Beware of Wolves in Sheep’s Clothing

I was about ten years old the summer I spent two weeks at a Christian camp in Pennsylvania. During my stay at Camp Iroquoina the leaders taught spiritual lessons from John Bunyan’s classic book, Pilgrim’s Progress. One of the object lessons that stuck with me throughout the years portrayed the wiles of false prophets. Jesus said they come in sheep’s clothing . . . but at camp they came with kittens.

 Summer Camp Lessons

My years at summer camp made a huge impact on my life and I will ever be grateful to Ranger Ruth, Alice B, Grandmother White and many other wonderful women who poured truth into a young, impressionable girl. We acted out Bible stories and took numerous long hikes, learning life lessons and biblical truths. On one of these hikes we were instructed to stay on the path to the “Celestial City” no matter what.

As our line of campers trekked up the winding mountain path, laughing and singing as we went, we came upon some older girls sitting together in the wooded area off the beaten trail cuddling some darling little kittens. As you can imagine, many of the girls, ignoring the strict command to stay on the path, entered the forested area to pet and croon over the little balls of fluff. Later this group missed out on the special party held at the “Celestial City.”

Warning About Wolves in Sheep’s Clothing 

This play acting of a classic story pointed to an important truth that Jesus taught in His Sermon on the Mount. As His disciples sat listening to His teachings He warned of false prophets who would come to them disguised in sheep’s clothing. They would speak words that sounded warm and fuzzy, words that would create a sense of false peace and comfort. But, Jesus warned, they would inwardly be ravenous wolves, trying to pull His followers off the path to the Kingdom of Heaven.

A picture speaks a thousand words, so Jesus used something the people in an agricultural society could understand. These wolves in sheep’s clothing would be recognized by their fruit. You don’t gather grapes from thorn bushes, He stated, nor figs from thistles. Healthy trees bear good fruit while diseased trees bear bad fruit. Even so, a false prophet can be recognized when his teachings do not line up with God’s word.

 A Warning For Today

This warning is never more needed than it is today! There are myriads of influencers out there speaking words that sound comforting and soothing. They tell us that we are okay and will be fine. Just be you and do what makes you happy, they say, sometimes even quoting passages of Scripture taken out of context. Oh, how these wolves in sheep’s clothing long to pull us off the narrow path that leads to eternal life and distract us from entering the Celestial City!

Jesus went on to warn that not everyone who calls Him “Lord, Lord” will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. The door is open only for those who do the will of the Father in heaven. Obedience to God’s word is the fruit that proves who are His true followers. All others will be turned away because He never knew them.

Lessons About Spiritual Hazards 

I am thankful to say that my ten-year old self stayed on the winding mountain path many years ago and was not pulled aside by the kittens, cute as they were. Yet, this simple playacting taught me a lesson about even more dangerous and real spiritual hazards.

May we all diligently seek God through His word, bearing good fruit for eternity. And may we stay on high alert and beware of wolves in sheep’s clothing.