They Are Not Sheep

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They Are Not Sheep

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These are people who look religious and pious on the outside, but who are the opposite on the inside. Don Marquis once wrote, "A Pharisee is a man who prays publicly and preys privately." There is a certain amount of trust that we will always need to show to our fellow man. In most cases, that trust is not lost or broken. By and large, people are honest.

Some are not. Some are ravenous wolves on the inside looking for what gain they may have (Proverbs 6:1-4). Life teaches us to have our wits about us in transactions and dealings with one another. It is common sense not to put ourselves in a vulnerable position. That cannot always be avoided, but with care, those times can be minimized. The Bible encourages us to get out of situations in which we are vulnerable even if the other person is a friend (Proverbs 6:1-4).

Comments

  • Norbert Z

    Ivan,

    When you mentioned, 'Meeting together every Sabbath provides a wonderful opportunity for brethren to "promote love and good works"'

    Indeed it does but there is more to it. It doesn't exclude meeting together as pointed out in Jude 1:12 "These are spots in your feasts of charity, when they feast with you, feeding themselves without fear: clouds they are without water, carried about of winds; trees whose fruit wither, without fruit, twice dead, plucked up by the roots;"

    Or when Peter mentions in 2Pet 2:1 "But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privately shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring on themselves swift destruction."

    The point being a person won't find a "perfect" church seeing that even those in Philadelphia have a problem with those who wish to "take your crown" (Rev 3:11).

    Basically all this shouldn't stop a person from attending a church even though each church has it's problems (Heb 10:25). Albeit a person would need to choose WISELY.

    There are people who "promote love and good works" and in doing so are talented in separating people from their money. The kind of person that does that are not sheep. This can happen even in the UCG.

  • Ivan Veller

    Meeting together every Sabbath provides a wonderful opportunity for brethren to "promote love and good works" (Hebrews 10:24 HCSB), mutually edifying and encouraging one another in our Christian walk together as close spiritual family.

    http://www.ucg.org/find-congregation/

  • Sherrie_Giddens

    The United Church of God has many congregations. Patty Rainey you may find that you can attend with others that are also seeking the truth and share your journey. Do a search on this site for a congregation near you.

  • Lena VanAusdle

    @Patty: you're right, there are many churches that are teaching and preaching the wrong thing, but not all. You're goal should be to find a church that teaches the truth of the Bible, since the Bible says not to forsake the assembling together. If you see the truth being taught on this website, you might want to check for a congregation in your area.

  • Norbert Z

    It is known that con men do target religious groups because of the trusting nature found within them. The problem is mostly found in main stream denominational churches where there is a fair amount of wealthy retired and elderly people.

    However I wouldn't put CoGs nowadays as completely immune from this kind of wolf in sheep clothing either.

    Being aware of false doctrine is one thing. Knowing that someone who you believe is a close friend, who shares your same doctrinal stance, but will ask for your money and knowingly decide not to return it is another.

  • KARS

    Hi Patty,
    I understand your frustration. I had to study for nights before I put two and two together. When I finally got so fed up with all the theology of men out their I told God our Father I couldn't take it anymore and please help me understand.
    First thing I had to learn was pray. I didn't know how. So I was lead by prayer to the Book of Psalms. Wow! A new world of prayer opened up to my understanding. From their I learned by scripture that the tribe of Judah (O.T.)would remember the Sabbath day throughout their generations. So once I established that the Sabbath was from Friday sunset to Saturday sunset; I was able to eliminate just about every so called Christian church (Sunday keeping) of this world and their theology. That only left me with 3 choices. Jews, 7th Day Adventist, and The Church of God Sabbath keepers. Well except for the Messianic Jews believing in Christ there were the other two. So I looked into to their theologies and made my decision from there.
    I had to have a sincere heart (for God our Father can see right into our hearts, so why lie? Kind of pointless if you ask me.)for I could not find Him or His Son without their help. It's impossible to do it alone for one finds themself going around in circles and a merrygoround of theologies, fables, customs, superstitions, etc. Talk about a headache. A prayer is very helpful for all stituations in our lives. Just remember. R-E-S-P-E-C-T! We should always approach God our Father with respect in the name of Jesus Christ.

  • Patty Rainey

    There are so many Churches now that say "We have to follow the Scriptures" "The Laws still apply" yet they will teach us to put up a Christmas Tree (the Baptist Church I was going to did this and had all the congregation hang the ornaments). What are our Pastors/Preachers learning in their training (Pagan Rituals I think) that they are now bringing into the Church and leading us down the "Wide Gate". I am a new Christian of 3 years now, diligently searching TRUTH. I would rather stay home and study Gods Word than to go to a building and be led astray with so many others.

  • Nelson

    This is an important warning to us all. Who is negotiating always tries to show a good image , trying to be nice to achieve your goal ! Most of the time shows up and kind friend , but will not avoid harm to your opponent to achieve gains . This wolf is each time more present in our daily reality. Experience leads us toward an attitude of observation of small details , because usually the Wolf is convinced that he is the smartest and most intelligent of all human beings. Looking at the details and seeking the protection of our Creator and the light , the Wolf will show who he really is !
    Thanks for the warning !

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