Do We Know How To Recognize End-Time Wolves In The Church?
"Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing,
but inwardly they are ravening wolves" (Mt. 7:15).
"For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves
enter in among you, not sparing the flock" (Acts. 20:29).
The most obvious of these wolves are the Carny Showmen who are fleecing
the sheep in the guise of being the true apostles in an apostate church. The following are
some of their identifying characteristics.
They promote a chanting spirit that stirs up the soulical parts of people instead of
their spirit; people caught up in this soul power usually empty their pocket books.
- They have people to think that if they get noisy or put their flesh in action, they've
had a great service, though afterwards there is no evidence of their having touched the
Lord.
- They promise people healings that rarely show. (I say rarely because even under these
conditions, if one gets past all the hullabaloo and truly touches Jesus by faith, their
needs will be met [Phil. 1:15-18].). To further confuse the seeker, when it becomes
apparent that the showman brought them no healing, the carny adds guilt to their
bewilderment, teaching that they didn't have enough faith or that they "lost"
their healing because of doubt or sin.
- Unlike Peter and John who reprimanded the people for trying to puff them up because of
the healing virtue in the name of Christ, these carnys relish the limelight and eat up the
adoration.
- They operate in the spirit of a braggart, always bragging about the hundreds and
thousands that were saved and healed under their ministries, ignoring the Scriptures
saying that another should praise thee and not thine own mouth
(Prov. 27:2) and that
our fruit should speak for us, not our own babbling (Mt. 12:33).
These wolves in sheep clothing have learned how to take advantage of
modern technology; consequently, television has become a favorite platform for their
hawking. These carny showmen of the media also have identifying activities.
With excited voices they read scores of names from scraps of paper that supposedly
represent people who have phoned in with healings--yet none of those thus healed ever show
up for verification. Nothing could be more unlike the visible, instant miracles and
resultant praise recorded in the New Testament.
In the absence of the manifested power of God, they use show-business idols to attract
viewers, even though few of them have fruit to back up their profession of faith in
Christ.
Their appeal to the lackadaisical Christian community is understandable: a few bucks to
the rhinestone evangelists and their responsibility to the Great Commission is fulfilled.
And if any further proof is needed as to who is and who isn't a wolf
among the sheep, we might just consider their fruit!
Even those in the world are appalled by the "sicky" abuses of donations and
privileges given in the name of Jesus; i.e., living luxurious lives, buying expensive
houses, properties, etc., and spending exorbitant amounts of money on frivolous things
like doghouse, etc.
All of this is but the fulfilling of II Tim. 3:13:
"But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being
deceived." However, in the next verse Paul
explains how not to be taken in by such. "14, But continue thou
in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast
learned them." This brings us back again to
what we all know, but what we too often ignore. The Bible is supposed to take top priority
in our lives, being our bread, our strength, and our weapon in the warfare that we have no
choice but to wage. The Bible is also a light to our path and by its illumination we will
be able to recognize the wolves in our midst. However, if we do not study to show
ourselves approved unto God, then we are approved of the enemy. And if we will not give
ourselves to sincere Bible study, then we will be as children, tossed to and fro, and
carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness,
whereby they lie in wait to deceive (Eph. 4:14).