"The Wolf Cometh"
When I was a small boy, Mr. J. J. Hicks of Jasper, Texas, told me a true story about a dog owned by his father in Tyler County, a part of the big thicket in East Texas. In those days the wolves were numerous and did much damage to the livestock among the farmers and ranchers. Several good dogs were needed at all times to protect the flocks. "Old Lep," a leopard colored cur dog, had been raised from a pup by the Hicks family. He was noted for his intelligence, bravery, and cunning in protecting the young livestock from the wolves. He had killed several wolves and taught others to keep their distance from the farm. He was ever on the job, alert and watchful at all times. The other dogs depended on Old Lep to give the signal, take the lead and do most of the chasing, when the wolves got too close to the farm. The family trusted him and left him many times to guard the place while they were away. This went on for several years until one day Old Lep just disappeared. They searched the country over, but to no avail. Old Lep had surely been stolen and carried out of the country, or had met with a fatal accident. He would never leave his master and a good home, nor turn against those who had taught him the duties of a good watch dog.
Weeks and months went by; the wolves became bolder and more vicious. Several calves and pigs were killed near the house, and the goats and sheep were being killed almost nightly in the pasture. They were found with their throats cut, but were not eaten. "This would never happen if Old Lep were here," stated Mr. Hicks.
As you probably know many dogs will not chase a wolf. (Maybe they are like people in this respect, just `kinda' go along with what they are doing for the sake of convenience — or afraid to tangle with opposition.) The dogs that were left at the farm refused to chase, or even bark at the intruders when they were on a night raid. Do You suppose they knew Old Lep was out there leading the pack? Were they afraid of retaliation from the wolves? I am a little surprised that two or three of them didn't go along with Old Lep to keep him out of trouble. I guess they thought Old Lep would eventually teach these wolves to become dogs by helping them divide, scatter and kill the flocks. (Some brethren do, you know.) Something had to be done quickly or Mr. Hicks would have no livestock left. He heard of, and sent for, a man who had a pack of wolf hounds to come help him rid the area of these destructive killers. The man took the hounds and told Mr. Hicks to go about one mile down the road to an old farm and wait.
The wolf hunt was on and as Mr. Hicks waited he heard the baying of the hounds in the distance. They seemed to be coming in his direction so he made sure his gun was loaded and ready to fire. In a short time several wolves appeared over a rise. As they drew closer the lead wolf seemed to be a different color to the others. Yes, he could see clearly now, he was a leopard colored wolf. Could this possibly be — NO, surely not Old Lep! Yes, it was Old Lep all right, there was but one thing to do--. He raised his gun to his shoulder, took careful aim and fired. Old Lep jumped high into the air and then fell quivering to the ground, a crumpled heap of what had been one of the best watch dogs in the whole country. His fangs were bared and he looked every part a wolf except his color. Mr. Hicks stood over him with tear dimmed eyes and wondered why he had left a good master, home and companions to become a wolf. (Maybe again, he was like people, wanted to be a leader.) Mr. Hicks now understood why the wolves had become so bold, they no longer feared Old Lep because he had become their leader. Old Lep's knowledge of man and beast made them an easy prey for the wolves.
I thought this story fantastic. I could hardly believe even a dog would turn traitor to his master and help destroy the very things he had helped to accomplish. But alas, I have seen greater things than this among my brethren in the past few years. I know brethren, who in times past, could be trusted to guard, guide, and protect against false teachers. They stood firmly upon the word of God, without addition or subtraction. They were zealous, alert and busy working for the Master. But are now tearing down the very thing they helped to build, the church. These wolves in sheep's clothing are growing bolder at night as more and more brethren depart the faith and cooperate with them. They do their destructive work in the dark, they never come out in the open where one can get a shot at them. They lie in wait for the innocent and unprotected. With a tirade against faithful brethren they cut the throats of the unsuspecting and leave them there to die. They misquote, misrepresent, and belittle those who stand against innovations in the church. The pasture is littered with the carcasses of those they have slain with their tongues. Why? Why did they leave their Master, home and brethren to join the wolf pack? We may never know why, but we know they did. We know they teach and practice things without scriptural authority. "....by fair and flattering words they deceive the hearts of the simple-minded."
Brethren, it is high time that all the faithful join in this wolf hunt, flush them from their hiding places. Take careful aim with the sword of the Spirit and then swing it mightily. It didn't take Mr. Hicks long to make up his mind as to what must be done in the case of Old Lep. It should take even less time for faithful brethren to know the answer as concerns modern issues. We might be able to get a pot-shot at one of them occasionally in the dark, but not much chance of hitting him where it will do the most good. Do not fire at random, but stalk your prey until he goes down, or leaves the country. The sword of the Spirit never misses when the distance, aim, and stroke are timed perfectly. These wolves in sheep's clothing must go, and not until then will the flock be at peace. Some brethren are so tender-hearted and compassionate (?) they can not stand to see one pull back the fake sheep skin and look at the undercoating — much less do it themselves. What would be their definition of a Christian? How would they describe a soldier for Christ? What do they think "fight" means? Do they know anything about suffering persecution in the name of Christ? How do they "contend for the faith?" What are they doing in the church anyway? Christ says there is no "middle of the road," neutral position. He says one is either for or against him. "Why call ye me Lord, Lord, and do not the things I say?" How can the faithful remain so and compromise with error? What will be the outcome if the faithful refuse to take a stand and "fight the good fight of faith?" Most of us know the answer. Fight error and false doctrine and do what we can to eradicate these wolves in sheep's clothing. The hunt is on, take your stand and be sure your gun is ready to fire — shoot straight!