Wolves in Sheep's Clothing
Posted by: forthrightmag <forthrightmag@...>
http://www.forthright.net
Going straight to the Cross
It's nothing new, and still happening. Don't be
fooled.
Wolves in Sheep's Clothing
by Emmett Smith
Among this past week's news stories were a couple
that illustrate the concept of wolves in sheep's
clothing.
One dealt with a Danish Lutheran minister who was
quoted as having said, "there is no heavenly God,
there is no eternal life, there is no
resurrection." The article dealt with the various
responses to such a shocking statement from a
purported man of God. Interestingly, there was a
supportive statement from the leader of Denmark's
Theological College of Education, who was quoted
as saying the minister's remarks were
"refreshing."
The other story was about the election of an
openly homosexual Episcopal Bishop in New
Hampshire.
Of course, such incidents as these are nothing
new. The evil one has always sought to clothe
himself in religious legitimacy. And Jesus himself
warned us to beware of false prophets who would
appear in sheep's clothing, but inwardly are
hungry wolves (Matthew 7:15). Paul used similar
language in Acts 20, where he told the elders of
the church at Ephesus that grievous wolves would
enter in among them. It's interesting that Paul
predicted the apostasy would be spread from among
the elders. And as we look at the many religious
denominations in today's world that are obviously
infiltrated by false teachers, many of whom are
"theologians" in the institutions of higher
learning, we would be well advised to take a look
among ourselves.
As Peter said in 2 Peter 2:1, "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."
Who would have ever thought that a self professed
Christian would deny the very existence of God?
And yet Peter plainly stated that these false
teachers would even deny the Lord that bought
them! However, most false teachers won't go so far
as to take such a public stance ... at least not
until they think they've garnered adequate
support.
No, the false doctrines will be subtle at first.
Precept upon precept, line upon line, here a
little, there a little, to paraphrase Isaiah.
That's why we always need to study. We need to
emulate the Bereans, who readily listened to
Paul's teaching, but then searched the scriptures
daily to make sure he was telling it like it is.
As Paul said to the Corinthians, "let him who
thinks he is standing securely beware of falling"
(1 Corinthians 10:12).
God's word is alive and powerful. A studying,
literate body of Christians is unlikely to be
misled.
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