Matthew 7:15, NKJV
In this world, people are driven by their own needs. It is purely human nature. Our flesh is a relentless beast who continuously needs to eat. When it goes hungry, it throws a tantrum to get its way RIGHT NOW! It doesn’t care about anything and anyone else. Its only goal is to eat! The more food it gets, the more it wants. It is never satisfied.
What kind of food do you ask?
“Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God” (Galatians 5:19-21, NKJV).
… Beware of people who do not have good intentions
Paul explains all the works of the flesh, which are the “food” for the beast. The only person who’s ever walked this earth that is innocent is Jesus Christ. Every single human being has fallen victim to the flesh beast in some way with one of these acts. Not one person is better than the next because we all have this flesh desire within us through the nature of sin. It’s not our place to judge others. However, Jesus wants us to be aware of people who do not have good intentions.
As a Christian person, I know that I am guilty of those sinful ways Paul describes. I have accepted Jesus Christ as my personal Savior, and I rely on His Holy Spirit to guide me. Once I accepted Jesus, it didn’t remove the ways of my flesh from me. I learned the truth about my habits and the grace God gave me. I still struggle with them because I am weak in my flesh.
How many times has that happened to you?
As soon as I have an outburst of anger, or there is dissension in my heart, I’m convicted. I have to continuously step aside and let the Holy Spirit work, so I don’t feed the flesh beast. It’s really hard not to react to certain things in my flesh.
Stressors occur in my life, and no matter how short-lived it puts me in a raw state. I’m running on adrenaline and not thinking as clearly as I would otherwise.
Jesus knows all of this because He searches my heart, just as He searches yours.
We have a pillar of strength in Jesus to help us, convict us, and correct us through His love and salvation.
John 14:13-14, NKJV
Conviction is from the Holy Spirit
People who have not accepted Jesus as their Savior don’t have the same outlook. They don’t have the pull of the Holy Spirit within them to guide them with the fruits of the Spirit. When Jesus taught about false prophets, He wanted His disciples (and us) to be aware of people who will try to deceive them, use them, and devour their spirit.
He wanted you to know how to spot a wolf in sheep’s clothing. They can use kindness to shield their true intentions. They want something and they’ll trick you until they get it. You won’t even know until it seems like it’s too late.
Jesus says, “You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles?”
Matthew 7:16, NKJV
Someone can tell you one thing, but you will know their priorities by what they do. Really study how they spend their time and how they treat other people. You will see if they are a sheep or a wolf. We are all sinners; however, people who are far from God will not have the kind of loving fear of Him that you do.
The fruits of the spirit are love, kindness, gentleness, long-suffering, joy, peace, faithfulness, and self-control. Remember this when selecting those whom you spend time. Those who are sharing bad fruit may surprise you. In these situations, it’s essential to remain humble but aware.
You know how to spot the wolf in sheep’s clothing, now what?
Let it go. Don’t try to figure it out or analyze everything until you can’t think anymore. It’s wasted time to try and understand why. It just doesn’t have to do with you. It’s not about you. People like this will choose themselves over you every time.
Jesus warns against this because He wants you to put on the armor of God. He doesn’t want you to be deceived by them and pulled away from His purpose in your life. He is your personal Savior and wants to have a relationship with you. The Holy Spirit will help you have discernment about people around you.
Once you know how to spot the wolf in sheep’s clothing, here are five ways to arm yourself:
1. Pray every day
Building a relationship with Jesus will bring you closer to Him. The closer you are, the more you are filled with the Holy Spirit. You start to live your life for Him and not yourself. You begin to see His purpose for you and have an overwhelming peace
2. Read
Get in the word of God. The farther you are from it, the less you will remember. Know the truth by going right to the source. You may be surprised at how you can read the same verse many times, but on a particular day, it will have a different meaning to you.
3. Trust God to guide you through it
There are always tough times in life. Often at these times, certain people may show up to provide a seemingly effortless way out. Trust God and ask for understanding. He’ll show you the way.
4. Seek Counsel
If there is someone near you that has a strong love for God, seek them out. Jesus says you will “know them by their fruits” (Matt 7:16). You will know the faithful members of Jesus’ church because they will share the truth from God’s word. They are the people who are honest with you when others simply tell you what you want to hear. It may not always be the “leaders” in the church. Remember, know them by their fruits.
5. Obedience
The most important thing you can do is to listen to God. It’s so simple, yet so hard for us to do in our flesh. Listening to God’s voice and not your own when making choices in your life will help you have a greater awareness. The more you submit, the more He will guide you toward people and situations for His purpose. It takes practice every single day.
I hope you feel encouraged by this, and choose to spend time with God to have a good sense of discernment in your life. Please feel free to comment on the struggle to spot the wolves in your own life.
God bless you!