Following a Wolf: How to Recognize a Good Shepherd, a Bad Shepherd, and a Wolf

Core Message

The quality of your spiritual diet — determined by whether you follow a good shepherd, bad shepherd, or wolf — directly determines your spiritual growth, your ability to hear Jesus's voice, and your deliverance into wholeness.

Key Scripture

So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs. — John 21:15 (KJV)

3 Key Takeaways

1. A good shepherd's first duty is to feed the flock a customized spiritual diet suited to each sheep's calling, not to perform or accumulate followers.
2. The inability to recognize the voice of Jesus is a diet problem — when sheep are fed a pastor's fears and doctrines instead of God's intended nourishment, they lose the capacity to discern the Shepherd's voice.
3. Hunger for spiritual power and gifts above hunger for Jesus Himself is the primary doorway to deception and spiritual destruction.

Prayer Focus

Pray that you would hunger for Jesus above all spiritual gifts and experiences, that you would be fed the right spiritual diet from a true shepherd, and that the Holy Spirit would bring you into complete wholeness — spiritual, mental, emotional, and financial.