What does the wolf say?

As children, my brother, sister and I were well loved.  While no parents are perfect, ours took daily initiative to teach us, to guide us, to read with us and to teach us about God.  They provided for us, listened to us and celebrated our successes, be they big leaps or incremental steps.

And because they loved us, our parents also warned us of life’s harsh realities.  Their tone could be stern and appropriately so, for their aim was to get our attention and protect us from the consequences of poor decisions.  Their vantage point was much higher and more informed than ours, and it meant everything to them that we not be naive, but wise to the ways of a world we had yet to experience.

It was in this kind of proactive protection that Jesus warned his followers, “Watch out for false prophets.  They come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves.”  Why? Because they would lead us away from the Father and his will.

So how do we detect these fangs in fleece, anyway?  Jesus says simply to consider the fruit, for actions and words proceed from the heart.  If they don’t line up with those of the Word of God, what appears to be a outwardly ovine may well be camouflaged canine.  Here are some examples of false prophet-speak ...

The wolf says, “You have your ticket to heaven, so whatever you do is all right.”  The Good Shepherd says, “Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.”  His point was this: true belief evidences itself in obedience to God.

The wolf says, “God wants you to be happy, so indulge in whatever feels right!”  The Word says, “We died to sin; how can we live in it any longer?”  Our sin nature only desires that which is contrary to the Spirit, so we are called to submit our words and actions not to our feelings, but to God.

The wolf says, “You’re too busy to serve.”  The Bible says, “Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who ... made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.”  It’s putting “love your neighbor as yourself” into action.

The wolf says, “If you share the gospel, you might offend someone.”  The Lamb of God says, “go and make disciples of all nations...”  Aren’t we glad someone shared Jesus Christ with us?

Like the caring parents who know far more than their children, God warns us to beware the wolves among us, for they would lead us astray.  So we do well to be wise as serpents and gentle as doves.  And don’t cozy up to carnivores.

[Click here to see today's reading in Matthew 7:15-23.]