With two and four legs
I have been blessed to see a few packs of wolves in the wild. I’ve seen far more lone wolves than packs. Whether a lone wolf or a pack, I’ve always felt blessed to see them.
I’ve heard the songs of wolves in the wild far more often than I have seen them. Their songs never fail to give me goosebumps. Their songs, particularly if they are coming from different directions around your campfire, are both beautiful and unnerving.
Coyotes will also serenade at night. Their call is very different, and you would be highly unlikely to confuse the two, unless, perhaps, you had never heard a wolf pack.
Both wolves and coyotes can be problematic for farmers, as they are not adverse to preying on livestock. That creates a sort of love-hate relationship between the animals and the farmers.
Wolves had been known to attack humans, but such attacks are extremely rare. There are fewer than 100 recorded attacks in North America since 1750. Still, if you are interacting with them, caution is always advised.
Wolves are mentioned in the Bible, both the four-legged and two-legged varieties. We are warned against the two-legged variety.
“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? So, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit. A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus you will recognize them by their fruits. Matthew 7:15-20 ESV
Unfortunately, attacks by these wolves are not rare. Sometimes they can be found in your home church, striving to cut our little flocks for themselves. At other times, they can be the pastors or leaders of congregations.
They preach other gospels than the one Jesus taught. They twist the teachings of the Bible to benefit themselves. Sometimes they teach just enough truth that the flock doesn’t notice the poisonous errors.
Be on the lookout for them. Compare what you are being taught to the Bible and to the orthodox teachings the church has always held.
We are blessed to have easy access to the Word and to the great theologians of both yesterday and today. We have the Spirit to teach us how to discern truth from error.
Know what the truth is for yourself.
Hallelu Yah (Praise God)
Be blessed,
Kevin
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