What is the nature of a sheep?
“Sheep are best known for their strong flocking (herding) and following instinct. They will run from what frightens them and band together in large groups for protection. This is the only protection they have from predators.”
The above information was taken from the internet. Here we see that sheep are typically very non-threatening by nature. They have a strong urge to follow. This is why they will follow a shepherd. They are also inclined to band together in groups.
How do these traits in sheep translate to the members of the church. First of all, not all members of the church are sheep. Sprinkled among the sheep are some goats and some wolves in sheep’s clothing. The bible tells us we will know people by the fruit they bear. Matthew 7:15-20 15 “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. 16 You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles? 17 Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Therefore by their fruits you will know them.”
I have been thinking about how the strong desire to follow is ingrained in so many of the people in the church. It is evidenced in the stories of people who were led astray by a cult leader. Even though from the outside, it is evident that the leader of the cult is not following the bible, as they may have done before, the members of the cult continue to follow that individual almost blindly. They will sometimes follow until it costs them their lives. Jesus wants us to be wise as serpents and harmless as doves.
Even though we are compared to sheep, we have been given weapons with which to defend ourselves. It is contained in the armor of God. Ephesians 6:13 “Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. “
Jesus is the Good Shepherd, the Good Shepherd laid down His life for His sheep. He tells us that His sheep hears His voice and another voice they will not follow (John 10:27-28). We cannot be led astray as long as we follow Jesus and make sure we know the bible which tells us what is acceptable to God.