Soft Wool, Sharp Teeth

Church family:
Wolves in sheep’s clothing are dangerous because they don’t look like wolves. They dress themselves in the appearance of gentleness, truth, spirituality, and even love. They may have millions of social media followers, draw large crowds, and even land books on bestseller lists. They speak the language of Christianity, carry the Bible, and may say many things that sound right, but beneath the wool is a heart that seeks to deceive, influence, and devour. They slowly twist truth, soften sin, minimize repentance, elevate themselves, and make the narrow road look wider and easier than Jesus made it. They don't usually attack the flock head-on; they gain the sheep’s trust first, then lead them away from the Shepherd. Jesus says, “You will recognize them by their fruits” (Matthew 7:15-16). Soft wool may hide sharp teeth, but the fruit will finally expose the wolf.
A wolf in sheep’s clothing twists the gospel by subtly changing who saves us, what saves us, and what salvation produces. One falsification says, “Christ plus your works saves you,” making people trust their morality, religious activity, or obedience rather than Christ’s righteousness. The opposite falsification says, “Christ saves you, so how you live doesn’t really matter,” separating grace from repentance, holiness, and obedience. The true gospel declares that we are saved by grace through faith in Christ, not by our works, and that genuine salvation produces a changed life, good works, repentance, and a growing desire to follow Jesus.
When a wolf in sheep’s clothing distorts or destroys the true gospel, the stakes could not be higher. The gospel is not merely a message about how to live better; it is the good news of how sinners are reconciled to a holy God through Jesus Christ. When the gospel is replaced with works, self-help, prosperity, or a message that removes the call to repentance and faith, people may believe they are saved while remaining separated from Christ. A false gospel gives false hope, produces false assurance, and ultimately leads people away from the narrow road that leads to life. That is why Jesus warns us to beware: false teaching is not a small error or harmless opinion. What is at stake is the truth of Christ, the eternal souls of people, and the true character and glory of God.
Jesus commands us to look deeper into the teaching we are receiving. What fruit is being produced from this person’s life and teaching? Is this teaching leading us toward Christ, holiness, humility, repentance, and love? Or is it leading us toward self-confidence, compromise, pride, or a gospel that no longer needs a life of surrender? Is the teacher’s life producing holiness or worldliness?
So here is our call to action: let us be people of the Word and Spirit. Let us test what we hear by Scripture. Let us pray for discernment. Let us refuse both false gospels: the one that says, “I can save myself,” and the one that says, “I can have Christ without following Christ.” Let us encourage one another to stay near Jesus, to keep walking the narrow road, and to bear fruit that points others to Him.

See you Sunday, Steve