How can believers ensure they follow the true Shepherd, not "thieves and robbers"? The Passage “Truly, truly, I tell you, whoever does not enter the sheepfold by the gate, but climbs in some other way, is a thief and a robber. But the one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep… All who came before Me were thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them… I am the gate. If anyone enters through Me, he will be saved… The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it in all its fullness.” (John 10:1–2, 8–10) Thieves and Robbers Defined • Anyone who offers access to God apart from Christ’s finished work • Leaders who distort, add to, or subtract from Scripture (Galatians 1:8) • Voices that draw attention to themselves rather than to the Lord (Acts 20:30) The Voice That Guides • “He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out… his sheep follow him because they know his voice.” (John 10:3–4) • Scripture is that voice made plain (2 Timothy 3:16). • The Spirit echoes the written Word, never contradicting it (John 16:13). Practices That Keep Us with the True Shepherd • Daily intake of Scripture—reading, hearing, memorizing, obeying • Prayerful dependence—asking the Spirit to clarify and apply the Word • Gathering with the flock—sound, Word-centered fellowship and teaching (Hebrews 10:24-25) • Immediate obedience—doing what the Shepherd says, reinforcing recognition of His voice (Luke 6:46-49) • Continual repentance—turning away from any competing allegiance (James 4:7-8) Identifying False Voices • Message departs from “Jesus Christ come in the flesh” (1 John 4:2-3) • Fruit reveals corruption—greed, immorality, pride (Matthew 7:15-20) • Scripture twisted or selectively ignored (2 Peter 3:16-17) • Pressure to follow personality over Christ (1 Corinthians 1:12-13) • Promises life while excusing sin (Jude 4) Guardrails for Discernment • Test every spirit against Scripture (1 John 4:1) • Check teaching with diligent study, like the Bereans (Acts 17:11) • Seek counsel from mature, Bible-anchored believers (Proverbs 11:14) • Observe long-term character, not momentary charisma (1 Timothy 4:16) Blessings of Staying with the Shepherd • Salvation and security: “no one can snatch them out of My hand” (John 10:28) • Nourishment and rest: “find pasture” (John 10:9) • Abundant life now and forever (John 10:10; Psalm 23:1-6) • Confidence on the day of His return (1 Peter 5:4) Living It Out Today • Open the Bible first—before media, opinions, or trends. • Ask, “Does this teaching drive me deeper into Christ and His Word?” • Stay close to a healthy local church where Scripture governs every practice. • When a voice conflicts with the written Word, flee; the Shepherd is never behind a lie. |
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