“Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.”(Matthew 7:15 NIV)

           This verse is about deceptive leaders, deceptive spouses, children, friends, co-workers and the media.  Deceptive means giving an impression different from the true facts.  It is the act of purposely misleading, tricking, or lying to someone.

           It is about hidden truth; a person looks like one thing but is actually another.  It often involves a deliberate plan to make someone believe a lie.  It is being dishonest to achieve what you want at the expense of others.  

You are asked if you cleaned your room.  You say yes but hide everything in the closest or under the bed.  You are being deceptive of getting out of cleaning your room.

You are at work and have told your boss that the project will be ready at the end of the week.  You haven’t even started on it, you are lying to your boss.  

You have a gambling addiction.  You took the money for the house payment and gambled it away; you lost it all.  You tell your spouse you did not get paid because the clients are just not there, and times are rough right now.  

This verse is about spiritual discernment.  Jesus explains how to identify these individuals by their “clothing”—meaning the genuine moral and character outcomes of their actions, rather than their words.  For those who wear sheep clothing represents the deceptive outward appearance of false teachers. (This can be anyone.) They may appear harmless, pious, or sound mind but in reality, they are leading you astray.  

It is learning to listen to that still small voice.  Look at results evaluate people by their long-term actions, not their short-term words. Check consistency, watch how they act when no one is looking.  Determine if their influence makes your life better or worse.  Verify just don’t accept.  

The sad part about this verse is that we can all be lead astray.  It is learning to be strong and courageous and understand there are those who will deceive us in life.  For there are wolves out there.  So, beware of individuals who tell you exactly what you want to hear just to win your trust.  It is something to watch out for.  God Bless. Amen.

denise