WATCH OUT FOR WOLVES!

By Ada Nicholson Brownell

A young couple, newlyweds, and very much in love, enjoyed the freedom they gained when they got away from their parents.

One example of this new freedom was Sunday mornings. Although the young husband and wife were good Christians, they enjoyed not having Mom or Dad yell at them about 7 a.m., “Hey! It’s time to get up and get ready for Sunday school!”

At first they attended Sunday school once in a while, and then it became easier to sleep in an extra hour. Besides, they didn’t really fit in with the other young married couples anyway. Most of them had children.

A year later they still had no fellowship in the church. Their closest friends were not Christians. Now instead of missing only Sunday school, they eliminated Sunday evening and Wednesday evening services and were spasmodic in their Sunday morning worship attendance.

Even though they witnessed occasionally, their personal devotions suffered. It seemed there was never enough time. Their circle of unsaved friends became closer.

Things they used to regard as sin suddenly appeared harmless. They began drinking socially. Then they used the Lord’s name in vain, and their consciences didn’t even wince because almost everyone they knew talked that way.

In a few months both had committed adultery. They planned to repent. They even made an appointment with a marriage counselor. But they didn’t live to keep it. They both died in a car accident.

This young couple separated themselves from the Lord’s flock, and Satan, like a wolf, found them an easy target.

When a wolf attacks a flock of sheep, it first makes a swift wild approach. If all the sheep stay together as they run away, the wolf ends the chase. If, however, one of the sheep gets cut off from the rest or falls behind the wolf pounces on it, snarlingly rips open the throat, and begins to eat the flesh.

“Behold I send you forth as lambs among wolves,” Jesus told His disciples (Luke 10:3).

The apostle Paul also warned against wolves: “After my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock” (Acts 20:29).

Satan uses some of the same tactics as a wolf. That’s why he hates Christian fellowship so much. He’d rather get the Christian off alone so he can come in for the kill.

Those who have studied wolves say that endurance, not speed, is the wolf’s secret of success. The wolf can travel for hours at a fast dogtrot. It lopes at 20 mph across the miles, but can go twice that fast when it comes in for the kill.

Satan also is known for his endurance. He travels on the Christian’s heels, waiting for the right opportunity to move in. No matter how far we go with the Lord, Satan is still ready to come at our throats when we least expect him.

Domestic animals are their most likely prey, and because of this bounties have been placed on wolves. One of the most famous wolves, called Custer, avoided capture 10 years with a $500 bounty on his head. He was blamed for destroying $25,000 worth of domestic animals!

Domestic animals are easy victims for the wolf because they lost their native agility and ability to defend themselves when they no longer had to hunt for their food.

Some Christians likewise have become pampered domestic pets with no ability to fight against the devil. These Christians insist that the pastor or someone constantly attend to them. They don’t search the Word for spiritual wisdom and guidance, but insist on getting their spiritual food from the hand of another Christian.

These spoon-fed Christians become confused when Satan attacks because they haven’t put on the believer’s defense. “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil” (Ephesians 6:10, 11).

The Christian can stand in the face of the enemy. The howl of the wolf in the dark hours should not strike terror in the hearts of the Good Shepherd’s sheep who have the shield of faith and the sword of the Spirit.

Even though the Lord Jesus Christ has gone away into heaven, He gave us power to meet the snarling attacks of Satan.  For “greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world” (1 John 4:4).