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Why did Jesus refer to false teachers as wolves?

Is there some significance regarding the wolf vs. other wild animals like lions?

John 10:12

AMP - 12 But the hired servant (he who merely serves for wages) who is neither the shepherd nor the owner of the sheep, when he sees the wolf coming, deserts the flock and runs away. And the wolf chases and snatches them and scatters [the flock].

Clarify Share Report Asked December 02 2015 Mini Adewale Ademola Supporter

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Mini James Kraft Supporter 74 year old retired pipeline worker
False teachers are those that add works to salvation, which is by faith alone in the finished work of Christ. Galatians 1:7-9. Paul said if anyone preaches another gospel than the gospel of grace to save sinners, they will be accursed.

This is the fruit that the bible talks about. The fruit is what people preach. If it includes works for salvation, it is a false gospel. Those that add works to salvation are preaching another gospel and not only will they be lost but those they teach it will be lost.

Those that believe a saved person can live without sin are deceived and the truth is not in them. First John 1:8

Wolves always add something to the gospel to be saved. It is salvation by works instead of by grace and what Jesus did for us to save us sinners. 

We come to Jesus just as we are without one plea, we have nothing to offer God, but He offers Jesus as a free gift that we might be saved by faith in Him alone.

After we are saved we should do good works to bring glory to God and lay up treasures in heaven. But our works have nothing to do with salvation which was done at the cross.

We have far too many cults and false teachers, preaching another gospel. They will be accursed, as they have never entered in by faith alone, and they will not let others enter in either. The fruit of the gospel is the truth of the gospel, and we better not be preaching another gospel as we will be accursed.

No one can earn salvation. It can only be accepted as a free gift. By the works of the law shall no flesh be justified. We are justified by faith in Christ alone with nothing from us. We have nothing to boast in except the cross because Jesus paid it all. 

If there was any other way to be saved than by the finished work of Christ, then Jesus died in vain.

Those that are trusting in their own righteousness are not saved. Those that have put their faith in Christ alone, are saved and have eternal life They are given Christ's righteousness, and sin can no more be imputed to them. Romans 4:1-8 To him that worketh not, his faith is accounted to him for righteousness.

Matthew 7:15-23 Jesus talks about wolves in sheep's clothing that come into the church preaching a gospel of works salvation. He said they are preaching bad fruit. Then he goes on to say that many will come to me in that day and tell me about all their good works. They ever call Him Lord, but have never trusted Him as their savior and are depending on their works, what they do, to earn them heaven. They say Lord Lord, what about all my good works? I helped the poor, I went to church three times a week, I gave money to further the gospel, I helped build churches, I healed in your name, I even cast out demons in your name. 

And Jesus has to tell them, depart from me I never knew you. Why, they depended on their works, what they did, and not on the blood sacrifice of Jesus alone. They had something to boast in, but not before God. Romans 4:2 If Abraham were justified by works, he would have something to glory in, but not before God. 

We can justify ourselves before men by what we do, our works, but not before God. He knows who has trusted Him alone by faith alone to save us sinners.

The gospel is that Jesus paid for all our sins, according to the Scriptures, that He was buried and rose again after three days according to the scriptures. First Corinthians 15:1-4 

If we add or take away any thing from that gospel, Paul said we will be accursed.

February 13 2017 3 responses Vote Up Share Report


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My picture Jack Gutknecht Supporter ABC/DTS graduate, guitar music ministry Baptist church
Sure, the devil is like a roaring lion, seeking whom he devour but his demons are like wolves, sneaky, planning their attack. They disguise themselves as angels of light. You are thinking they are Christians, but really they are wolves in sheep's clothing. Beware!

January 14 2024 0 responses Vote Up Share Report


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