LEARNING FROM WOLF ATTACKS

Have you seen the influence of a wolf in a flock of sheep? Unless the wolf is dealt with, the sheep scatter in fear. They panic as one of their group is destroyed by the predator.

There are spiritual wolves in Windsor and any other community you may have lived in. If you have been abused, led astray or deceived by an alleged spiritual leader you will be hesitant to trust again. You may have been infected and damaged by their destructive behavior.

How can you learn from wolf attacks and be prepared for future dangers?

It starts with the recognition that you were vulnerable and deceived. No one plans to be fooled or seduced by a wolf. Predators watch for vulnerabilities. They look for blind trust and people who are impressed with results.

Prophecy is a valuable gift in the church. We are encouraged to seek God’s message delivered through members of the faith community. We need to be willing to let God use us to prophesy. Do you know that wolves can also prophesy?

Deliverance from demons is part of the gospel. Wolves might even pull that off.

Miracles from God are signs of the Kingdom. Wolves can do miracles.

All of the supernatural attributes are intended to operate amongst God’s people. They are good gifts, but they do not signify that the one acting has godly character.

Matthew 7:

 ²¹ “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. ²² Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ ²³ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’

At issue is the fruit that grows in a life. You can put a strawberry in a thorn-bush. It did not grow there. But you may think it did.

The image of the tree and the fruit reminds us that behavior flows from character, and in Christian teaching character comes through being born again rather than merely through self-discipline. Our own best efforts at restructuring unregenerate human nature are doomed to failure (Gal 5:19-21). By contrast, a person transformed by and consistently dependent on the power of God's Spirit will live according to the traits of God's character because of God's empowerment, just as trees bear fruit according to their own kind (Gal 5:18, 22-23).[i]

Wolf bites require help from the Great Shepherd. He knows how to bring healing to a ravaged lamb. He can cleanse the infection left by the bites and abrasions. He can mend broken bones and still the beating heart.

When trust is lost, you may question whether you will ever trust again. That is understandable. What can we learn from wolf attacks?

     1.     We need to be vigilant and pay careful attention to what grows out of a person’s life. Trust is earned from observing something deeper than a person’s ability to get results.

     2.     Wolves have a taste for blood. They will plan elaborate con games to get their appetites satisfied. They masquerade as knowledgeable teachers with a message from God. Every teacher should come under a stricter judgment because of the trust they receive. Avoid teachers who put others down and claim exclusive rights to God’s message.

     3.     Wolves are most likely to attack sheep that are at a distance from the shepherd. Find good shepherds to follow as a protection from false prophets and false teachers. Remember character is more important than charisma.

     4.     Bring gentle correction and guidance to the more vulnerable sheep in the flock. If you are spiritual, bring healthy direction to those who habitually wander and get lost. A flock needs to stick together. Wise sheep recognize the need to stay in a group.

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[i] IVP New Testament Commentary