J.A. Matteson
Knowing apart from doing is worthless, and wisdom rejected brings many sorrows. "Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves" (Matt. 7:15). Pretense disguises insincerity and is known by its affect. Worship attendance, tithing, baptism, knowledge of scripture and ministry outwardly adorn the inner orientation of the sheep answering the call of the Great Shepherd. Love toward the Lord Jesus Christ and obedience is the source of their adornment. Sheep love the brethren, seeking their welfare, considering and acting upon their needs. Wolves love self and their desire for preeminence produces a markedly different affect upon the sheep. The disconnect between the wolves profession and reality is stark as its affect is clearly experienced by the sheep as bitter unprofitable humanism. Cloaked in spiritual adornment they are as clouds without rain, lukewarm water that neither refreshes or heals. Blessed is the the Good Shepherd, the Lord Jesus Christ, who protects His sheep through the grace of spiritual discernment to distinguish truth from error and sheep from wolves.
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