of God- most of the time with a smile on their face and an apparent zeal for the Lord.
Those applying the title of wolf in sheep’s clothing to professing Christian political figures in the world who don’t really understand what it means to call themselves Christians and who only deceive those with little to no discernment anyways into thinking they are genuine Christians, while also not intentionally bringing their corruption into godly fellowships (which we know most churches don’t qualify as anyways)- these really aren’t wolves in sheep’s clothing as defined by the Scriptures. This matters because generally applying the title to the political figures and celebrities of the world who profess to be Christians in their confused, limited understanding of Christianity blinds to the real wolves in sheep’s clothing who are a true danger to God’s people and a true danger to the purity of Christ’s testimony among those who really are bearing that testimony.
This is all connected back to the introduction of Jude’s epistle: “3 Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints. 4 For there are certain men crept in (to godly fellowships) unawares (i.e. secretly/undiscerned), who were before of old ordained to this condemnation (i.e. appointed to condemnation by the example set through the judgment of the ungodly in the Old Testament), ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Jude 3-4)
“But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you (in Christian assemblies, among fellowships filled with real Christians), who privily (i.e. secretly/subtly) shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. 2 And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. 3 And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you (i.e. godly Christians within your Christian assemblies– this is not Donald Trump nor even Hilary Clinton or Barack Obama- though I have no doubt that Hilary and Obama could have been such a person if there wasn’t bigger money for themselves going in the direction they chose to go in since they are so unprincipled and such good liars- this is the preacher who can sound so good and look so right week after week, masquerading as a messenger of Christ in a Bible-believing assembly- someone that even the godliest saints would have a hard time spotting and whom even the less discerning saints would take offense, at least at first, were they to be called out as a wolf): whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not.” (2 Peter 2:1-3)
Such men typically show themselves when victories for God’s kingdom are visibly apparent (especially when New Testament churches are begun, under godly leadership, and beginning to thrive), as Satan will always mount a counterattack after these victories are seen. “24 Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field: 25 But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way. 26 But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also.” (Matthew 13:24-26)
The Conservative politicians can be misleading; the Communists and Socialists are certainly inherently evil and potentially dangerous; but the greatest human dangers to God’s people however are the wolves in sheep’s clothing who live in and promote lawlessness against God in the most subtle, hard to spot ways while usurping honor and authority among flocks of real believers; while often making a living financially at the same time as they convince people that supporting them is supporting God’s work. These subtly corrupt the Christian, destroy churches (at least when it comes to purity), and seduce believers to fall away into apostasy.
Let us be sober and vigilant!!
“15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.16 But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness.17 And their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus;18 Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some. 19 Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity (i.e. from lawlessness).” (2 Timothy 2:15-19)
“13 Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.14 Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.15 And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you;16 As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest (i.e. twist), as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction. 17 Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness. 18 But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.” (2 Peter 3:13-18)