CYCLES OF RESISTANCE || Wolves
Genesis 30:32-39 New King James Version
32 Let me pass through all your flock today, removing from there all the speckled and spotted sheep, and all the brown ones among the lambs, and the spotted and speckled among the goats; and these shall be my wages. 33 So my righteousness will answer for me in time to come, when the subject of my wages comes before you: every one that is not speckled and spotted among the goats, and brown among the lambs, will be considered stolen, if it is with me.”
34 And Laban said, “Oh, that it were according to your word!” 35 So he removed that day the male goats that were speckled and spotted, all the female goats that were speckled and spotted, every one that had some white in it, and all the brown ones among the lambs, and gave them into the hand of his sons. 36 Then he put three days’ journey between himself and Jacob, and Jacob fed the rest of Laban’s flocks.
37 Now Jacob took for himself rods of green poplar and of the almond and chestnut trees, peeled white strips in them, and exposed the white which was in the rods. 38 And the rods which he had peeled, he set before the flocks in the gutters, in the watering troughs where the flocks came to drink, so that they should conceive when they came to drink. 39 So the flocks conceived before the rods, and the flocks brought forth streaked, speckled, and spotted.
We Reproduce What We Gaze (Meditate) Upon
Church, We are the Sheep of Jesus’ Pasture
Psalm 100:3 New King James Version
3 Know that the Lord, He is God; It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves; We are His people and the sheep of His pasture.
John 10:26-28 New King James Version
26 But you do not believe, because you are not of My sheep, as I said to you. 27 My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. 28 And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand.
THIS MEANS:
We REQUIRE Holy Spirit’s CONSTANT Guidance and Care
A shepherd lovingly cares for and guides his sheep, Jesus as the Good Shepherd (John 10:11) takes care of His followers
Sheep are dependent on the shepherd for direction, safety, and sustenance
In the same way, Holy Spirit directs, protects, and sustains us
We need constant protection from our flesh, the world, and the demonic
We Must HEAR and TRUST His Voice
We have intimate relationship with Jesus through His Holy Spirit
Just as sheep follow the voice of their shepherd, we recognize His voice, trust His heart, and obey His teachings
We are UNITED by, and BELONG to, Jesus Alone
Being the sheep of His pasture means that we are part of one flock, united under one Shepherd (Jesus)
We are a part of the community of believers, and Jesus is the center of our unity and belonging
We are not to follow the voices of others
Jesus Warns His Sheep about Wolves
Wolves are False Prophets
Matthew 7:15-20 New King James Version
15 “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. 16 You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles? 17 Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Therefore by their fruits you will know them.
THEY LOOK LIKE SHEEP, BUT INWARDLY ARE RAVENOUS WOLVES
False prophets WEAR the right outer garment, but inwardly desire to devour others to sustain themselves
Colossians 3:12-14 New King James Version
12 Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; 13 bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. 14 But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection. 15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful.
They APPEAR outwardly loving, tender, merciful, kind, humble, meek, patient
But they refuse to allow peace to rule in their hearts; to bear with others, forgive others
They will devour sheep through complaint, gossip, slander, division, etc. in order to draw attention, followers, and glory to themselves
Acts 20:29-30 New King James Version
29 For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. 30 Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking [misleading, distorted] perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves.
False Prophets DECLARE False (Misleading, Distorted, Perverse) Messages
An incorrect prediction vs a misleading message
KEEP IT SIMPLE || The devil hasn’t changed his message, he hasn’t had to
Genesis 3:1-5 || “God’s word and ways cannot be trusted. You must take matters into your own hands.”
Any message that seeks to alleviate, separate, or free you from the word, cross, burden, and yoke of Jesus is a FALSE Prophecy!
Wolves are Exposed by Their Fruit
Proverbs 6:16-19 New King James Version
16 These six things the Lord hates, Yes, seven are an abomination to Him:
17 A proud look, A lying tongue, Hands that shed innocent blood,
18 A heart that devises wicked plans, Feet that are swift in running to evil,
19 A false witness who speaks lies, And one who sows discord among brethren.
A Proud Look
God hates and resists pride because it was the first sin, and as a result, became the root of every other sin
Pride puffs us up and makes us unteachable and uncorrectable
Wolves look down on others and believe that their thoughts, feelings, and desires are more important than anyone else’s
A Lying Tongue
God hates lies because they distort the truth and harm people
Truth is important for healthy relationships, and deception breaks trust and harms relationships
Wolves choose to lie because they are looking to distort the truth in order to destroy relationships
Hands that Shed Innocent Blood
God hates cruelty, especially when the innocent are harmed or killed
The devil is known for being both a liar and a murderer, whose aim is to steal, kill, and destroy
Jesus teaches that when we are angry with a brother without cause, murder has begun to take root in our hearts (Matthew 5:21-22)
Wolves promote the shedding of innocent blood because whether they know it or not, they are doing the devil’s work
Any spiritual leader that celebrates or supports abortion is a wolf
A Heart that Devises Wicked Plans
God hates when people use cleverness and thoughtfulness to plan evil
It’s wrong when someone deliberately tries to harm others by coming up with sneaky, selfish, or vengeful ideas
Wolves devise and executive sinful plans that violate God’s ways and desire for human relationships
Feet Swift in Running to Evil
God hates when people hurry to do wrong, as though they can’t wait to make bad choices
We should never be excited or quick to commit sin, when God calls us to carefully discern what pleases Him and to live righteously
Wolves promote and celebrate the things that scripture identifies as sin
Any spiritual leader that celebrates and promotes sexual perversion under the banner of pride is a wolf
Anyone that justifies our offense, bitterness, resentment, or unforgiveness is a wolf
A False Witness
God hates when we slander, give false testimony, or lie about someone
It’s not only an insult to God, but it can ruin people’s lives because it hurts their reputation and relationships
Wolves will lie about other people in order to benefit themselves, they do not care who gets hurt so long as they get what they want
Sowing Discord Among Brethren
God hates when people cause fights and stir up bad feelings between friends or family
Those who gossip, tell lies, or make others angry with each other are grieving Holy Spirit (Ephesians 4:30-32)
Jesus died for our peace and unity, wolves kill to create division and conflict.
We WILL Encounter Wolves if Our Aim is to Obey God
Matthew 10:16 New King James Version
16 “Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves.
THE FIRST WOLF WE MUST CONFRONT IS THE ONE IN OUR HEART
Luke 10:3 New King James Version
3 Go your way; behold, I send you out as lambs among wolves.
The plank check
The more clearly we think we see the sin in someone else, the more blind we are to the sin in our own heart
Jeremiah 17:9-10 New King James Version
9 “The heart is deceitful above all things, And desperately wicked; Who can know it?
10 I, the Lord, search the heart, I test the mind, Even to give every man according to his ways, According to the fruit of his doings.
I cannot confront the wolf outside, before I conquer the wolf within
My pride, lies, cruelty, wickedness, etc.
PRACTICAL ADVICE || Ask leadership, spouses, and trusted friends to have REAL TALK with you about the fruit of your life
The Church MUST Deal with Wolves
Healthy Sheep Identify, Reject and Avoid Wolves
IDENTITY THEM BY THEIR FRUIT
Matthew 7:15-16a New King James Version
15 “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. 16 You will know them by their fruits.
REJECT THEIR MESSAGE
A FALSE Prophet Declares a FALSE Message
Don’t watch/listen/read their messages, podcasts, sermons, emails, etc.
Don’t follow/subscribe to their social media accounts
PASTORAL CAUTION || LISTENERS eventually become MESSENGERS
PARABLE || The Wolf that Deceived a Sheep
2 Timothy 2:16-26 New King James Version
16 But shun profane and [empty chatter]idle babblings, for they will [lead]increase to more ungodliness. 17 And their message will spread like cancer. Hymenaeus and Philetus are of this sort,
Proverbs 21:28 New King James Version
28 A false witness shall perish, But the man who hears him will speak endlessly.
AVOID THEIR FELLOWSHIP
It’s doesn’t make any sense for sheep to share life with wolves, they may not have eaten you yet, but your time is coming
Romans 16:17 New King James Version
17 Now I urge you, brethren, note those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and avoid them.
Avoid and Reject their divisions and offenses
“I have heard/read what you have to say, I will NOT hear anymore”
2 Thessalonians 3:14-15 New King James Version
14 And if anyone does not obey our word in this [letter]epistle, note that person and do not keep company with him, that he may be ashamed. 15 Yet do not count him as an enemy, but [warn]admonish him as a brother.
Establish Boundaries
If you keep bringing this up, I WILL NOT continue to spend time with you
I love you, but I will not tolerate more of this
Titus 3:10 New King James Version
10 Reject a divisive man after the first and second [warning]admonition,
Do Not Keep Company
“Because you are repeatedly choosing to be divisive I will no longer make time for you”
“I love you, I’m not going to ignore you, but I will no longer tolerate your harmful behavior”
PRAY FOR THEM
2 Timothy 2:24-26 New King James Version
24 And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, 25 in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth, 26 and that they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will.
Do NOT argue
Stay Humbly
You cannot fight pride with pride
Submit your perspective on where they are incorrect
Pray Often
That God would grant them repentance
That they would know the truth and come to their senses
That they would escape the snare (offense, bitterness, unforgiveness) of the devil
They have been taken captive by him to do his will
Good Shepherds Expose and Remove Wolves
EXPOSE THEM BY THEIR ENTRANCE
John 10:1-7 New King James Version
10 “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door, but climbs up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. 2 But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. 3 To him the doorkeeper opens, and the sheep hear his voice; and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 And when he brings out his own sheep, he goes before them; and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. 5 Yet they will by no means follow a stranger, but will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers.” 6 Jesus used this illustration, but they did not understand the things which He spoke to them.
7 Then Jesus said to them again, “Most assuredly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep.
Jesus is THE Door to His Pasture
A TRUE shepherd comes in through the legitimate and designed way
Acts 20:28 New King James Version
28 Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood.
Holy Spirit calls and confirms overseers(elders) to shepherd His church
The Lord will not open His door to any other shepherds, hirelings, wolves, etc.
History of loving the sheep
LEADERS GO FIRST || Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock
Leading by example, going before the sheep, sacrificial service
Anyone who climbs up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber
Acts 20:29-31 New King James Version
29 For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. 30 Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves. 31 Therefore watch, and remember that for three years I did not cease to warn everyone night and day with tears.
Savage wolves will come in among the us
They will “climb up” through roundabout, deceptive, and divisive means
Wolves AVOID shepherds and target the sheep
If shepherds do not confront the wolves, the flock suffers
Pastor Ryan’s Wolf Story
Men speaking perverse (twisted, misleading) things to try and draw away disciples after themselves
Wolves devour the flock for their own personal gain
The legitimate shepherds are called to WATCH, WARN, and CONFRONT, always with the aim and hope of salvation and reconciliation
REMOVE THEM QUICKLY
1 Corinthians 5:11-13 New King James Version
11 But now I have written to you not to keep company with anyone named a brother, who is sexually immoral, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or an extortioner—not even to eat with such a person.
12 For what have I to do with judging those also who are outside? Do you not judge those who are inside? 13 But those who are outside God judges. Therefore “put away from yourselves the evil person.”
Health Church Discipline Protects the Integrity of the Church Body
Unrepentant sin harms the person, their loved ones, and their community, threatening the church's moral and spiritual health.
Healthy Church Discipline Protects The Collective Witness
Tolerating sin undermines the church’s credibility and its message of transformation to the world.
Healthy Church Discipline is Not About Personal Judgment
Discipline targets persistent sin, NOT personal flaws or struggles, and aims to prompt repentance, not condemnation.
Healthy Church Discipline Prioritizes Restoration as the Ultimate Goal
Church discipline isn’t punishment but a means to encourage repentance and restore the person to God.
The goal is to restore the person to fellowship with God and the church, with love and reconciliation as the end result.
We Reproduce What We Gaze (Meditate) Upon
Genesis 30:32-39 New King James Version
This is the First Place Scripture Records the Way One Man Took the Flock of Another
Jacob put these rods with strips peeled in them before the flocks at the place where they drank
Whatever sheep gazed upon Jacob’s rods as they drank gave birth to flocks that belonged to Jacob
This way Jacob didn’t have to take what he didn’t have the authority to take, it would be given to him by the flock of Laban itself
What are You Gazing (Meditating) Upon and Drinking From?
THE INTERNET IS THE GREATEST WOLF DEN THAT HAS EVER EXISTED
Ministries committed, not to sharing the gospel of the kingdom, but to tearing down the shepherding of others to grow their following
You can find a spiritual leader that will twist scripture to affirm the sin of your choosing
WE ARE PEOPLE OF THE WORD
The foundation of our faith is the Holy Bible. We hold fast to the inerrant and timeless Word of God. We believe the Holy Scriptures are to be read individually, read and discussed corporately, and walked out as a community.
Set Your Gaze Upon the Rod (Cross) of Jesus and Drink His Living Waters
LET US, THROUGH DAILY SECRET PLACE WITH HOLY SPIRIT, GAZE UPON THE GLORY OF JESUS
2 Corinthians 3:17-18 New King James Version
17 Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. 18 But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.
IF SET OUR GAZE ON JESUS AND EMBRACE HIS CROSS, WORD, AND WAYS, WE WILL REPRODUCE AFTER HIS KIND
Luke 9:23 New King James Version
23 Then He said to them all, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.
Psalm 23 New King James Version
The Lord the Shepherd of His People
A Psalm of David.
23 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2 He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. 3 He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake. 4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. 5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over. 6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me All the days of my life; And I will dwell in the house of the Lord Forever.
How Can We Know We are Setting Our Gaze Upon Jesus and Drinking His Living Waters?
Philippians 4:8 New King James Version
8 Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.
