Matthew 7:15

Monday, 10 February 2025

 

“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. Matthew 7:15

 

“And you caution from the false prophets who – they come to you in clothes of sheep, and inwardly they are wolves – rapacious” (CG).

 

In the previous verse, Jesus explained concerning about the narrow gate and the compressed path that leads to the life. He now begins another thought with the words, “And you caution from the false prophets.”

 

Jesus uses the word pseudoprophétés. It is derived from pseudés, false, and prophétés, prophets. Thus, “false prophets” is a direct translation. Jesus said to have caution from, meaning watch and stay away from, the false prophets. He next says of them, “who – they come to you in clothes of sheep.”

 

Jesus introduces the probaton, sheep, to the New Testament. Let’s be honest. Sheep are cute. Their hair is soft, white, and fluffy, especially when they are young. Their faces make them look innocent, they bleat soothing noises, and their demeanor is almost always pleasant. Along with that, they graze. They don’t harm anything in their consumption of food.

 

False prophets come with such appearances and demeanor as well. Their words will be soothing, and one’s ears will be tingled by them. Their message appears appealing and not harmful. However, Jesus says of the false prophets that they are deceiving, “and inwardly they are wolves – rapacious.”

 

The word esóthen, inwardly, is introduced here. It speaks of the mind or soul of the person. The physical body, appearance, and outward projection are like a sheep. And yet, Jesus says they are lukos, wolves.

 

The word lukos is from leukos, white, bright, brilliant, etc. This is from their whitish hair. Wolves are devourers. They kill prey and eat it, even beginning if the prey is still alive. They are cunning in their conduct and predatory by nature. They will brazenly go after sheep and devour them without a care. And this is because they are harpax, rapacious.

 

The word signifies to seize or snatch, like in a robbery. Thus, there is both greed and violence being expressed in the thought. The word rapacious gets this across well when describing a wolf who is standing behind the pulpit, ready to pounce on whoever he can.

 

Life application: The word lukos is the etymological ancestor to our modern word lycan, a werewolf. Imagine walking into a church, and there was a wolf standing there with clothes of sheep around him. Would you be able to tell the difference in him from a true sheep?

 

Sadly, the fact is that most cannot. They haven’t bothered to take the time to read and study the word. They trust those who are in positions of authority in the church, often placing them on pedestals as if they were holy in and of themselves.

 

Their words, if pleasing, will keep the masses coming back. And yet, their words could be words of death. Jim Jones took an entire group of people to Guyana, where they eventually died drinking the Kool-Aid, literally.

 

This is because Jim Jones had a message that resonated with them. They failed to check the instruction manual, and it cost them their lives. This has happened in innumerable cults in recent times. Jesus warned against them, just as the people of Israel had been warned.

 

The Roman Catholic Church has been led by such men all along. They have led millions to trust them without ever teaching the word soundly or proclaiming the gospel of salvation by faith alone through grace alone. The current pope is a remarkable case study of just what Jesus warned against. And the people who follow him have failed to check the manual.

 

If you don’t read and know the Bible, how can you tell if you are being led astray? The truth is you cannot. Read your Bible.

 

“An astonishing and horrible thing
Has been committed in the land:
31 The prophets prophesy falsely,
And the priests rule by their own power;
And My people love to have it so.
But what will you do in the end?” Jeremiah 5:30, 31

 

Lord God, help us not to “trust but verify.” Rather, help us to know Your word so that we can verify and then trust. Amen.