Daily Bible Study
The English word wolf originated from the old Anglo-Saxon word wulf, meaning to tear. Despite their bad reputation (many people dislike wolves because wolves commonly hunt in packs, just like humans often do), wolves do have a useful purpose to nature; their prey tends to be those who are the inferior members of any particular species, leaving the strongest animals to survive and pass their superior survival characteristics on to succeeding generations, thereby actually benefiting the species as a whole. It's only when wolves become too plentiful for a particular area, or when they begin hunting domestic animals that they become a genuine problem (wolf attacks on humans are rare). Wolves are sometimes used as an analogy for certain forms of despicable human behavior, such as misfit politicians who usurp high government office through election fraud and then manipulate and mislead their too-trusting followers thereafter by endless lies and deception (e.g. the 1997 movie Wag The Dog was more than just a masterpiece of cynical political fiction, it was very much the all too easily-recognizable reality of today). The Bible uses wolves as an analolgy for those who prey upon God's "sheep."
"Wolves In Sheep's Clothing"
Jesus Christ warned Believers to watch out for "wolves" - a warning that included a warning to the wolves themselves of the fate that awaits them if they don't repent of their evil:
"Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thorns, or figs from thistles? So, every sound tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears evil fruit. A sound tree cannot bear evil fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus you will know them by their fruits. "Not every one who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father Who is in heaven [see Christian Living]. On that day many will say to Me, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your Name [to understand the two ways that God's Name is taken in vain, see The Third Commandment], and cast out demons in Your Name, and do many mighty works in Your Name?' [see I Did It My Way...] And then will I declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from Me, you evildoers.'" (Matthew 7:15-23 RSV)
"Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves; so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves. Beware of men; for they will deliver you up to councils, and flog you in their synagogues, and you will be dragged before governors and kings for My sake, to bear testimony before them and the Gentiles. When they deliver you up, do not be anxious how you are to speak or what you are to say; for what you are to say will be given to you in that hour; for it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you." (Matthew 10:16-20 RSV)
The apostle Paul also warned to be on guard for the "wolves" that would surely come:
"Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all of you, for I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God. Take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God which he obtained with the blood of his own Son. I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; and from among your own selves will arise men speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them." (Acts 20:26-30 RSV)
Fact Finder: Is Jesus Christ the "good shepherd" who protects His sheep from "wolves". John 10:11-16