Shepherd's Watch: Discerning Wolves Part 2 Identifying the Wolves
- Rev. Bruce A. Shields
- Sep 3
- 5 min read
Updated: Sep 6
In our first post, Shepherd’s Watch: Discerning Wolves, we defined biblically what Christianity truly is. Christianity is not a cultural identity, a man-made religion, or a list of self-improvement steps. According to Scripture, Christianity is rooted in the person and work of Jesus Christ—His death, burial, and resurrection for the forgiveness of sins, and our response of repentance and faith in Him alone. The apostle Paul makes it clear:
Galatians 1:8–9 “But even if we, or an angel from heaven, should proclaim to you a gospel contrary to the gospel we have proclaimed to you, let him be accursed! As we have said before, even now I say again: if any man is proclaiming to you a gospel contrary to what you received, let him be accursed!”
In other words, anyone who teaches something different or in opposition to these foundational truths is a false prophet. Scripture does not tell us to debate with them, to blend their ideas with the truth, or to tolerate them for the sake of unity. It says we are to avoid them at all costs (Romans 16:17). The stakes are high because the souls of men and women hang in the balance. Wolves do not simply exist in the wilds of history—they are among us today, dressed in sheep’s clothing, gaining popularity and leading multitudes astray.
False teaching is not new. What we see today is simply a repackaging of ancient lies with modern vocabulary and cultural appeal. Below are some of the most prevalent distortions of the faith in our time:
1. Prosperity Gospel
This teaching promises guaranteed wealth, health, and success as a result of faith. It twists God into a vending machine, where “seed faith” offerings and positive declarations supposedly unlock riches and healing. The truth? While God blesses His people, Scripture also says believers will suffer trials (2 Timothy 3:12). Christ calls us to take up our cross, not chase after material gain.
2. Word-of-Faith Movement
This teaching claims that our words and declarations literally create reality, giving human beings divine authority over existence. By declaring health, wealth, or blessing, adherents believe they can “speak it into existence.” This denies God’s sovereignty, reducing Him to a cosmic butler, or genie in a bottle, who carries out human wishes. The Bible, however, says that it is God alone who speaks creation into being (Genesis 1), not us.
Ecclesiastes 1:9-10 “That which has been is that which will be, and that which has been done is that which will be done. So there is nothing new under the sun. Is there anything of which one might say, ‘See this, it is new’? Already it has been for ages which were before us.”
Genesis 2:1–2 “Thus the heavens and the earth were completed, and all their hosts. And on the seventh day God completed His work which He had done, and He ceased on the seventh day from all His work which He had done.”
3. Modalism / Denial of the Trinity
An old heresy dressed in new language, modalism denies the eternal three persons of the Godhead—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—claiming instead that God merely reveals Himself in different “modes.” This strikes at the heart of the Christian faith, undermining the very nature of God. Yet from Christ’s baptism (Matthew 3:16–17) to the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19), Scripture reveals one God in three persons.
4. Universalism
This teaching claims that everyone will be saved, denying the reality of eternal judgment and minimizing the holiness of God. It suggests that hell is either temporary or non-existent, which directly contradicts Jesus’ words about eternal punishment for the unrepentant (Matthew 25:46). To embrace universalism is to ignore Christ’s repeated calls to repentance and faith.
5. Progressive Theology
This movement elevates culture, emotions, and personal experiences above Scripture. By redefining sin, reimagining the gospel, and reshaping God into the image of modern values, progressive theology presents a faith that is more palatable to society—but divorced from truth. Yet 2 Timothy 4:3 warns us: “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires.”
The shepherd’s calling is to protect the flock from wolves. As believers, we are commanded to test every teaching against the Word of God (1 John 4:1). The gospel is not ours to reinvent—it is God’s eternal truth, revealed once for all. Our task is to hold firmly to the faith, proclaim the truth with love, and turn away from every counterfeit gospel, no matter how appealing it may sound.
The wolves may change their disguises, but the Word of God never changes. Stay rooted in Scripture, guard your heart, and keep watch. From cover to cover, God’s Word records men of faith calling out deceivers. Jeremiah named Hananiah the false prophet who contradicted God’s warnings ( Jeremiah 28 ). Paul warned Timothy of Hymenaeus and Alexander, who had shipwrecked their faith ( 1 Timothy 1:19–20 ). In his letter to Timothy, Paul again exposed Hymenaeus, this time alongside Philetus, for teaching the resurrection had already happened, upsetting the faith of some ( 2 Timothy 2:17–18 ). John named Diotrephes for opposing apostolic authority ( 3 John 9–10 ).
These examples are not written for historical trivia—they are recorded for our instruction. Shepherds are called to protect their flocks from wolves, and part of that responsibility includes pointing to the danger plainly.
It is important to recognize that not every disagreement over biblical interpretation rises to the level of heresy. Believers may differ on secondary issues such as the order of end-times events or the mode of baptism. These differences, though sometimes sharp, are not the same as outright rebellion against God’s Word.
But when someone blatantly opposes the truth of Scripture, they move from being a brother in error to a false teacher. Such teachings are not harmless alternative views. They are wolves’ teeth, sharpened to destroy faith.
Just as the apostles named false teachers in their day, we too must have the courage to identify heresies and those who promote them. To remain silent in the name of “kindness” is not love—it is negligence. True love warns, and true shepherds guard.
Calling out error is not about pride or superiority; it is about protecting the truth of the gospel and shielding the flock of God from destruction. May we be faithful watchmen, standing firm, pointing clearly to the dangers, and holding fast to the Word that saves.
In the weeks ahead, we will follow the example of the prophets and apostles by calling out some of the more notable false teachers by name. This will not be speculation or opinion—it will be the clear light of God’s Word exposing error. These popular speakers have gained influence, but influence does not equal truth. Their teachings blatantly oppose Scripture, and for the sake of Christ’s flock we will sound the alarm. Our aim is not to tear down people but to strip away the disguise of wolves so true believers are not deceived. The church must be vigilant, the gospel must be guarded, and the wolves must be exposed.
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