In this passage Jesus issues a warning to his audience – specifically, that false prophets will come and try to deceive his followers. Similar warnings about false teachers and false doctrines show up in several places in the New Testament, including 2 Peter 2:1, 1 Timothy 4:1-2, 2 Timothy 4:3-4, Colossians 2:8, and Galatians 1:6-8.
Churches need to be prepared to handle these threats.
How Do We Prevent It?
In John 10, Jesus explains that his disciples know his voice, and that they won’t even respond to a stranger in the first place. One of the greatest ways to make sure you’re not deceived is to know your shepherd’s voice for yourself. Spend time with him in prayer and spend time in His word. This is the responsibility of every believer; it’s not something your pastor can do for you.
How Do We Identify It?
What if a church couldn’t prevent a wolf from getting in? How do you know if there’s a wolf in your presence? Jesus says you can identify them by their bad fruit. These would be characteristics that are contrary to Jesus and his commands – someone who is unloving, unkind, impatient, selfish, arrogant, etc. A true disciple of Jesus will bear good fruit – things like the fruit of the spirit from Galatians 5.
It’s also important to identify the costume this wolf will wear. What is the sheeps’ clothing exactly? It’s anything that would make this person look like an average Christian. It could be good church attendance, it could be a familiarity with scripture, it could be holding a title in the church, or the ability to speak “Christianese.” These things aren’t good fruit in and of themselves, but they can be used to deceive us into thinking someone is a disciple. Don’t look at the outward appearance, look at the fruit.
How Do We Handle It?
Generally speaking, there’s a biblical theme of gentle and humble correction and restoration. But if a wolf insists on being a wolf, it has to be dealt with. Jesus says that a bad tree will be cut down and burned. Wolves cannot be allowed to stay in the church, or they will poison the culture and attack the sheep. God’s church is too precious to allow that to happen.
"But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction." 2 Peter 2:1
“Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron…” 1 Timothy 4:1-2
"For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables." 2 Timothy 4:3-4
"Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ." Colossians 2:8
“I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.” Galatians 1:6-8
