Protecting Your Sheep From Wolves Wes Woodell twitter.com/weswoodell facebook.com/weswoodell...

Protecting Your Sheep From Wolves

Wes Woodell


Wes Woodell

www.outoftheoverflow.comtwitter.com/weswoodell

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Matthew 7:15

15 “Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves.

Acts 20:28-29

28 Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood. 29 I know that after I leave, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock.

Matthew 7:15

15 “Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves.

Acts 20:28-29

28 Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood. 29 I know that after I leave, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock.

1.What’s a shepherd?

2.What’s a flock?

3.What’s a wolf?

1.What’s a shepherd?

2.What’s a flock?

3.What’s a wolf?

WHAT IS A WOLF?• “Ravenous” (Gen 49:27 NRSV; Mt 7:15).

• “Savage” (Acts 20:29 NRSV).

• They devour (Gen 49:27), tear (Ezek 22:27), “destroy” (Jer 5:6 NRSV) helpless sheep (Mt 10:16; Lk 10:3; Jn 10:12; Acts 20:29).

WHAT IS A WOLF?• “Ravenous” (Gen 49:27 NRSV; Mt 7:15).

• “Savage” (Acts 20:29 NRSV).

• They devour (Gen 49:27), tear (Ezek 22:27), “destroy” (Jer 5:6 NRSV) helpless sheep (Mt 10:16; Lk 10:3; Jn 10:12; Acts 20:29).

WHAT IS A WOLF?WHAT IS A WOLF?

WHO IS A WOLF?• Dishonest public officials (Ezek 22:27; Zeph

3:3).

• False prophets and false teachers (Mt 7:15; Acts 20:29).

• Selfish religious leaders (Jn 10:12).

• Unbelieving world itself (Mt 7:15; 10:16; Lk 10:3).

• Term used by Jesus ambiguously (i.e. He didn’t name specific wolves so that disciples would understand they should always be on the lookout).

WHO IS A WOLF?• Dishonest public officials (Ezek 22:27; Zeph

3:3).

• False prophets and false teachers (Mt 7:15; Acts 20:29).

• Selfish religious leaders (Jn 10:12).

• Unbelieving world itself (Mt 7:15; 10:16; Lk 10:3).

• Term used by Jesus ambiguously (i.e. He didn’t name specific wolves so that disciples would understand they should always be on the lookout).

A wolf is “any person, group, or (when applied to the world) idea, philosophy, or policy infiltrating

a flock whose presence or action results in the injury or

death of sheep.”

A wolf is “any person, group, or (when applied to the world) idea, philosophy, or policy infiltrating

a flock whose presence or action results in the injury or

death of sheep.”

Matthew 7:15-17

15 “Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. 16 By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? 17 Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit.

Matthew 7:15-17

15 “Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. 16 By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? 17 Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit.

Five characteristics of false teachers in the NT …

• Taught grace as license to sin.• Added to God’s commands.• Distorted the identity and/or work of

Christ.• Did not hold to the teachings of

Christ.• Motivated by ungodly desire.

Five characteristics of false teachers in the NT …

• Taught grace as license to sin.• Added to God’s commands.• Distorted the identity and/or work of

Christ.• Did not hold to the teachings of

Christ.• Motivated by ungodly desire.

1. Grace as license to sin1. Grace as license to sin

Jude 1:4

4 For certain individuals whose condemnation was written about long ago have secretly slipped in among you. They are ungodly people, who pervert the grace of our God into a license for immorality and deny Jesus Christ our only Sovereign and Lord.

Jude 1:4

4 For certain individuals whose condemnation was written about long ago have secretly slipped in among you. They are ungodly people, who pervert the grace of our God into a license for immorality and deny Jesus Christ our only Sovereign and Lord.

2. Added to God’s commands2. Added to God’s commands1 Timothy 4:1-3

1 The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons. 2 Such teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron. 3 They forbid people to marry and order them to abstain from certain foods, which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and who know the truth.

1 Timothy 4:1-3

1 The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons. 2 Such teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron. 3 They forbid people to marry and order them to abstain from certain foods, which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and who know the truth.

2. Added to God’s commands2. Added to God’s commands

Colossians 2:8

8 … hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ.

(c.f. Mark 7:8-9)

Colossians 2:8

8 … hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ.

(c.f. Mark 7:8-9)

3. Distorted Jesus’ identity and/or work3. Distorted Jesus’ identity and/or work

2 John 7

7 … many deceivers, who do not acknowledge Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh, have gone out into the world. Any such person is the deceiver and the antichrist.

2 John 7

7 … many deceivers, who do not acknowledge Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh, have gone out into the world. Any such person is the deceiver and the antichrist.

4. Did not hold to Christ’s teachings4. Did not hold to Christ’s teachings

2 John 9a

9a Anyone who runs ahead and does not continue in the teaching of Christ does not have God …

2 John 9a

9a Anyone who runs ahead and does not continue in the teaching of Christ does not have God …

4. Did not hold to Christ’s teachings4. Did not hold to Christ’s teachings

2 Peter 2:18-19

18 For they mouth empty, boastful words and, by appealing to the lustful desires of the flesh, they entice people who are just escaping from those who live in error. 19 They promise them freedom, while they themselves are slaves of depravity—for “people are slaves to whatever has mastered them.”

2 Peter 2:18-19

18 For they mouth empty, boastful words and, by appealing to the lustful desires of the flesh, they entice people who are just escaping from those who live in error. 19 They promise them freedom, while they themselves are slaves of depravity—for “people are slaves to whatever has mastered them.”

5. Ungodly desire/motivation5. Ungodly desire/motivation

Jude 1:18-19

18 They said to you, “In the last times there will be scoffers who will follow their own ungodly desires.” 19 These are the people who divide you, who follow mere natural instincts and do not have the Spirit.

Jude 1:18-19

18 They said to you, “In the last times there will be scoffers who will follow their own ungodly desires.” 19 These are the people who divide you, who follow mere natural instincts and do not have the Spirit.

5. Ungodly desire/motivation5. Ungodly desire/motivation

Acts 20:29-30

29 I know that after I leave, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock. 30 Even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples after them.

Acts 20:29-30

29 I know that after I leave, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock. 30 Even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples after them.

Other ObservationsOther Observations• Work/teaching often involved secrecy or

deception (2 Pet. 2:1; Jude 1:4; 2 Cor. 11:13-15).• Sometimes appealed to visions or dreams as

the basis for false teaching (2 Cor. 12, Jude 8).• Might be able to work false miracles (Matt.

24:24; Acts 8:9-11; 2 Thess. 2:9).• False teachers were not always aware they were

false teachers – they’d simply allowed themselves to be deceived (2 Thess. 2:10-12).

• Work/teaching often involved secrecy or deception (2 Pet. 2:1; Jude 1:4; 2 Cor. 11:13-15).

• Sometimes appealed to visions or dreams as the basis for false teaching (2 Cor. 12, Jude 8).

• Might be able to work false miracles (Matt. 24:24; Acts 8:9-11; 2 Thess. 2:9).

• False teachers were not always aware they were false teachers – they’d simply allowed themselves to be deceived (2 Thess. 2:10-12).

How do we identify wolves/false

teachers?

How do we identify wolves/false

teachers?

How do we identify wolves (specifically false teachers)?

1. Is their teaching going to result in injury or death?

2. Are they living as a disciple of Jesus Christ should live?

How do we identify wolves (specifically false teachers)?

1. Is their teaching going to result in injury or death?

2. Are they living as a disciple of Jesus Christ should live?

How are we to respond to wolves/false

teachers?

How are we to respond to wolves/false

teachers?

Responding to Wolves:

1. Speak Up


1. Speak Up

1 Timothy 1:3b-4a

3 … command certain people not to teach false doctrines any longer 4a or to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies …

1 Timothy 1:3b-4a

3 … command certain people not to teach false doctrines any longer 4a or to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies …

1 Timothy 4:1-3, 6

1 The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons. 2 Such teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron. 3 They forbid people to marry and order them to abstain from certain foods, which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and who know the truth … 6 If you point these things out to the brothers and sisters, you will be a good minister of Christ Jesus, nourished on the truths of the faith and of the good teaching that you have followed.

1 Timothy 4:1-3, 6

1 The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons. 2 Such teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron. 3 They forbid people to marry and order them to abstain from certain foods, which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and who know the truth … 6 If you point these things out to the brothers and sisters, you will be a good minister of Christ Jesus, nourished on the truths of the faith and of the good teaching that you have followed.


1. Speak Up

2. Gently Instruct


1. Speak Up

2. Gently Instruct

2 Timothy 2:25-26

25 Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, 26 and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will.

2 Timothy 2:25-26

25 Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, 26 and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will.

2 Timothy 2:3b-4a

… God our Savior … wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.

2 Peter 3:9

9 The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.

2 Timothy 2:3b-4a

… God our Savior … wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.

2 Peter 3:9

9 The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.


1. Speak Up

2. Gently Instruct

3. Teach the Word


1. Speak Up

2. Gently Instruct

3. Teach the Word

2 Timothy 4:1-5

1 In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge: 2 Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction. 3 For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. 4 They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. 5 But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry.

2 Timothy 4:1-5

1 In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge: 2 Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction. 3 For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. 4 They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. 5 But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry.

1 Timothy 4:13-14

13 Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching and to teaching. 14 Do not neglect your gift, which was given you through prophecy when the body of elders laid their hands on you.

1 Timothy 4:13-14

13 Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching and to teaching. 14 Do not neglect your gift, which was given you through prophecy when the body of elders laid their hands on you.


1. Speak Up

2. Gently Instruct

3. Teach the Word

4. Live Rightly


1. Speak Up

2. Gently Instruct

3. Teach the Word

4. Live Rightly

1 Timothy 4:1616 Watch your life and

doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers.

(c.f. 1 Timothy 3, Titus 1 regarding elders)

1 Timothy 4:1616 Watch your life and

doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers.

(c.f. 1 Timothy 3, Titus 1 regarding elders)


1. Speak up

2. Gently Instruct

3. Teach the Word

4. Live Rightly

5. Expect to Suffer


1. Speak up

2. Gently Instruct

3. Teach the Word

4. Live Rightly

5. Expect to Suffer

2 Timothy 1:8

8 So do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord or of me his prisoner. Rather, join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God.

2 Timothy 1:8

8 So do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord or of me his prisoner. Rather, join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God.

2 Timothy 3:12-13

12 In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, 13 while evildoers and impostors will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived.

2 Timothy 3:12-13

12 In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, 13 while evildoers and impostors will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived.

Practical Tips:

1. Not every doctrinal disagreement should lead to labeling someone a “false teacher” – false teachers are those who spread doctrines that lead to serious spiritual injury or death. Not all doctrines are created equal.

2. Concern yourself with wolves preying upon your own flock – none of us should attempt to become universal policemen/women. However, one shepherd’s flock might be much larger than another.

3. Your primary tool for guarding sheep against wolves is your influence. If you wield little influence over the sheep in your flock, your students either 1) don’t respect you, or 2) don’t trust you/feel loved by you. You must figure out why this is and fix it.

Practical Tips:

1. Not every doctrinal disagreement should lead to labeling someone a “false teacher” – false teachers are those who spread doctrines that lead to serious spiritual injury or death. Not all doctrines are created equal.

2. Concern yourself with wolves preying upon your own flock – none of us should attempt to become universal policemen/women. However, one shepherd’s flock might be much larger than another.

3. Your primary tool for guarding sheep against wolves is your influence. If you wield little influence over the sheep in your flock, your students either 1) don’t respect you, or 2) don’t trust you/feel loved by you. You must figure out why this is and fix it.

Questions, Comments, Discussion?

Questions, Comments, Discussion?


Wes Woodell


Wes Woodell



A word about judging …

A word about judging …

Matthew 7:1-6 1“Do not judge, or you too will be judged. 2 For in

the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.

3 “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? 4 How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? 5 You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.

6 “Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces.”

Matthew 7:1-6 1“Do not judge, or you too will be judged. 2 For in

the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.

3 “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? 4 How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? 5 You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.

6 “Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces.”

1 Corinthians 5:12-13a

12 What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside? 13a God will judge those outside …

1 Corinthians 5:12-13a

12 What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside? 13a God will judge those outside …

Inoculating Against Wolves …

Inoculating Against Wolves …

Inoculating Against Wolves:

1. Watch out!


1. Watch out!

Matthew 7:15a

15 “Watch out for false prophets …

Acts 20:28a, 31a

28a Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers … 31a So be on your guard!

Matthew 7:15a

15 “Watch out for false prophets …

Acts 20:28a, 31a

28a Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers … 31a So be on your guard!


1. Watch out!

2. Love one another


1. Watch out!

2. Love one another

2 John 5-7

5 And now, dear lady, I am not writing you a new command but one we have had from the beginning. I ask that we love one another. 6 And this is love: that we walk in obedience to his commands. As you have heard from the beginning, his command is that you walk in love.

7 I say this because many deceivers, who do not acknowledge Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh, have gone out into the world …

2 John 5-7

5 And now, dear lady, I am not writing you a new command but one we have had from the beginning. I ask that we love one another. 6 And this is love: that we walk in obedience to his commands. As you have heard from the beginning, his command is that you walk in love.

7 I say this because many deceivers, who do not acknowledge Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh, have gone out into the world …


Wes Woodell


Wes Woodell



Protecting Your Sheep From Wolves Wes Woodell twitter.com/weswoodell facebook.com/weswoodell...

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