For I know this, that after my departure, savage wolves will come in among you not sparing the flock. Also from among yourselves, men will rise up speaking perverse things to draw away the disciples. Acts 20:29-30
wait... even from among ourselves? so who can we trust? can we trust no one?
The wolves seek to steal, kill, and destroy the sheep. (John 10:10-13)
This verse in Acts makes me look closer at John 10:7-15 because I remembered about the wolves seeking out their prey, but I didn't remember about the hired hand who is supposed to be taking care of the sheep but runs in fear at the mere sight of a wolf because they do not care about the sheep, so the wolves snatch the sheep and scatter them.
So does this mean we can't trust our brothers and sisters in Christ? our fellow believers? the people who go to the same church? the people who say they are Christians?
So does this mean we can't even trust our pastors? our teachers? our leaders?
A hired hand could also be a metaphor for a caretaker, a parent, a spouse.
If you can't trust your own father, your own husband, or your own pastor, then who can you trust?
The people who were the closest to me were the ones who hurt me the most, which devastated me and made me question my faith and beliefs.
But these hard truths forced me to look to the scriptures and learn for myself.
It took a long time for me to grow and mature in my faith to realize that absolutely no one is perfect and all have fallen short of the glory of God. I am not perfect...I am a sinner saved by grace through faith in Jesus. We have been forgiven of all our sins, and that means all... past, present, and future. We still sin, but as believers in Christ, we strive not to sin. Which means we have to give grace to others because we are all only human. We are each on our own spiritual journey, which is a long process.
It could be that Paul is saying here to not put all your hope and trust into Paul, but into God, because there will be those that will try to scatter the flock and hurt the weak, especially once the hired hand is no longer there, for whatever reason.
We just have to remember that we don't put all our faith, hope, and trust in men, but in God. We put our faith in Jesus, our Lord and Savior. We put our trust in God the Father because He is in control. We look for guidance from the Holy Spirit.
We need to be careful, be mindful, and to walk in the spirit. We are to be wise about the schemes of the enemy. Let the Holy Spirit be our guide.
Jesus is our Good Shepherd. Jesus is the door of the sheep. Jesus knows His sheep and His sheep know His voice. There is only one Shepherd. (John 10:7-18)
In this world you will have trouble, but take heart, I have overcome the world. -John 16:33
God said many times in the Bible, "Do not fear, for I am with you."
Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. (Ephesians 6:10-18)
Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers to care for the church of God...therefore, be alert...we must help the weak. (Acts 20:28-35)
We ourselves are also the hired hands!!!!!
Dear Lord, help me to discern, to be mindful, and fill me with your Holy Spirit daily. Help me Lord to study your word every day, help me to put on the full armor and to stand firm. You are my strength when I am weak. Thank you Lord that I can trust you. You are my provider, my protector, and You are in control. Thank you Lord for taking care of me as your child. As your hired hand, help me to do your will and to help others.
