James Lesson 6
James (When Wolves Attack)

Junior/Adult Level

February 4, 2018

When JESUS was walking on the earth, He told His disciples that He was sending them out as sheep among wolves, that they were to be wise and to be aware of false prophets and those who disguise themselves as righteous but inwardly are evil. Today’s lesson will educate us on how a wolf attacks and just how we can protect ourselves in CHRIST. He is the good shepherd. I pray you all will be blessed and enlightened. 


Handout: James (When Wolves Attack)


 
Recently I had a very scary dream.  When I awoke I knew that GOD had used it to warn me and to give me this lesson.  In my dream I was at church during a meeting and it seemed there were many different people there, people from a lot of different churches around the area.  I noticed that during the church service, it seemed as if the people’s hearts were just not in the worship as they should have been.  Then I found myself outside and suddenly a wolf came out of the forest and ran after me to attack me.  I ran back into the church and closed the door.  The people were praising The LORD all together and so I joined in but I yelled it as loudly as I could toward the door…PRAISE THE LORD!!! I felt as if that held the wolf at bay. 

As the service ended, I told everyone that there was a wolf out there ready to attack, and some did not really believe me and others were very cautious.  My dad opened the door and went out of the church, the wolf was gone, hiding, waiting for me.  The ladies of the church went out onto the porch of the little church and they were looking around, no wolf could be seen.  As they ventured out into the dirt parking lot suddenly I could see two or three wolves lying around but they seemed unafraid, and the people seemed unafraid of them, and I remember thinking, I don’t like this…I don’t like that these dangerous wolves are allowed in our midst and everyone seems comfortable with them.  In the dream, I found myself back inside the church, alone with my mother (who has been in Heaven for about a year now).  She took the books and things I had in my hands, and I began to take a broom stick out of the broom telling her that I was not going out there unarmed.  She said clearly to me, Cindy, whatever you do, do not run away from them. 

As we went out into the parking lot headed to the car, from out of the corner of the forest came ten or twenty wolves after me.  They were viscous, growling and ready to eat me alive.  I wanted to run, but I kept hearing my mother’s words…”whatever you do, do not run.  I turned to face them with my weapon in my hand, and that is when I woke up. 

I was very disturbed by this dream.  It was not just an ordinary bad dream, it was from The LORD.  I felt in my spirit that the devil had waged a new attack, a new war and The Holy Spirit was warning me.  I began to be very afraid, but then my little boy who knew nothing of the dream, came to me later after he woke up and was telling me about a little song he had heard that said, “ I fear nothing, when I’ve done nothing wrong…it went on to say, I don’t go around starting fights, but I will not run away from one.  I knew then that The LORD was telling me not to be afraid, that this battle, whatever it entails, is HIS.  HE IS A WARRIOR…I just must trust HIM and not run away, standing firm. 

I decided to arm myself, so I went to GOD’S Word.  It is our sword.  The Holy Spirit led me to search the word wolf or wolves and find all the verses I could find.  Here are some of the verses.  Jesus told His disciples these words,

Matthew 7:15-17 “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?  Even so every good tree bringeth froth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.”

 

Matthew 7:20 “Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.”

After reading these verses, The Holy Spirit led me to do some research about what happens when an actual wolf attacks sheep and or people.  If Jesus likened this to wolves in HIS WORD, then I should be familiar with what He was referring to.  This is what I found.

A wolf attack:

1. Usually involves shepherds defending their flocks. 

2.  Habituation- when people encourage wolves to come up to them…
                          a.  When people do not sufficiently intimidate them.

Wolves in protected areas are more likely to show boldness toward humans than in areas where they are actively hunted. 

When we start getting comfortable with sin, and accepting sin as “ok” that is when we are letting the enemy too close for comfort and being very foolish that he will not attack, when in truth, he is just waiting for the right opportunity.  This is what James says about this.

James 4:4 “Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with GOD?  Whosever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of GOD.”

We who are saved, that is born again from above, we are the bride of Christ Jesus.  (Revelation 21:9)  When we go out into the world, making friends with the sin therein, we are committing adultery on HIM.  We are weakening ourselves down little by little, because when we are not walking in CHRIST JESUS, we are so weak, and the devil, that wolf, he will certainly take advantage of our weakness. 

In my research, I learned that people who corner or attack wolves typically receive quick bites to the hands or feet.  Wolves rarely attack from the front…they prefer to attack from behind biting from the back. 

This brings us to an interesting point.  Remember lesson 5 of James?  Hold Your Tongue?  See we can be used of satan against others when we don’t control our words.  It’s called gossiping or backbiting.  Talking and running our mouths behind someone’s back…attacking them from behind, just as wolves do.  Let’s go to GOD’S Word for more wisdom.

Proverbs 25:23-24 As surely as a north wind brings rain, so a gossiping or backbiting tongue causes anger.  It’s better to live alone in the corner of an attic, than with a brawling woman in a lovely home.”

James 3:1-18 “My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation.  For in many things we offend all if any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body.  Behold, we put bits in the horse’s mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body.  Behold also the ships, which though they be so great, and are driven out of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever the governor listeth.  Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things.  Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!  And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell. 

For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind: But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.  Therewith bless we GOD, even The FATHER; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of GOD.  Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing.  My brethren, these things ought not to be.  Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter?  Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries?  Ether a vine figs?  So can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh.  Who is a wise me endue with knowledge among you?  Let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom  But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and life not against the truth.  This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly sensual, and devilish.  For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.  But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.  And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.”

Wolves have been recorded to kill by attacking from behind and biting the back of a victim’s head or neck and then dragging the body off to be consumed unless stopped.  When we do not control what we say, our words can rip another person to shreds.  This is an attack of pure evil and children of GOD should not be engaged in such evil works.  We have the empowerment of The Holy Spirit living inside us, we can control ourselves! 

Facts about Wolves: 

 

John 3:19 “And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.”

 

This point goes along with controlling our tongues.  We do not want to get into a “barking” match with ones who are always wagging their tongues talking about others.  We should not even engage in such conversations or arguments.

Titus 3:9-11 Do not get involved in foolish discussions about spiritual pedigrees or in quarrels and fights about obedience to Jewish laws.  These things are useless and a waste of time.  If people are causing divisions among you, give a first then a second warning.  After that, have nothing more to do with them.  For people like that have turned away from the truth, and their own sins condemn them.”

1 Corinthians 15:33 “Do not be deceived:  Bad company or evil communication corrupts good character.”

Titus 1:13 REBUKE them sharply.  They were rebellious people, mere talkers and deceivers.  They must be silenced because they are ruining lives by saying things they ought not say.

Titus 1:15-16 To those who are corrupted and do not believe, nothing is pure.  In fact, both their minds and consciences are corrupted.  They claim to know GOD, but by their actions they deny Him.  They are detestable, disobedient and unfit for doing anything good.”

We are to rebuke them sharply.  Now please don’t let the devil fool you into thinking by rebuking someone who is trying to cause a fight or discord, that you are judging that person.  When someone comes to you and begins to talk about others, or to sow discord, we are to rebuke them saying that we want no part of that kind of talk.  We are not supposed to speak ill will of anyone and if we are not lifting others up then we should keep our mouths shut. GOD’S Word tells us that one who goes around slandering others is a fool.  (Proverbs 10:18)  If we need to talk about something someone has done wrong to us, then we can tell it to The LORD in prayer…not others.

 

 

 

Notice how they get more bold if something isn’t done?  It’s exactly how satan is.  The more we allow sin, the more we are ok and accepting of wrong, the bolder he becomes until finally before we even realize it, we are under attack and we are not match for him on our own!

Acts 20:29 “For I know this, that after My departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.

Luke 10:3 Go your ways: behold, I send you forth as lambs among wolves.”

Matthew 10:16 Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves; be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.

So now knowing these scriptures, that those wolves are out there, how do we protect ourselves and our churches against a wolf attack?  After asking myself this question and being led by The Holy Spirit, the following is what He taught me.

1.  Shepherd must have control of the flock  - Who is our Shepherd?  Yes…it is JESUS CHRIST!

John 10:1-5 “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that enters not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbs up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber.  But he that enters in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep.  To him the porter opens and the sheep hear His voice: and he calls His own sheep by name, and leads them out.  And when he puts forth his own sheep, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice and a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers.”

John 10:11-16 I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth His life for the sheep.  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.  I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.  As The FATHER knoweth Me, even so know I The FATHER: and I lay down my life for the sheep.  And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear My voice; and there shall be one fold, and one Shepherd.”

James 4:7 “Submit yourselves therefore to GOD.  Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”

We MUST be under submission to THE LORD JESUS CHRIST, if we are going to survive and be victorious over a wolf attack of evil.  There is no other way, we are helpless otherwise.  He is The Good Shepherd and we must know and obey His voice AT ALL TIMES!  After we get ourselves in full obedience to The Holy Spirit, the next thing we can do to protect ourselves and the flock is to do what earthly shepherds do for their sheep.  They appoint guard dogs.

2.  Appoint guard dogs (Prayer Warriors) – Great Pyrenees is an amazing guard dog of sheep…He will set up watch all night, while the sheep sleep in peace.  He will place himself between the wolf and the sheep to protect them.  He is a gentle giant NEVER harming one of the sheep but is fierce in battle when they are threatened.  He is obedient to The Shepherd and understands The Master is in charge at all times. 

They LORD showed me that like guard dogs guard the sheep, We MUST be prayer warriors guarding ourselves, our families and the flock of JESUS CHRIST.  Like the Great Pyrenees guard dog, a true prayer warrior will be on bended knee in submission and obedience to GOD, praying for the sheep.  They are obedient at all times and understand that The Shepherd, JESUS CHRIST is in charge at all times.  We will place ourselves between the enemy and the sheep and stand a true soldier to protect them under the power and authority of The HOLY SPIRIT!  Praise The LORD.  This takes us to the last precaution we can take against the enemy. 

3.  Putting Up Fences.  When trying to protect sheep against wolves, a shepherd will put up a fence.  A strong barrier that shows the sheep as well as wolves that they are not allowed past that boundary. 

GOD has given us boundaries in HIS Holy Word.  When we as sheep try to stray past the boundaries that The LORD has placed, we will be in the territory of the enemy and we will be in trouble.  However, if we stay behind that protective fence, we will be protected by our Shepherd.    We must build up those spiritual walls, or fences to protect us against the enemy.  We do that through daily prayer, and study of GOD’S Word and making time everyday for intimacy with The LORD, making HIM our number one priority. 

We must ask The LORD to search our hearts and to show us where we are weakest and to ask Him to strengthen the things that remain…to rebuild the fences that protect us.

Revelation 3:2 “Be watchful, and strengthen the things that remain.”
Proverbs 25:28 “Like a city whose walls are broken down is a man who lacks self-control.”
Proverbs 25:28 “He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls.”
Satan will attack the places in our lives that are weak.  The areas that do not have a wall built strong around them.
1 Peter 5:8 “Be sober, be vigiliant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:”
Now we have learned three ways to protect ourselves against an evil wolf attack, but the best protection is to use all three measures.  When our Shepherd is in control at all times, and we are in prayer about all things and strong in the LORD…we can be victorious in the end.  We do not have to be afraid of the attacks of satan.  GOD will fight our battles.  Great is The LORD, Strong and Mighty in battle. 
Psalm 24:8 “Who is this King of Glory?  The LORD strong and mighty, The LORD mighty in battle.”
After my little boy told me the little song he had heard, The LORD immediately gave me this little poem to write.  I pray it will bless you.
Do Not Run Away

I fear nothing when I’ve done nothing wrong…
Please listen to these words of truth, written in this song…
if the devil wages war on me he will find me for a fight…
The LORD will fight this battle…when I am in the right. 
HE will steady my feet strong and sure, where I will steadfast stay…
and from this evil battle I will not run away. (5-12-2012)

Exodus 15:3 The LORD is a warrior; The LORD is HIS name.

1 Samuel 17:47 “All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the LORD saves; for the battle is the LORD’S and HE will give all of you into our hands.”

Luke 21:36 “Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before The Son of Man.”

 

Dear Righteous, Holy, Beautiful Father,

Thank You for being our Good Shepherd.  LORD we know that You gave Your life for the sheep and we praise You.  Father, we ask today in the name of Your Son JESUS that You protect us in the days ahead with whatever we will have to face.  Give us strength and help us to be wise as serpents but harmless as doves.  Help us to control our tongues and our fleshly desires.  We do not want to hurt others but to lift others up.  We ask that You forgive us our sins, and cleanse us so that we will be in right standing with You.  We want You to be in control of our lives at all times, falling on our faces in submission and obedience to You.  Help us to please You and to love You as You deserve to be loved.  Protect us and strengthen us against the evil one and help us to stand victorious so that You will be glorified.  All glory, power, and honor is due to Your name alone.  In Your name JESUS we pray and ask.  Amen.  Thank You LORD for hearing and answering our prayers.  YOU ARE MIGHTY TO SAVE!

Cindygirl
February 4, 2018