A Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing
“Pseudo Christian Predators”
Matt S Jan 16th 2017 Part 16.
I have used this picture before in Part 3 of my series on narcissism. Generally this is a good description of the “larger than life”, “butter wouldn’t melt in your mouth” man or woman, who may enter your life and seem just perfect until the cracks start to show. In this article I am going to focus on a particular type of predator.
There is a special breed of “predator” that seems to catch many Christians unaware even today!! We are in many ways conditioned to think the best of our fellow Christians, but there are some people out there that know to take advantage of this. There is no shortage of material written about the dangers that these people present, and no shortage of accounts of the trail of damaged lives they leave behind them.
So who am I talking about? I am talking about the “Jim Jones” type individuals of this world. Jim Jones may be an extreme example in some ways but he characterises the control that a “Man of Faith”, a Christian can have over people. If you don’t know the story of Jim Jones there is a TV mini series that is well worth the watch if you can get it, the title is the “Guyana Tragedy”, it describes what lead to the murder/suicide of more than 900 of Jim Jones followers.
Jim Jones was a controlling predator at the extreme end of the scale, but there are many more like him out there that wreak havoc on a smaller scale. What is disturbing is the way they deceive, manipulate, mesmerise and control good Christian folk. I have had contact with and talked to a number of people who thought that they were discerning of such individuals but got caught out in some way by one of these individuals. We hear reports of pastors and ministers that have a fall from grace from time to time. These are usually reported through the Christian and the Main Stream Media. We usually hear about the gossip associated with such events and often the facts are left languishing. There are times when these high profile Christians are the victims, and there are times when they are the predator, caught in the act and exposed.
So how do we know who is the victim and who is the predator in these situations? Often we don’t!! Things get so muddied and confused and covered up that we will possibly never know in some situations what really happened. But you can bet your boots there’s a “pseudo Christian predator” in the mix somewhere hiding under a rock.
Unless someone has kept records of events, transcripts/notes, texts, audio recordings, photographs and or videos as evidence to support their case or blackmail the victim, it can be one person’s word against another. In the case of there being no evidence against the perpetrator, this will often benefit the predator, as there is nothing that would bring an outright conviction. As we know narcissists will lie and embellish the truth in order to cover their tracks. They will also go on a “smear campaign” to portray the victim as unreliable, or a bit crazy, or unstable.
Victims of “pseudo Christian predators” often refuse to speak out as they know that they do not have enough evidence to support their case. They may have also been threatened in some way, either with blackmail or with verbal threats of physical harm. Often these predators will get some “dirt” on the victim; it may be that the predator will create the situation that will incriminate the victim. This often prevents the victim from exposing the predator and allows the predator to keep operating or go and set up elsewhere.
I saw this cartoon when doing my research and although it relates to another situation in the Christian body it is typical of what may occur when the “predator” is surrounded by “enabling” sheep, the whistle-blower is made to look like the troublemaker.
So would it surprise you to know that Jesus warned about these predators?
A Tree and Its Fruit
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.
Jesus did have something to say about these predators!!
Jesus refers to them as “false prophets” in “sheep’s clothing” who “inwardly are ravenous wolves”.
Jesus talks about these individuals that will come with a false message (a message of deception), they will appear to be good but on the inside they will be like “ravenous wolves”. What is it that you think of, when read the term “ravenous wolves”? What images does this bring to mind for you? For me it brings images of a starving, wild predatory beast that must feed at all costs to satisfy its hunger. However this particular ravenous beast is appears in a godly and innocent form. You cannot see the dangerous and predatory nature superficially but it tends to reveal itself to those closest to the predator after a while. In other words you will be half way down its throat before you realise you are being eaten!! The predator may deliberately let their guard down if they believe they are in no danger of being exposed. Intuitive and discerning folk near them may recognise the predatory behaviour that leaks out from under the woollen fleece.
Characteristics of a “Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing”
There are some really good articles on this that give some detail on the characteristics of these “religious predators”.
The “wolf in sheep’s clothing” comes disguised in a covering of religiosity. They will be pious and put on pretence of sanctimonious and righteous behaviour.
The “wolf in sheep’s clothing” will use scripture to support their position but will twist the meaning to suit their purposes. They may use religious sounding phrases. They will have a good knowledge of the bible but will wilt and run, or get nasty under close examination of their use of scripture.
The “wolf in sheep’s clothing” will be central in “their” ministry; the focus will be on that person and what they are doing. It will become all about them. They will often be charismatic and mesmerising.
The “wolf in sheep’s clothing” will be known by their fruit, they may show some initial small demonstration of generosity as the Pharisee’s did but they will be amassing money, seducing vulnerable men, women and children to aid their cause. When exposed they will show that they contribute nothing and take everything. Their fruit will be bad, as Jesus put it, “thistles and thorns”.
The “wolf in sheep’s clothing” will be predatory underneath their false exterior. They will use people sexually, financially, emotionally, spiritually, they will take what they want all in the name of God. They will take all these things with falsehood and lies. They will be nasty and offensive when exposed and will attack anyone who dares to challenge them. This of course will be done in the name of God and some biblical pretext will be used to justify their position.
The “wolf in sheep’s clothing” will be an expert manipulator, they will know how to fool people and deny any wrongdoing. They will work hard to cover their tracks in order to deflect any blame or scrutiny. They will know how to manipulate vulnerable people. As mentioned, Christians tend to want to believe the best of people and that is generally a good thing but these predators know how to exploit this.
The “wolf in sheep’s clothing” will see themselves as special, having some special talent or having some sort of divine calling, possibly some false prophetic word that they themselves “received” personally from God or an angel or had this spoken over them. They may have some new revelation or advocate a new way of doing things in order to gain salvation that is contrary to scripture.
The “wolf in sheep’s clothing” may be “hiding” (as opposed to repented sin) an extensive history of financial fraud and chaos, sexual/emotional/physical abuse of others. They may also hide a history of false prophecy/prophetic utterances. They may have false histories to cover their true identity and their train wreck lives.
The “wolf in sheep’s clothing” will gather around them (given enough time) a group of supporters and flying monkey’s who will defend them against anyone that would question the wolf’s integrity. They will happily sit behind this “pack” of unwitting sycophants. (see the cartoon earlier in this article)
Why are Christians so susceptible to becoming victims of a “Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing”?
I have discussed this a little in the beginning of the article but Christians seem to think that their fellow Christian should treat them in a way they treat others (you know!! Golden Rule and all that). Yes it should be that way, but it is not. We should be able to trust our fellow brethren to make an effort to hold to biblical standards of behaviour. But then there are the predators, psychopaths, snake oil salesmen, con artists, narcissists, coven members and luciferians (or a mixed bag of all the aforementioned villains), many folk, Christian and non-Christian alike have been CONditioned to respond to certain types of people, predators in one form or another if you will. I know this from personal experience having been raised by someone who was predatory, but conditioned me to believe that they could do no wrong. It was so strong that I still believed it until some years ago. I remember having this “moment” when the lights went on, when I got a visual picture inside my head of the person “lying their head off” but presenting as perfect. You know!! Figuring out that the angel is actually lucifer!! Pseudo Christian predators may woo you with flattering words and promises of good things or the chance to be great with them, a little like the con job that the snake perpetrated on Eve in the Garden of Eden. They may see a weakness in a individual, they are very astute at finding and exploiting unmet needs in people and then they will rope people in. Next minute you will be giving them your money, your house, your body and your time.
CONclusion
In line with what I have been writing about in recent months, I think that you get the picture. The “wolf in sheep’s clothing” is at the very least a roaring narcissist, at the worst a devious demonically inspired psychopath.
Please read 1 Timothy 4:1-7, Matthew 24:3-5, Matthew 24:23-27, 1 Peter 5:8, and most of all 2 Timothy 3:1-9 .
Folks!! This is a warning to the body of Christ. Be alert, be on your guard. Do not be deceived!! How often have you read these things in scripture, and coming from Jesus himself? There is a scripture where Jesus tells you how you should think and behave in relation to these predators. Jesus says he is sending us out amongst the wolves and that we should be a shrewd as serpents and as gentle as doves. Yep!! There is Jesus using that “wolf” word again. What a great verse (Matthew 10:16). It gives us permission to be discerning, on our guard, mistrustful until proven otherwise (what do you think as shrewd as a serpent actually means?).
It is my belief that we are coming to the end of the age that Jesus describes in Matthew 24 and Luke 21. A sign of these times will be deceivers and false prophets, “WOLVES IN SHEEP”S CLOTHING”. They are amongst us now and will only increase. Jesus asks to watch out for these predators because we will be amongst them, and they will be amongst us Matthew 7:15. Allow the Holy Spirit to guide you, ask God for discernment, be mindful not to accept all things at face value unless otherwise proven; satan will use every method of deception to draw you away from Jesus. Look for the clues, be watchful for these predators, be wary, and at the same time enjoy the fellowship with the genuine caring folk who have your best interests at heart.
Watch out for the predators, “the wolves in sheep’s clothing”
I know it’s been a while since my last article; it may be a little while until my next, I have a few things on my plate at this time so to speak. I pray that you have a good week and that God keeps your life free from predators, God bless you all.
Here is my gmail address, if anyone has a question or a comment they can send it to me. I am not on Face Book; I struggle to keep up with emails at times as I work full time. If you do send me an email I will do my best to respond to you however it may not be quick response. My gmail address is as follows; mattsamtm@gmail.com
Research References/Credits
https://biblescienceguy.wordpress.com/2011/03/24/wolf-in-sheeps-clothing/
http://www.whatchristianswanttoknow.com/wolf-in-sheeps-clothing-5-tips-to-identify-one/
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