Beware of Wolves in Sheepskin

BEWARE OF WOLVES IN SHEEPSKIN

By Ezekiel Kimosop

I once attended a youth conference in a certain Evangelical church in Nairobi. One of the youth had asked me to pass by the conference. Shortly after I arrived, a charismatic preacher going by the title  Apostle X (name withheld) took to the podium. As part of his introduction, he claimed to possess a special apostolic mantle from God. I was curious to understand what exactly he meant by the statement. I had all along sat next to the preacher until his time to speak came but he was not known to me. I later gathered that the man had been invited by one of the youth leaders as one of the key conference speakers after he was spotted in a kesha or overnight prayer meeting in town. Interestingly, no pastor or elder from the local church was in attendance during that afternoon session. 

The short, diminutive man who was clad in a white shirt and grey trousers claimed to possess a special apostolic authority by which he could unlock the heavens at his command. He repeatedly paced the podium as he pompously uttered several decrees. He did not appear to have a scripted sermon or topic at hand. The preaching was punctuated by a concoction of twisted teachings and Scripture texts that were apparently taken out of their passage contexts! I have never come across a passage of Scripture that teaches that God has granted certain people special powers for intercession that are not available to other believers who are faithful to God. 

Having asserted himself, and proclaimed his "authority", Apostle X concluded his preaching by asking his hearers to arise. We all stood up anticipating the benediction. In a surprise move, Apostle X called on the youth to remove whatever money they had in their pockets and hold it high for a special apostolic prayer of blessings. I immediately sensed in my spirit that the man was possibly targeting the money. My fears were confirmed shortly thereafter...

After a brief mantra of slogans, the man demanded that the youth deposit the money at the church altar. Some of the youth were apprehensive but a good number obeyed and dropped the little money they had on the altar. I could imagine that some were parting with their bus fare or pocket money!

The preacher then proclaimed his "apostolic prayer" and decreed that the youth would will get jobs immediately. Never mind that most of the youth were college and senior high school students! 

The man finally concluded his "apostolic prayer" and "decree" with a loud shout and asked for the applause. He then gazed at the altar and realizing that the collection was not impressive, he continued to call upon anyone who had not planted their seed to heed the apostolic decree and walk to the altar. No one responded. Considering the few banknotes and coins that were strewn across the church altar, the "seed" collection was perhaps no more than $10. 

One of the youth leaders stepped forward and collected the money. He placed it in an envelope and handed it over to the preacher who quietly picked it up and walked away in a huff. He suddenly stopped near the door and reminded those whose prayers are answered to call his number which he spelled out twice for them to write down. He forgot to give thanks for the collections!

I am  still apprehensive about the motive behind the request for calling the preacher after one receives a miracle or answered prayer..... was it perhaps for glorifying God or for filing requests for more seed? The preacher then walked out of the sanctuary. I could sense some disappointment in his demeanor. Did he perhaps collect less than he anticipated? Was he rushing to another "apostolic" engagement in town? 

What's the moral here?

I am aware that someone may consider my article to be judgmental of the preacher but that was not my intention in penning down this article. I had never met the man before. I was simply perplexed by his boldness in stealing from his hearers. I would imagine that a guest preacher is usually entitled to a pulpit allowance from his hosts. Why would a preacher play this kind of theatrics? Even if it is granted that the giving was legitimate, why was it not surrendered to the host church? 

We should beware that not all preachers who don apostolic or prophetic titles, clerical robes, and collars have been called by Christ. Some are self seekers out to enrich themselves at the expense of innocent and well-meaning followers. 

Jesus declared in Matthew 7:15-20: "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" (NKJV). 

Paul warned the Ephesians that following his departure from Ephesus, savage wolves would come in among them who would not spare the flock (Acts 20:29). Peter describes these greedy teachers as natural brute beasts, with hearts trained in covetous practices, accursed children who have forsaken the right way and have gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Beor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness (2 Peter 2:12-16).

We need to tell the difference between the lambs and the wolves; the sheep and the goats; the wheat and the chaff; truth and error. This is where the prudence of our discernment lies. 

Beware of wolves in sheepskin...

Read Matthew 7:15, 10:15; Luke 10:3; Acts 20:29; 2 Peter 2, Jude 1.

Shalom

© Ezekiel Kimosop 2021