If one is identifying a wolf or a lamb, it would not be hard to do. Jesus dealt with those who would be false prophets. How can you know if one is false or not? The answer from Jesus was by their fruits, that is, what they produce (Matt. 7:20). John warned those of the first century to try the spirits (I John 4:1). The reason for trying is there were many false prophets who had gone out into the world. Paul admonished the brethren to mark those who cause divisions contrary to the doctrine of Christ (Rom. 16:17). How would we know if they were true or not? The false prophet serves his own belly and not the Lord (Rom. 16:
Recently I had the opportunity to hear the end of one of the television evangelist sermons. He was very kind in his tone of words. He had the Bible opened and was reading from it. A pan of the audience showed his audience with their Bibles opened and some were making notes. From a visual standpoint the stage was set to convince anyone of the sincerity of the moment and the dedication of the speaker. Samuel was sent to the house of Jesse to find the next king for Israel. His search began with the older sons as they were brought before him. God had to speak to Samuel and let him know this vital truth. Man looks on the outward appearance while God looks on the heart (I Sam. 16:7).
Setting the stage to convey the idea of humility or sincerity is not the standard. As this particular preacher finished up, he went to pray with his audience. As I listened to his words, it was the “sinner’s prayer” taught by denominational groups of one kind or another. It was not his sincerity that I questioned. It was his doctrine that excluded the idea of obedience. If prayer could save one, then why did it not work for Paul? He spent three days in fasting and prayer and did not get rid of one single sin (Acts 22:16). This man on television, like so many others, sounds like a lamb but his doctrine makes him a wolf.