We see the danger of false shepherds throughout God’s word. Jesus provides insight into the difference between a real and a false shepherd. John 10:1“I tell you the truth, anyone who sneaks over the wall of a sheepfold, rather than going through the gate, must surely be a thief and a robber! 2 But the one who enters through the gate is the shepherd of the sheep.[1] There are many false shepherds today, even within the Christian church, who twist God’s word and, in a figurative sense, are thieves and robbers.
The book of Genesis is the foundation of the Bible and is also among the most criticized for being made up of fairy tales. Moses authored the first five books of the Bible, as cited in Joshua 8:31. In one story, after his brother and sister complain to God, the Lord responds to them. Numbers 12:2But the Lord heard them. 3 (Now Moses was very humble—more humble than any other person on earth.) [2] Describing Moses as the humblest person on earth portrays someone who is a true shepherd and does not deceive people with fairy tale stories. Calling many of the stories in Genesis fairy tales sounds like the opinion of a thief and a robber who is trying to destroy the foundation of God’s word.
How Can I Recognize a False Shepherd?
When discerning whether someone is a false shepherd, the Lord provides us with clear instructions. James 1:5 If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking. [3]
A true shepherd will uphold sound doctrines that align with the teaching of God’s word. Paul gives instructions for leaders. Titus 1:9He must have a strong belief in the trustworthy message he was taught; then he will be able to encourage others with wholesome teaching and show those who oppose it where they are wrong.[4] This means that a faithful shepherd not only lovingly shares the truth but also addresses any errors that don’t match God’s word.
Additionally, consider the fruits of those teachings. Jesus highlights how we can identify genuine leaders in Matthew 7:16-20 by their fruitfulness. The fruit of the Spirit marks true shepherds who should naturally reflect Christ’s love.
Spending Time with God and His Word
As I spend time in God’s word, worship, and prayer, the Lord helps me grow in discernment and wisdom to understand what is true. Similarly, a bank teller does not study counterfeit currency but the real bills to recognize a fake. Spending time in God’s Word isn’t just about gathering more knowledge. In this information age, we’ve become experts at absorbing facts, but our faith is more than that. It’s about developing a relationship with our Savior, who is the authentic Shepherd.
Jesus tells us how the sheep should discern the danger of false shepherds. John 10:5They (sheep) won’t follow a stranger; they will run from him because they don’t know his voice. [5] To learn more, listen here:
https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/jesus-said-i-am-the-gate
[1-5] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation. Tyndale House Publishers.