I can’t forget the young lady who approached me after I had spoken at a youth conference. “Susie, how can you say it’s wrong to have sex outside of marriage? My youth pastor says God understands. We’re sexual people. He created us this way.”

And I can’t forget God’s Holy Word: “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it” (Matthew 7:13-14).

Just How Narrow Is Narrow?
Right after Jesus warns about the narrow gate, He goes on to talk about people who appear as sheep (loving, gentle, tolerant) but who are actually appearing in disguise, because underneath the layers of tolerance are wolves dressed as godly people.

Let’s face it: Most of the world is walking on the wide road. May I be blunt? Most of the world is headed for hell. Let’s take a look at the same Scripture from The Living Bible paraphrase: “Heaven can be entered only through the narrow gate! The highway to hell is broad, and its gate is wide enough for all the multitudes who choose its easy way. But the Gateway to Life is small, and the road is narrow, and only a few ever find it” (Matthew 7:13-14).

Just what if . . . many of those who preach, teach, sing, write and speak “in the name of Jesus” really aren’t speaking in His name? Is that possible? According to Jesus, it’s not only possible, it’s happening.

Wait a second, Susie! I’m a Brio Sis reading this page, and before you go any further, I have to interrupt. Are you suggesting that my Bible professor may not be a Christian?

Only God knows a person’s heart. But I am saying that anyone (a professor, pastor, youth minister, Sunday school teacher, evangelist, missionary, singer, writer, chaplain, mentor . . . Brio editor) who’s teaching something that can’t be backed by the Word of God may be teaching something that’s false.

Watch Out!
So keep your ears tuned. Be attentive. Learn to live on the spiritual defense. Just because someone who’s articulate, dynamic, persuasive and popular says something that sounds intelligent, exciting, right and logical, doesn’t mean it’s a message from God—or even a message you should hear.

Satan is smarter than you and I put together! In fact, he’s so cunning, so creative, so manipulative, Scripture tells us that he often even disguises himself as an angel! “Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light” (2 Corinthians 11:14).

Many times the people who deceive us don’t look evil. They’re not the serial killers, those on death row or terrorists. We’re smart enough not to be taken in by those folks. The ones who will deceive us are popular, charming, intelligent people who draw us to them with magnetic personalities.

Where are they?

Well, the Bible says many of them are in the church.

What?!?!

“But the Holy Spirit tells us clearly that in the last times some in the church will turn away from Christ and become eager followers of teachers with devil-inspired ideas. These teachers will tell lies with straight faces and do it so often that their consciences won’t even bother them” (1 Timothy 4:1-2, The Living Bible).

Allow me to put that in my own language: There will be teachers on Christian campuses, youth pastors in local churches and pastors who preach televised sermons that aren’t really grounded in God’s truth. It’ll sound good. And we’ll want to believe them, because they’re wonderful people—likeable, popular, fun, cool.

But again . . . if the voice you’re hearing doesn’t bear the truth of the Bible, it’s not the voice to heed.

The Bible: God’s Authoritative Truth
OK, I gotta admit, what you’re saying is making me uncomfortable. Are there specific examples in the Bible where people listened to wolves in sheep’s clothing?

Several. But let’s just take one. Flip to 2 Chronicles 18. I’ll recap the story. Wicked King Ahab wanted godly King Jehoshaphat to go to war with him to conquer the land of Ramoth Gilead. (Why Jehoshaphat was friends with Ahab is a huge red flag, but that’s another story!)

Jehoshaphat told Ahab he wanted to ask God about it. So Ahab brought in 400 of his prophets. These were people who looked sharp! They dressed right. They spoke articulately. And though they were heathen prophets, they were admired by hundreds of people throughout Ahab’s kingdom. They appeared to know God’s voice.

When Ahab asked them to discern God’s will on attacking Ramoth Gilead, all 400 of them responded with affirmation. “Yeah, sure! God’s behind this! He’ll give you victory!” they shouted with enthusiasm (and I’m paraphrasing; please read the story straight from the Bible).

Out of 400 polished, popular, positive voices that screamed a message that sounded right, Jehoshaphat didn’t hear the voice of the Lord.

I love it! He knew God’s voice so well, he was able to discern out of a massive spirit rally screaming, “Victory is yours!” that he hadn’t heard the voice of his Father.

That’s discernment. And that’s exactly what God wants for you.

The whole kingdom fell for the sound of wolves speaking through sheep’s clothing—except for Jehoshaphat and one other godly man: Micaiah.

In Your World
Your entire campus may flock to the popular prof in the religion department who happens to be everyone’s favorite. Your entire youth group may be mesmerized with the magnetic leader. You may be in awe of the popular “Christian” singer who’s handsome and dynamic and delivers ballads on velvet chords. But if what they’re singing, teaching or preaching can’t be backed by God’s Holy Word, they’re not the ones to admire, follow or heed. (I want to add, however, that most pastors, religion profs, etc. aren’t trying to deceive but are genuinely attempting to do the Lord’s work.)

So let’s get personal. If you hear me speak, or if you read something I write that doesn’t line up with the Bible, TUNE ME OUT.

And pray, Brio Sisses! Pray for God’s discernment so you won’t be taken in by a handsome wolf who carries an eerie similarity to a sheep.