Be Careful of the wolves in sheeps clothing

[Ronald Nolette]

Jesus warned us to be wary of the wolves in sheeps' clothing!

Matthew 7:15
Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.

There are so many people wandering the halls of Christianity and on this forum who appear to be sheep or shepherds but in fact are ravenous wolves who either knowingly or unknowingly are leading the flocks of God astray.

Think for a moment. How many times have you seen people on these threads who promote "new teaching", "new revelation, " "higher spiritual meaning" or even boldly reinterpreting the Word of God. Do you really think that the Lord in 2000 years of church history could not reveal these "higher truths" to the church and was forced to wait until so and so came along to tell us that God revealed to them what He actually meant to say?

Also do you think that God, who created language and grammar, needs us to edit His Inspired Word and have someone reveal to us that even though God insspired words to be read, He really meant something else?

There isd a way to reasd the bible that is safe and causes one to learn and grow in grace and knowledge. It is known as the literal/historical/grammatical method of understanding Scripture. Or the golden rule of interpretation:

“When the plain sense of Scripture makes common sense, seek no other sense; therefore, take every word at its primary, ordinary, usual, literal meaning unless the facts of the immediate context, studied in the light of related passages and axiomatic and fundamental truths, indicate clearly otherwise.”–Dr. David L. Cooper (1886-1965),
founder of The Biblical Research Society

This method recognizes that the bible uses symbols, apocalyptic language, idioms and metaphors. However the bible also defines its symbols and we need not seek to go outside of Scripture itself. the only time we need to study outside of Scripture is to learn the culture and idiomatic use of language the originals used. This will keep us much freer from error than all these new "higher spiritual meanings" that keep popping up. Jesus warned us that in these last days false prophets and teachings would abound!

 

[marks]

Jesus warned us to be wary of the wolves in sheeps' clothing!

Matthew 7:15
Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.

There are so many people wandering the halls of Christianity and on this forum who appear to be sheep or shepherds but in fact are ravenous wolves who either knowingly or unknowingly are leading the flocks of God astray.

Think for a moment. How many times have you seen people on these threads who promote "new teaching", "new revelation, " "higher spiritual meaning" or even boldly reinterpreting the Word of God. Do you really think that the Lord in 2000 years of church history could not reveal these "higher truths" to the church and was forced to wait until so and so came along to tell us that God revealed to them what He actually meant to say?

Also do you think that God, who created language and grammar, needs us to edit His Inspired Word and have someone reveal to us that even though God insspired words to be read, He really meant something else?

There isd a way to reasd the bible that is safe and causes one to learn and grow in grace and knowledge. It is known as the literal/historical/grammatical method of understanding Scripture. Or the golden rule of interpretation:

“When the plain sense of Scripture makes common sense, seek no other sense; therefore, take every word at its primary, ordinary, usual, literal meaning unless the facts of the immediate context, studied in the light of related passages and axiomatic and fundamental truths, indicate clearly otherwise.”–Dr. David L. Cooper (1886-1965),
founder of The Biblical Research Society

This method recognizes that the bible uses symbols, apocalyptic language, idioms and metaphors. However the bible also defines its symbols and we need not seek to go outside of Scripture itself. the only time we need to study outside of Scripture is to learn the culture and idiomatic use of language the originals used. This will keep us much freer from error than all these new "higher spiritual meanings" that keep popping up. Jesus warned us that in these last days false prophets and teachings would abound!

This is the only way that Bible readers will all arrive at the same understandings. Once you start declaring "hidden spiritual meanings", well, no two people will have the same across the board.

Either you take the Bible for what it plainly says, or you end up in an interpretation that will be all your own. I've seen this demonstrated over and over and over again.

Much love!

 

[PS95]

Jesus warned us to be wary of the wolves in sheeps' clothing!

Matthew 7:15
Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.

There are so many people wandering the halls of Christianity and on this forum who appear to be sheep or shepherds but in fact are ravenous wolves who either knowingly or unknowingly are leading the flocks of God astray.

Think for a moment. How many times have you seen people on these threads who promote "new teaching", "new revelation, " "higher spiritual meaning" or even boldly reinterpreting the Word of God. Do you really think that the Lord in 2000 years of church history could not reveal these "higher truths" to the church and was forced to wait until so and so came along to tell us that God revealed to them what He actually meant to say?

Also do you think that God, who created language and grammar, needs us to edit His Inspired Word and have someone reveal to us that even though God insspired words to be read, He really meant something else?

There isd a way to reasd the bible that is safe and causes one to learn and grow in grace and knowledge. It is known as the literal/historical/grammatical method of understanding Scripture. Or the golden rule of interpretation:

“When the plain sense of Scripture makes common sense, seek no other sense; therefore, take every word at its primary, ordinary, usual, literal meaning unless the facts of the immediate context, studied in the light of related passages and axiomatic and fundamental truths, indicate clearly otherwise.”–Dr. David L. Cooper (1886-1965),
founder of The Biblical Research Society

This method recognizes that the bible uses symbols, apocalyptic language, idioms and metaphors. However the bible also defines its symbols and we need not seek to go outside of Scripture itself. the only time we need to study outside of Scripture is to learn the culture and idiomatic use of language the originals used. This will keep us much freer from error than all these new "higher spiritual meanings" that keep popping up. Jesus warned us that in these last days false prophets and teachings would abound!

I think it's helpful also to note the context of your verse in Matthew 7. Verse 22 is thrown about often especially by false prophet cults & other self righteous types. They don't notice that the finger Jesus is pointing is at themselves. Unfortunately, there are many false prophets among us. Check their fruits very carefully- There is a multitude of deception.

15“Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves. 16“You will know them by their fruits. Grapes are not gathered from thorn bushes nor figs from thistles, are they? 17“So every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit. 18“A good tree cannot produce bad fruit, nor can a bad tree produce good fruit. 19“Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20“So then, you will know them by their fruits. 21“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter. 22“Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?’ 23“And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; DEPART FROM ME, YOU WHO PRACTICE LAWLESSNESS.’

 

[ScottA]

Jesus warned us to be wary of the wolves in sheeps' clothing!

Matthew 7:15
Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.

There are so many people wandering the halls of Christianity and on this forum who appear to be sheep or shepherds but in fact are ravenous wolves who either knowingly or unknowingly are leading the flocks of God astray.

Think for a moment. How many times have you seen people on these threads who promote "new teaching", "new revelation, " "higher spiritual meaning" or even boldly reinterpreting the Word of God. Do you really think that the Lord in 2000 years of church history could not reveal these "higher truths" to the church and was forced to wait until so and so came along to tell us that God revealed to them what He actually meant to say?

Also do you think that God, who created language and grammar, needs us to edit His Inspired Word and have someone reveal to us that even though God insspired words to be read, He really meant something else?

There isd a way to reasd the bible that is safe and causes one to learn and grow in grace and knowledge. It is known as the literal/historical/grammatical method of understanding Scripture. Or the golden rule of interpretation:

“When the plain sense of Scripture makes common sense, seek no other sense; therefore, take every word at its primary, ordinary, usual, literal meaning unless the facts of the immediate context, studied in the light of related passages and axiomatic and fundamental truths, indicate clearly otherwise.”–Dr. David L. Cooper (1886-1965),
founder of The Biblical Research Society

This method recognizes that the bible uses symbols, apocalyptic language, idioms and metaphors. However the bible also defines its symbols and we need not seek to go outside of Scripture itself. the only time we need to study outside of Scripture is to learn the culture and idiomatic use of language the originals used. This will keep us much freer from error than all these new "higher spiritual meanings" that keep popping up. Jesus warned us that in these last days false prophets and teachings would abound!

It saddens me to read this because 1) it puts a governor on the scriptures that is not God alone but the ways, logic, and reasoning of men, and 2) it hinders the Spirit (which you didn't mention).

But yes--and I wanted so to say Hallelujah to your first three paragraphs--because that much is indeed a problem! But I could not because you then attributed the good warnings against such only to things not tamely and acceptably within the church that those "false teachers" and "prophets" entered into forming much of modern doctrine; and only to what was written on parchment, and not allowing for what is written on hearts as promised.

So the rules adopted by so many, as you have defined them, are a limit that would even restrict God--during the times God has appointed to--not to limit--but literally (as men like to say) pour out His spirit upon all flesh. Do you not see the error in that?

And what of God's appointing of "some prophets" during these times? Do you not know that they also are among the sheep--or even not, as was the case with John the Baptist?

Sadly, your counsel does not include the whole counsel of God.

 

[Justified]

It saddens me to read this because 1) it puts a governor on the scriptures that is not God alone but the ways, logic and reasoning of men, and 2) it hinders the Spirit (which you didn't mention).

But yes--and I wanted so to say Hallelujah to your first three paragraphs--because that much is indeed a problem! But I could not because you then attributed the good warnings against such only to things not tamely and acceptably within the church that those "false teachers" and "prophets" entered into forming much of modern doctrine; and only to what was written on parchment, and not allowing for what is written on hearts as promised.

So the rules adopted by so many, as you have defined them, are a limit that would even restrict God--during the times God has appointed to--not to limit--but literally (as men like to say) pour out His spirit upon all flesh. Do you not see the error in that?

And what of God's appointing of "some prophets" during these times? Do you no know that they also are among the sheep--or even not, as was the case with John the Baptist?

Sadly, your counsel does not include the whole counsel of God.

Hasn’t God himself already put limits? In addition to warnings about false prophets and false teachers, and to ensure correct doctrine is taught:

Deu 4:2 You shall not add to the word that I command you, nor take from it, that you may keep the commandments of the LORD your God that I command you.

Deu 12:32 “Everything that I command you, you shall be careful to do. You shall not add to it or take from it.

Rev 22:18 I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book,
Rev 22:19 and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book.

Anything that contradicts Scripture is not of God. Given that errors and false teaching were occurring during the time of the apostles and Peter states that some things Paul wrote were hard to understand, don’t we all the more need rules today to ensure proper exegesis is done to keep errors as much to a minimum as possible? Rules for interpretation are intended to prevent things like the NAR and Word of Faith movements. But here we are.

 

[ScottA]

Hasn’t God himself already put limits? In addition to warnings about false prophets and false teachers, and to ensure correct doctrine is taught:

Deu 4:2 You shall not add to the word that I command you, nor take from it, that you may keep the commandments of the LORD your God that I command you.

Deu 12:32 “Everything that I command you, you shall be careful to do. You shall not add to it or take from it.

Rev 22:18 I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book,
Rev 22:19 and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book.

Anything that contradicts Scripture is not of God. Given that errors and false teaching were occurring during the time of the apostles and Peter states that some things Paul wrote were hard to understand, don’t we all the more need rules today to ensure proper exegesis is done to keep errors as much to a minimum as possible? Rules for interpretation are intended to prevent things like the NAR and Word of Faith movements. But here we are.

You were doing well until the last paragraph--with all exegesis.

It is indeed understandable that we might think to add more rules--but it is not biblically advisable. That is what Israel did and got it trouble for it, for looking to the letter of the Law rather than the spirit, and for reasoning among themselves.

But exegesis is just men of whatever actual level of understanding leaning on their own understanding and making their own rules. Such a test, is no test at all...except as a test of those making and imposing the rules. And, no, rules are not the problem--John the Baptist and others were totally abandon to God, but were persecuted if not killed for honoring only God.

To the contrary, much of the New Testament was devoted to usher in the Kingdom of God whom is spirit, and abiding in the Spirit and not the cares of this world and the teachings of men. The time of Christ was actually the kickoff, but yes, here we are with many still looking to their own resources in judgement of other men, and preferring the ways of this world, and the flesh. I mean--for example--Jesus said He was coming/returning in the glory of the Father...and the glory of the Father is the flesh right? No, absolutely not! But that is what the greater portion of all of Christendom believes and teaches--and vehemently defends it with their exegesis and teachings of men who went before them against the warnings of "false teachers" entering the church with their "destructive heresies" during the times to come that are still being taught.

We were suppose to "press on" "bringing the flesh under subjection to the Spirit", "even leaving behind the elementary principles of Christ." But we have failed to do so...and so, yes, there are wolves among the sheep--but they are not who those wolves say they are and would have you believe. Just ask them...but bring a sling!

 

[Brakelite]

Do you really think that the Lord in 2000 years of church history could not reveal these "higher truths" to the church and was forced to wait until so and so came along to tell us that God revealed to them what He actually meant to say?

There truths taught and accepted by the early church, that for 1500 years were trodden under foot, obscured, and laid aside in favor of superstitions and traditions that contradicted scripture. Then the reformation came which Brendan a work of restoration. Has that work finished? If not, then yes, there is need of teaching that will sound new and commonly rejected by the present orthodoxy.

 

[mailmandan]

Jesus warned us to be wary of the wolves in sheeps' clothing!

Matthew 7:15
Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.

There are so many people wandering the halls of Christianity and on this forum who appear to be sheep or shepherds but in fact are ravenous wolves who either knowingly or unknowingly are leading the flocks of God astray.

Think for a moment. How many times have you seen people on these threads who promote "new teaching", "new revelation, " "higher spiritual meaning" or even boldly reinterpreting the Word of God. Do you really think that the Lord in 2000 years of church history could not reveal these "higher truths" to the church and was forced to wait until so and so came along to tell us that God revealed to them what He actually meant to say?

Also do you think that God, who created language and grammar, needs us to edit His Inspired Word and have someone reveal to us that even though God insspired words to be read, He really meant something else?

There isd a way to reasd the bible that is safe and causes one to learn and grow in grace and knowledge. It is known as the literal/historical/grammatical method of understanding Scripture. Or the golden rule of interpretation:

“When the plain sense of Scripture makes common sense, seek no other sense; therefore, take every word at its primary, ordinary, usual, literal meaning unless the facts of the immediate context, studied in the light of related passages and axiomatic and fundamental truths, indicate clearly otherwise.”–Dr. David L. Cooper (1886-1965),
founder of The Biblical Research Society

This method recognizes that the bible uses symbols, apocalyptic language, idioms and metaphors. However the bible also defines its symbols and we need not seek to go outside of Scripture itself. the only time we need to study outside of Scripture is to learn the culture and idiomatic use of language the originals used. This will keep us much freer from error than all these new "higher spiritual meanings" that keep popping up. Jesus warned us that in these last days false prophets and teachings would abound!