Unless otherwise stated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the King James Version of the Bible.

Those Who are Wolves

Copyright © 2025 Dag Heward-Mills

First published 2025 by Parchment House

Find out more about Dag Heward-Mills at:

Healing Jesus Campaign

Email: evangelist@daghewardmills.org

Website: www.daghewardmills.org

Facebook: Dag Heward-Mills

Twitter: @EvangelistDag

ISBN : 979-8-89606-684-2

All rights reserved under international copyright law. Written permission must be secured from the publisher to use or reproduce any part of this book.

A king who is loyal and true will keep his power. Loyalty will keep his kingdom strong.

Proverbs 20:28 (ERV)

Chapter 1

Who is a Wolf? What is a Wolf Like?

Wherefore a lion out of the forest shall slay them, AND A WOLF OF THE EVENINGS SHALL SPOIL THEM, a leopard shall watch over their cities: every one that goeth out thence shall be torn in pieces: because their transgressions are many, and their backslidings are increased.

Jeremiah 5:6

1. A wolf is someone who will spoil the church. “A wolf of the evenings shall spoil them.”

Wolves spoil many farms. Wild wolves cause a lot of trouble for farmers and villagers by attacking the flocks, killing the sheep and even sometimes, killing human beings. That is why they are hated by farmers and villagers.

Apostle Paul warns the church about the trouble they will have when the wolves come. A wolf does not care about the trouble he causes within the flock. He will not spare anyone. He will attack no matter what. He is after blood! A wolf is someone who attacks the sheep in the church, never sparing the flock.

Wolves attack sheep, farms and livestock. Wolves will not spare the flock, and they will eventually cause financial loss to the farmer.

The behaviour of evil men matches the behaviour of wild wolves. If you study the characteristics of wolves born in the wild, you will see that wolves will not lose an opportunity to kill and to destroy defenseless sheep. As scripture says, “They will not spare the flock”.

Spiritual wolves are men who do not spare the flock. They kill, eat and destroy the sheep without caring for their souls. Real wild wolves do not care about what they do to sheep. They just eat them up and devour their very lives. After you have encountered a real spiritual ministerial wolf, you can never be the same.

Wolves spoil everything! That is why they must be eliminated. Wolves can and must be eliminated. In the past, France, Spain, Italy, the United Kingdom, and most European states took action against wolves. The hostility against wolves was mainly because of their attacks on domestic livestock. Up until the 19th century, wolves destroyed livestock and were harmful to many sectors of the economy. Anyone who took the menace of wolves lightly did so to his own destruction. Wolves damaged farms so much that they affected the economy of Europe.

For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.

Acts 20:29

2. A wolf is someone who is independent. Wild wolves are independent of human beings.

Dogs submit to human beings. Wolves will not submit to a man!

A wolf has an independent spirit. Spiritual wolves cannot depend on or submit to anyone. Even if a spiritual wolf seems to submit, it can only do so for a short while. Soon, they reveal their true selves. Dogs, on the other hand are often dependent on men.

Unlike dogs, wolves live independent lives and do not depend on man for anything. Wolves are independent creatures! Wolves are independent of man! Wolves do not want or need human company. Wolves live independently and fend for themselves. They do not depend on the men who live in the forests. Wolves do not need humans to survive: Wolves cannot submit to anything or anyone!

Watch out for men who are independent and do not ever seem to blend in or require the fellowship of others. God’s word teaches us to be submitted and dependent on one another, rather than living independently.

Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.

Ephesians 5:21

3. A wolf is someone who cannot be trained or made into a loyal and faithful person. Wild wolves cannot be trained or domesticated.

Train up a child in the way he should go … (Proverbs 22:6)! A human being can be trained! Apostle Paul also taught us in 2 Timothy 2:2 to train other disciples. “And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also” (2 Timothy 2:2).

However, wolves cannot be trained or re-trained! Wolves cannot be trained or domesticated. You are wasting your time trying to make a wolf into a disciple. Jesus came to train us and change us. Unfortunately, wolves cannot be trained or retrained!

Wolves cannot be made into pets! Unlike dogs, wolves have not been domesticated for thousands of years. No matter how you love, feed and care for wolves, they cannot be made into loving pets like dogs. In other words, something within a wolf prevents it from being grateful, loving and kind to someone who has only shown it love and care for many years.

Wolves can cause grave injury to humans, especially as they mature. Dogs, on the other hand, can become great companions!

Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.

Proverbs 22:6

Can a wolf be tamed? This is a frequently asked question. Scientists have confirmed through genetic testing that wolves and domestic dogs are quite similar. In spite of this, wolves are very difficult to tame. With such a similar genetic background, scientists have long wondered why wolves tend to stay wild, while dogs gladly assume the role of being man’s best friend. Why is this so?

a. Wolves are non-responsive to training: Dogs are generally more responsive to training because they are motivated by social rewards, such as, praise and attention from their human handlers. Wolves are more independent and less motivated by social rewards, making them hard to train.

b. Wolves challenge authority and are territorial: Wolves tend to be more aggressive and territorial than dogs. They are also more likely to exhibit behaviours that are difficult to manage in a domestic setting, such as marking territory and challenging authority.

c. Wolves live in packs without humans: Wolves operate in packs which do not include human beings. Dogs, on the other hand, have been bred for years to live and work closely with humans. Dogs are highly social and eager to please humans. Wolves, on the other hand, are less inclined to see humans as leaders or companions.

d. Wolves have the instincts of predators: Wolves have strong predatory instincts and a natural wariness of humans. Instinctively, wolves do not cooperate with humans, whereas dogs cooperate with humans.

e. Wolves are highly suspicious: Wild wolves are highly suspicious of human beings, making them difficult to be trained.

4. A wolf is someone who is fearful and suspicious. Wolves are filled with fear, and do not have the trusting eyes of a domestic dog.

Unlike dogs, wolves interpret the love and kindness of humans differently. They are truly suspicious and vicious animals. Their response to great love and kindness is to attack. Wolves do not trust and accept humans as their leaders. Wolves do not believe that any good thing will come out of being submitted to men. They move away from men and carve out an isolated existence, keeping their distance, out of suspicion and fear.

5. A wolf is someone who is apprehensive and mistrustful.

Even if wolves are raised by a man, they relate only to the person who trained them. They do not trust anyone. Likewise, spiritual wolves are inclined to suspect evil!

A person who points the finger is an accuser! Spiritual wolves are accusative and suspicious, pointing out faults and seeing faults everywhere!

6. A wolf is someone who is suspicious and timid in the presence of strangers. Wolves may be playful, but only with the man who raised and fed them.

Wolves do not have the capacity to love, forgive and be kind. They are forever suspicious! Notice that Apostle Paul urged Christians to be kind and to forgive. This is directly opposite to being suspicious.

And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.

Ephesians 4:32

7. A wolf is someone who cannot be made into a loving friend. Wild wolves cannot be turned into loving pets. You cannot befriend them no matter how hard you try.

Jesus was able to turn fishermen into His disciples and friends. Unfortunately, He was not able to make Judas into a genuine friend. Wolves cannot be made into friends. Wolves cannot receive love from men. They do not interpret love properly and so they cannot be made into friends.

Someone may ask; “Can wolves be friendly like dogs?” The answer is no! Wolves are not friendly to humans!

Generally speaking, where an experiment to tame wolves has been carried out, the greatest success is to create what is called a “one-man dog”. In other words, the “tame wolf” would only relate with the man who reared it and fed it but remain unfriendly and suspicious to strangers.

Some wives behave like that. They only relate with their husbands but will not relate with anyone else in the church (“one-man dog”). They are indeed suspicious of other Christians. That is a wolf characteristic!

Wolves will not engage deeply with other people. Wolves have no real friends. They do not develop deep friendships with anyone! Spiritual wolves give themselves away because they are loners and do not have deep friendships with others. You wonder how they survive in the fellowship for so long.

Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you. Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.

John 15:14-15

8. A wolf is someone who is highly intelligent but not spiritual. Wolves are highly intelligent creatures and will only follow their wild instincts to attack and kill.

Wolves are complex, highly intelligent and manipulative creatures. Rebels, especially those who try to destroy the churches, are often intelligent and calculating people. Many wolves are manipulative men who know exactly what they want to achieve.

Wolves lack the ability to move away from their instincts. You cannot relate to a wolf as a spiritual person.

In the natural, wolves are caring, playful and devoted to their wolf families. This is the reason why wolf-like pastors seem to have a kind of love that makes them good pastors. Rebellious, wicked wolves can act as loving and devoted shepherds, caring for those they love. Wolves who come into churches are successful destroyers of sheep because they have the capacity to show family-love and draw the sheep.

And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ.

1 Corinthians 3:1

9. A wolf is someone who fears true shepherds. Wild wolves fear true and fearless shepherds who know how to counterattack and kill them.

Jesus taught a lot about the activities of wolves! Wolves are generally afraid of good shepherds. Like many large carnivores, wolves are generally afraid of humans and will avoid people, buildings and roads, if possible.

Good pastors drive wolves away from the church!

Good shepherds cause wolves to go into hiding!

But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep. The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep.

John 10:12-13

10. A wolf is someone who influences and leads other people. Wild wolves move around in packs and groups.

Wolves live in groups. Wolves influence their young. Spiritual wolves also move in groups. They are rarely isolated from their packs; they influence and train many other wolves!  Just like elephants, gorillas and dolphins, wolves educate their young, take care of their injured and live in family groups. Wolves hardly do anything alone! They influence and train others to follow their bad example.

In the church, bad company is not a neutral spiritual force! Bad company in the church is a clear and present evil!

Do not be so deceived and misled! Evil companionships (communion, associations) corrupt and deprave good manners and morals and character.

1 Corinthians 15:33 (AMPC)

Chapter 2

What is a Grievous Wolf?

For I know this, that after my departing shall GRIEVOUS WOLVES enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears.

Acts 20:29-31

A grievous wolf is someone who is a danger to the church. Apostle Paul warned the church of the coming of grievous wolves. Grievous wolves must be dealt with and resisted at all costs.

A grievous wolf will scatter the flock and divide the church.

A grievous wolf is someone who is a threat to the church.

A grievous wolf is someone who will destroy the church, if he gets the chance, and will not care about the havoc he causes.

A wolf is the sheep’s worst nightmare! The wolf stands as the greatest enemy to the peaceful life of a sheep. The wolf is the reason for the shepherd’s existence. The shepherd exists to fight grievous wolves. The shepherd exists to defend the sheep from attacks of grievous wolves. A shepherd who is not ready to fight wolves is not worth anything.

Sheep are not equipped to fight wolves. Sheep can only eat grass. They do not have the teeth to bite a wolf or to defend themselves against being devoured. To be a good shepherd and to care for the sheep, you must know all about the dangers of grievous wolves.

1. A grievous wolf is someone who waits for the main shepherd to leave and then attacks the flock.

FOR I KNOW THIS, THAT AFTER MY DEPARTING SHALL GRIEVOUS WOLVES ENTER IN AMONG YOU, NOT SPARING THE FLOCK. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears.

Acts 20:29-31

Certain evils cannot take place as long as there is a strong shepherd around somewhere. When a shepherd departs from the flock, the wolves hear about it. Wolves are so excited when there is no real pastor around. A shepherd departs from the flock when he takes his attention off the flock. Wolves are always happy to eat as many defenseless sheep as possible.

2. A grievous wolf is someone who does not care about what happens to the flock. He will not spare the flock.

For I know this, that after my departing shall GRIEVOUS WOLVES ENTER IN AMONG YOU, NOT SPARING THE FLOCK. Also, of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears.

Acts 20:29-31

Not sparing the flock is the cardinal sign of the wolf. A wolf does not care what happens to the church.

When rebels attack the church with their slander and division, they do not care whether souls are being lost or not. They do not mind that people who were once stable in churches are now being destabilized and thrown off the narrow way of Christ. Wolves do not care whether young Christians are becoming confused or not with all the accusations and stories flying about in the church. They simply do not spare the flock!

Some people attempt to spare the flock and protect young Christians from falling away. But wolves do not care what happens to the lambs; young converts and young members of the church.

I remember a church which had about twenty-five thousand members. The resident pastor rose against his bishop and caused a massive split and confusion in the church. Some of the members stayed with the loyal pastor and some went along with the rebel pastor. In the end, about twenty-one thousand people disappeared from church life through this church split. The loyal pastor had about three thousand members whilst the rebellious pastor took a few hundred people to his church. Indeed, most of the twenty-one thousand members did not go to church anymore. The flock was scattered, and the rebellious, treacherous pastor did not care what happened to them. That is exactly how a wolf operates! A wolf does not care what will happen to the flock through his slanderous and treacherous acts.

3. A grievous wolf is someone who speaks perverse, slanderous and defamatory things to draw people away from the shepherd.

For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall men arise, SPEAKING PERVERSE THINGS, TO DRAW AWAY DISCIPLES AFTER THEM. Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears.

Acts 20:29-31

A characteristic of a grievous wolf is that he speaks perverse things. He says and writes horrible things about his fellow Christian brothers. Perverse things are nasty stories, whether true or not true. A perverse statement is a defamatory statement calculated to lower the image and reputation of someone in the eyes of the right-thinking public.

A wolf needs to speak perverse things because he has no anointing to start a church or to build a congregation. Perverse and corrupt things come out of the mouths of corrupted men to build their own following. The reason for the corrupt and wicked speech of these wolves is to draw people after themselves.

I remember a church which was attacked by wolves. The wolves campaigned against the church by posting and texting negative slanderous materials on social media to confuse the members. The wolves had many stories and names they bandied about, till the most bizarre, corrupted and twisted stories were circulating in the church. Many members were indeed confused, and many left the church in anger.

This is the work of wolves! Wolves are men who do not care about the flock. Wolves are men who will go to great lengths to misinform, mislead and throw questions and suspicions into the air to draw men after themselves.

4. A grievous wolf is someone who grows up as one of the leaders but is actually a wolf.

For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. ALSO OF YOUR OWN SELVES SHALL MEN ARISE, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears.

Acts 20:29-31

“Of your own selves, men shall arise.” A wolf is one of our very own members. A grievous wolf is someone who grows up as a leader in the church but turns into a “bird of another feather”. He becomes a wretched and miserable rebel who only causes trouble and pain in the church. Do not expect a wolf to be an outsider. Expect grievous wolves to arise from within your ranks!

5. A grievous wolf is known by his fruits.

BEWARE OF FALSE PROPHETS, WHICH COME TO YOU IN SHEEP’S CLOTHING, BUT INWARDLY THEY ARE RAVENING WOLVES. Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?

Matthew 7:15-16

Many wolves are out in sheep’s clothing and look like harmless sheep, but inwardly, they are not sheep at all. They are wolves within. How can we tell when someone is a ravening wolf? Ye shall know them by their fruits. You know you are dealing with a wolf by the fruits they bear.

I remember a brother who caused a lot of problems in our church. As I researched this fellow, I found out that he had also caused a lot of problems in two other churches he had been a part of. Indeed, I knew he was a wolf by the fruits of strife, slander and confusion that followed him in every ministry he joined, and in every country in which he lived.

A ravening wolf is someone who will cause trouble in your church. A ravening wolf is a grievous wolf! A ravening wolf is a hungry robber and an extortioner! Expect trouble from a ravening wolf!

6. A grievous wolf is someone who destroys the lives of others.

Her priests have done violence to My Law and have profaned My holy things; they have made no distinction between the holy and the common, and they have not taught the difference between the unclean and the clean; and they have closed their eyes from My Sabbaths, and I am defiled among them. HER LEADERS WITHIN HER ARE LIKE WOLVES TEARING THE PREY, BY SHEDDING BLOOD AND DESTROYING LIVES in order to make dishonest profit.

Ezekiel 22:26-27 (NASB)

7. Some wolves specialize in taking out female sheep. They destroy lives by capturing weak women.

These are the KIND OF PEOPLE WHO SMOOTH-TALK THEMSELVES INTO THE HOMES OF UNSTABLE AND NEEDY WOMEN AND TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THEM; women who, depressed by their sinfulness, take up with every new religious fad that calls itself “truth.” They get exploited every time and never really learn.

2 Timothy 3:6 (MSG)

8. Some wolves destroy the flock through extremes of fornication.

It is reported commonly that THERE IS FORNICATION AMONG YOU, AND SUCH FORNICATION AS IS NOT SO MUCH AS NAMED AMONG THE GENTILES, that one should have his father’s wife. And ye are puffed up and have not rather mourned, that he that hath done this deed might be taken away from among you.

For I verily, as absent in body, but present in spirit, have judged already, as though I were present, concerning him that hath so done this deed, In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when ye are gathered together, and my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ, To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus. Your glorying is not good. Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump?

1 Corinthians 5:1-6

Chapter 3

A Warning from History and Tradition

For I know this, that AFTER MY DEPARTING SHALL GRIEVOUS WOLVES ENTER IN among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears.

Acts 20:29-31

Each of the fictional stories in this chapter will teach you a valuable lesson about wolves. Wolves are important to us because of what Jesus Christ and Apostle Paul taught about the danger of wolves to the church. The wolf is the ultimate villain in many traditional and historical tales.

In folklore and in the Bible, the wolf is always a symbol of evil, savagery and treachery. Many of the stories about wolves tell us of the ill will, the deception, the treachery, the savagery, the wickedness, the cruelty, the manipulation and the trickery of wolves. It is these characteristics that Jesus sought to remind us of when He spoke about shepherds protecting the sheep from wolves.

It is these very wolf characteristics that Paul sought to make us aware of when he predicted that wolves would come into the church. Apostle Paul wanted us to know that such wolf-like characters were going to arise in the church and would manifest the legendary deception, treachery, savagery, wickedness, cruelty, manipulation and trickery of wolves!

1. THE WOLF AND THE THREE LITTLE PIGS: EXPECT WOLVES, PREPARE FOR WOLVES.

Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:

1 Peter 5:8

The story of the wolf and the three little pigs teaches the importance of hard work and preparation in relation to wolf attacks. The wolf wanted to eat up the three little pigs. The pigs were juicy lunch for the wolf. Wolves will eat the sheep and the flocks. Wolves will not care what happens to your life’s work.

Wolves are real! The wolves will come! Spiritual and ministerial wolves are real! The wolves will attempt to kill, to steal and to destroy your flock.

Every church must prepare for the coming of the wolves. Wolves are wicked pastors who devour the flock of God and scatter the sheep. Churches that do not teach loyalty and faithfulness will struggle to survive a wolf attack. Churches that just teach only on power and miracles will not easily overcome a wolf attack.

The Three Little Pigs and the Wolf

Once upon a time, there were three little pigs, who left their mummy and daddy to see the world. All summer long, they roamed through the woods and over the plains, playing games and having fun. None were happier than the three little pigs, and they easily made friends with everyone. Wherever they went, they were given a warm welcome, but as summer drew to a close, they realized that folks were drifting back to their usual jobs and preparing for winter.

Autumn came and it began to rain. The three little pigs started to feel they needed a real home. Sadly, they knew that the fun was over, and they must set to work like the others, or they would be left in the cold and rain, with no roof over their heads. They talked about what to do, but in the end, each decided for himself.

The first little pig said he would build a straw hut.

“It will only take a day,” he said. The others disagreed.

“It’s too fragile,” they said disapprovingly, but he refused to listen.

The second little pig built a house of wood. He went in search of planks of seasoned wood. It took him two days to nail them together.

“That’s not the way to build a house!” the third little pig said. “It takes time, patience and hard work to build a house that is strong enough to withstand the wind, the rain, and the wolves!”

The third little pig decided to build a house out of bricks. The days went by, and the wisest little pig’s brick house took shape. Brick by brick and block by block!

From time to time, the two other little pigs visited him and mocked him saying, “Why are you working so hard? Why don’t you come and play?”

But the third little pig said, “I shall finish my house first. It must be solid and sturdy. And then I’ll come and play!”

One day, the little pigs found the tracks of a big wolf in the neighbourhood. The three little pigs rushed home in alarm because they heard that the big wolf had decided to hunt and eat some pigs for lunch.

When the wolf saw the first little pig’s straw hut, he ordered the pig to come out to be eaten. But the frightened little pig refused to come out.

“If you don’t come out, I will huff and puff and blow your house down.” So, he huffed and puffed and blew the first little pig’s house down. When the house fell down the first little pig rushed out to hide in his brother’s house which was made of wood.

So, the wolf ran after him to the second house where the two little pigs were hiding. Inside, the two brothers wept in fear and did their best to hold the door fast against the wolf’s blows.

“If you don’t open this door, I will huff and puff and blow your house down.” So, the wolf huffed and puffed and blew the second little pig’s wooden house down. The two little pigs rushed out and ran to the third little pig’s house which was made of bricks.

The wolf ran after the little pigs who had just managed to enter the third little pig’s house. This house of the third little pig was much more solid than the other two. The wolf stood outside and commanded them to open the door, but they refused. So, the wolf blew and blew and huffed and puffed but the third little pig’s house stood firm because it was made of bricks.

The wolf was very hungry and decided to try something else. He scrambled up a nearby ladder, to enter the house through the chimney. However, the wisest little pig decided to light a fire below the chimney. As the wolf slid into the house through the chimney, he fell straight into the fire the little pig had prepared for him. The flames licked his hairy coat, and his tail became a flaring torch. The wolf ran away as fast as it could, aflame with fire.

The three happy little pigs, dancing round and round the yard, began to sing and dance. From that terrible day on, the wisest little pig’s brothers set to work to build two new brick houses.

The wolf did return once to roam in the neighbourhood, but when he caught sight of the three brick houses with three chimneys, he remembered the terrible pain and fire he had experienced there and never went back.

This story teaches us that we must expect a wolf to attack one day. We must prepare for the wolves. Victory loves preparation! Our victory over every wolf that will arise depends on how we prepare the flock to defend itself from the coming of the wolf.

2. LITTLE RED RIDING HOOD: WOLVES WILL LEAD YOU ASTRAY.

Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

Ephesians 6:11

Little Red Riding Hood

Once upon a time, there was a sweet little girl who always wore a red hooded cloak, so everyone called her Little Red Riding Hood. One day, her mother gave her a basket of food and said, “Take this to your grandmother, but stay on the path and don’t talk to strangers!”

As she walked through the forest, she met a sly wolf. The wolf asked where she was going, and innocent Little Red Riding Hood told him about her grandmother’s cottage. The wolf, being cunning, suggested she pick some flowers for her grandmother while he took a shortcut to the cottage.

The wolf arrived first, tricked the grandmother into opening her door, and swallowed her whole. Then he put on her nightgown and cap, climbed into bed, and waited for Little Red Riding Hood.

When she arrived at her grandmother’s cottage Little Red Riding Hood noticed something was off. She said, “Grandmother, what big ears you have!”

The big bad wolf said, “The better to hear you with, my dear.”

Little Red Riding Hood said, “Grandmother, what big eyes you have!”

The big bad wolf said, “The better to see you with, my dear.”

Little Red Riding Hood said, “Grandmother, what big teeth you have!”

The big bad wolf said, “The better to eat you with!”

With that, the wolf leapt from the bed and swallowed Little Red Riding Hood whole.

Fortunately, a passing woodsman heard the commotion and rushed in. Seeing the wolf’s full belly, he cut it open, freeing Little Red Riding Hood and her grandmother. They then filled the wolf’s stomach with heavy stones, and when he awoke and tried to run away, he collapsed and died. From then on, Little Red Riding Hood promised never to stray from the path or talk to strangers again. And they all lived happily ever after!

The story of Little Red Riding Hood is another famous story which brings to the fore the trickery and danger that wolves pose. This innocent girl was fooled by the wolf to go astray from her mission. She was on a mission to deliver food to her grandmother, but she strayed off course and began to play in the forest.

O, how much danger we are in when we begin to go astray and not focus on our God-given mission! We also see how the wolf dressed up and pretended to be her grandmother.

Wolves will come with trickery and manipulation. They will seek to trick you into allowing them to come deeper and closer so that they can strike at you.

3. THE WOLF AND THE MOUNTAIN GOAT: WOLVES WILL ATTEMPT TO FOOL YOU.

Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.

2 Corinthians 2:11

The story of the wolf and the goat teaches the lesson of ignoring the deception and manipulation of a wolf. A wolf will seek to make you do things as though it is for your benefit. Perhaps, a wolf minister may receive an offering when it is actually for his benefit and not for yours. Perhaps a wolf will take you in to counsel you but end up having sex with you and abuse you as part of the counselling. He is a wolf and not a shepherd! Shepherds do not devour their sheep!

The Story of the Wolf and the Mountain Goat

Once upon a time, a wolf saw a goat grazing at the edge of a high cliff. The wolf smacked his lips at the thought of a fine goat dinner.

“My dear friend,” said the wolf in his sweetest voice, “Aren’t you afraid you will fall from that cliff? Come down here and graze on this fine grass beside me on safe, level ground.”

“No, thank you,” said the goat.

“Well then,” said the wolf, “Aren’t you cold up there in the wind? You would be warmer grazing down here beside me in this sheltered area.”

“No, thank you,” said the goat.

“But the grass tastes better down here!” said the exasperated wolf, “Why dine alone?”

“My dear wolf,” the goat finally said, “Are you quite sure that it is my dinner you are worrying about and not your own? You want to eat me! You don’t love me! You want to have me! You want to destroy me! You have never cared for me! I will never come down from this high mountain.”

Once again, we learn not to be taken in by the tricks of a wolf. Wolf pastors present themselves as the most caring and most loving pastors. In reality they do not care for you! In reality, these “loving” pastors are wicked, ravenous and treacherous men.

4. THE WOLF IN SHEEP’S CLOTHING: WOLVES ARE ACTORS AND PRETENDERS.

Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?

Matthew 7:15-16

The Story of the Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing

Once upon a time, a wolf found a sheep’s skin. He wrapped himself in it and sneaked into a large sheep’s pen. That night he ate one of the lambs in the sheep’s pen. He stayed a whole week in the sheep’s pen and ate a lamb every night.

The next week, he was sneaking up to eat another lamb when the shepherd caught him.

“Oh, please don’t throw me out,” said the wolf. “I’m one of your sheep. All these sheep are my brethren.”

But the shepherd was not fooled by the wolf in sheep’s clothing.

“You’re only pretending to be a sheep,” said the shepherd. “You cannot fool me! I know you’re a wolf.”

“How do you know?” asked the wolf. “I look like a sheep.”

“You say you are a sheep,” said the shepherd, “but you act like a wolf.” With that the shepherd pulled a branch from a tree and beat up the wolf with it. The wolf leapt over the fence and climbed a nearby hill. He never went back to that sheep pen because he was terrified of the good shepherd! He never wanted to receive such a terrible beating again.

A good shepherd recognizes wolves and fights them. Wolves do not like good shepherds because it is good and experienced shepherds who warn their sheep about wolves. It is good and experienced shepherds who fiercely drive away wolves.

5. THE WOLF AND THE HOUSE DOG: WOLVES CAN NOT BE TRAINED.

Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.

Ephesians 5:21

In this story, we see a comparison between a house dog and a wolf. The house dog can be trained, chained and controlled peacefully. A wolf will not and cannot be restricted, chained, controlled or tamed. A wild wolf does not want the benefits of being part of a family. It is a wild animal which cannot be trained or re-trained.

All your attempts to integrate certain people into the church family will fail because you are dealing with wolves and not house dogs. Wolves are wild animals and will never appreciate the peace and security of the church family.

The Story of the Wolf and the House Dog

Once upon a time, there lived a powerful wolf and a large house dog. The wolf and the house dog were cousins but lived in separate places. Occasionally, they would meet and discuss their lives.

One day, the wolf was discouraged because he couldn’t catch any animals to eat in the forest. Discouraged after that unsuccessful day of hunting, the hungry wolf came upon the well-fed, large, powerful house dog who was passing by.

“Ah, Cousin,” said the wolf. “How do you get food to eat regularly? You look so relaxed and well-fed.”

The wolf asked the house dog, “What do you do to get all this food you are enjoying?”

“Very little,” replied the house dog, “I just protect my master’s house and family, and I am obedient to his demands.”

The wolf pondered this quite carefully – for he had to risk his own life, hunting almost daily, to earn his food. Many times, the wolf’s hunt for food ended without success. The wolf was tempted to adopt the dog’s mode of living.

The house dog asked the wolf, “Why do you not humble yourself and work for someone as I do? That way you will be given your food regularly.”

“I would have no objection,” said the wolf, “If I could only get a place.”

“I will easily arrange that for you,” said the house dog. “Come with me to my master and you shall share my work.”

So, the wolf and the dog went towards the town together. On the way there, the wolf noticed that the hair on a certain part of the house dog’s neck was very much worn away, so he asked him how that had come about.

“Oh, it is nothing,” said the dog. “That is only the place where the collar is put on my neck to keep me chained up. It’s a bit uncomfortable but one soon gets used to it.”

The wolf abruptly stopped and exclaimed, “Your chain! You mean you are chained in the house? What? Does that mean that you are not free to come and go as you please?”

“No,” responded the dog, “But what does that matter? I am trained very well every day! I have a home, and I am well fed every day! I feel blessed as a house dog.”

Then the wolf said, “It matters to me. I don’t want any training! I can’t stand being restricted in any way. I can’t even imagine a chain around my neck. I do not care if I go hungry for weeks on end. I prefer to suffer than to be part of that family.”

“Goodbye,” said the wolf to the house dog. And the wolf never came back asking to become a house dog.

Indeed, there are people who will never be happy to be part of a family. They are simply meant to be wild and untrainable. They do not want any restrictions or rules. They do not want to be the topic of any meetings, discussions, restrictions or corrections. They do not want to answer any questions about their treachery or any evil they have done. Such people should be left alone to be wild wolves and to roam the forest alone. Do not try to make them part of the family!

6. THE WOLF AND THE BONE: WOLVES ARE UNGRATEFUL.

For people will love only themselves and their money. They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to their parents, and UNGRATEFUL. They will consider nothing sacred.

2 Timothy 3:2 (NLT)

Once upon a time, there was a wolf living in the forest. This wolf went hunting and caught an animal for lunch. Whilst the wolf was munching on the animal he had killed, a small bone in the meat suddenly got stuck in his throat and he could not swallow it.

He soon felt a terrible pain in his throat, and ran up and down groaning and moaning, whilst seeking something to relieve the pain. The distressed wolf tried to persuade everyone he met to help him remove the bone.

“I would give anything,” said he, “If you would take it out.”

But most of the animals would not have anything to do with the wolf because he was not liked. The wicked wolf was well known for killing other animals. No one trusted him and no one wanted to help him!

The wolf then offered a big reward to anyone who would help him remove the bone from his throat. At last, the crane who had a long neck and a sharp pointed beak, was persuaded to try and help the wolf remove the bone. After all, he would get a big reward for this.

The crane then told the wolf to lie on his side and open his jaws as wide as he could. The crane put his long neck down the wolf’s throat, and with his beak loosened the bone, till at last, he got it out.

The wolf was very relieved.

The crane then asked for his reward.

“Will you kindly give me the reward you promised?” asked the crane.

The wolf grinned, showing his brilliant white razor teeth. He snapped, “Be content. You have put your head inside a wolf’s mouth and taken it out again safely! You should be thankful that I did not bite off your head. Please consider that as your reward.”

With that, the ungrateful wolf sauntered off, forgetting so soon how no one had been willing to help him till the crane came along and risked his life to help him.

Always remember that wolves are ungrateful and wicked men. They are unthankful for all that has been done for them. They will not remember the kindness that has been shown to them in the past.

7. THE WOLF AND THE FEAST OF LAMBS: WOLVES DECEIVE THE SIMPLE-MINDED.

The simple believeth every word: but the prudent man looketh well to his going.

Proverbs 14:15

Once upon a time, there lived a pack of wolves that hunted often in a nearby forest where a large flock of sheep and lambs grazed peacefully in a pasture. The sheep, until then, had grazed in safety, protected by dogs. The dogs barked and chased away the wolves anytime the wolves came near the flock.

One day, the wolves shouted to the sheep from the forest where they were hiding.

The wolves said to the flock of sheep, “Oh sheep we live in the same area but we have never been close!”

The wolves added, “We would get along so well if it were not for those hostile and unfriendly dogs with you. We are supposed to be a family and to live peacefully together in this area. Send the dogs away and you’ll see that we will become such good friends. Our children will play together and become lifelong friends.”

The sheep were easily fooled and agreed. They sent all the dogs away. That very night, the wolves entered the pasture and devoured many of the sheep in a great feast.

8. THE WOLF, THE LION AND THE FOX: WOLVES ARE FULL OF ILL WILL.

Therefore, get rid of all ill will and all deceit, pretense, envy, and slander.

1 Peter 2:1 (CEB)

Once upon a time, there lived an old sick lion who lay resting in a big cave. All the beasts in the forest came to visit their king to pay their respects to the lion. The fox was the only animal who did not find the time to visit the lion king. The wolf, therefore, thinking that he had a good opportunity, accused the fox to the lion.

The wolf said, “Oh, great king, please take note that the fox has not bothered to pay his respects to you. He is the only animal who has not come to visit you since you got sick.”

“Oh,” said the lion, “I had not even noticed that the fox had not been to visit me since I fell sick.”

That very day, the fox came to visit the lion. Before he went in to see the lion, he was told what the wolf had said about him.

The lion roared out in anger when he saw the “ungrateful” and “disrespectful” fox who had not bothered to visit him since he fell sick. But the fox defended himself and said, “Oh, great king, the reason I have not visited you is not that I didn’t love you but rather I was seeking a cure for you. I have gone around the whole world seeking medicines and cures just to help you, my lord. And my lord, King Lion, I am pleased to let you know that I have indeed found a cure for you.”

“Really? A cure for me?” The old lion was immediately interested and commanded the fox to tell him the cure.

The fox answered, “You must flay a wolf alive and wrap his warm skin around you.”

“Catch the wolf,” the lion said, “And flay him alive. It will be a cure for me,” said the lion king.

The wolf was at once taken and flayed. While they were taking the wolf to flay him, the fox turned to him, and said with a smile, “You should not have accused me to the king. You were full of ill will and malice towards me. Now it has cost you your life!”

May a slanderer not endure on the earth; May evil hunt a violent person violently.

Psalm 140:11 (NASB)

Wolves are accusers! They point fingers and accuse you of wrongdoing. They will tell the whole world their evil stories and wicked defamatory lies. Note that the lies that this wolf spoke about the fox could have cost the fox his life. The accusation backfired on the wolf, because accusations and lies will ultimately backfire.

The trouble they make for others backfires on them. The violence they plan falls on their own heads.

Psalm 7:16 (NLT)

Chapter 4

How to Defeat Wolves

Fight the good fight of faith...

1 Timothy 6:12

1. FIGHT WOLVES BY BEING AGGRESSIVE TOWARDS THEM.

FIGHT THE GOOD FIGHT of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.

1 Timothy 6:12

Campers and explorers are taught how to defend themselves if they encounter a wolf in the forest. They are taught that, 1“If the wolf does not retreat and is acting aggressive by holding its tail high, raising its hackles, barking or howling, you should yell and throw things at it, while continuing to back away. If it attacks, fight back aggressively to show you are too dangerous to attack.”1

It is important to show wolves that you are too dangerous to attack. Let every wolf in your life and ministry get the message that it will be costly, hurtful and painful to attack you. Inflict pain, hurt and damage on every attacking wolf!

Miserable, disloyal personalities must learn a lesson when they attack you and your church. They must find out that it is a hard thing to kick against the pricks. They must regret even starting the fight.

Be aggressive in teaching against every type of disloyalty! Teach, explain and repeat the teachings till every kind of wolf lurking around your life and ministry is exposed and defeated!

Let unfaithful pastors have a hard time dealing with you! Give them a good fight for every inch they want to take from you! Prepare for them as you would prepare for the coming of wolves in the natural!

1-1 Western Wildlife Outreach. (n.d.). Gray wolf safety.

2. FIGHT WOLVES WITH FIRE.

John answered, saying unto them all, I indeed baptize you with water; but one mightier than I cometh, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose: HE SHALL BAPTIZE YOU WITH THE HOLY GHOST AND WITH FIRE:

Luke 3:16

Wolves hate fire! This is why those out in the forest at night would light a fire to keep the wolves away. You can fight the threat of wolves with fire!

Jesus is also someone who fights with fire. He baptizes with the Holy Ghost and fire. Fire, passion and zeal are killers of wolves. Wolves operate mostly with the power of deception and wickedness. The power of deception and wickedness cannot stand against the power of the Holy Ghost and fire! Defeat all wolves using the fire of the Lord.

Be a man of God who is on fire, and it will drive away disloyalty and unfaithfulness!

Be a pastor on fire! Your passion and zeal for the Lord alone will drive away wolves.

Churches on fire do not struggle much with things like disloyalty and unfaithfulness. It is often churches which have lost their zeal and are on the defensive that are ravaged by ravenous wolves.

Fire speaks of the anointing of the Holy Spirit! Fire speaks of the power, zeal and fearlessness that comes from the Holy Spirit. Jesus promised to baptize us with fire. Fire is a relentless and overwhelming force. Work in the ministry with relentless, overwhelming zeal! The zeal you have will be a fire that drives away wolves.

And there appeared unto them CLOVEN TONGUES LIKE AS OF FIRE, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

Acts 2:3-4

3. FIGHT WOLVES BY CLIMBING OUT OF REACH.

After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, COME UP HITHER, and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter.

Revelation 4:1

Wolves cannot climb trees! A well-known way to escape from wolves is to climb a tree. If you are alone, climb a tree to escape the wolves! A whole pack of wolves may gather below the tree you climbed, but they still will not be able to get to you. This is a mighty revelation from God!

Go higher in God! The higher you go, the less the access wolves can gain to you. Wolves can only devour those who are low on the ground, those who have not gone higher and deeper with God. Notice how John, the Revelator, is encouraged to come up higher in the Spirit. “After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, COME UP HITHER, and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter” (Revelation 4:1).

Going higher puts you out of the reach of the devil!

Becoming a spiritual giant will put you out of the reach of many enemies!

May you go up higher in the Spirit!

May you be delivered from every accursed wolf who comes against your life and ministry!

“And further, by these, my son, be admonished: of making many books there is no end; and much study is a weariness of the flesh.” Ecclesiastes 12:12