Teach me your way, Lord, that I may rely on your faithfulness; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name. – Psalm 86:11, NIV
In 1886, Robert Louis Stevenson published a book titled The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. The book was about a lawyer who investigated his friend, Dr. Jekyll. The more he looked into his friend, the more his friend resembled Mr. Hyde. It soon became clear that the doctor also had a dark side.
Some Christians live very much like Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. When they’re at church or around other Christians, they behave like Dr. Jekyll, an upstanding man in the community. But when they’re alone or away from the church, they begin to resemble Mr. Hyde. They live for themselves. They lie, cheat, and steal.
In Matthew 7:15 (NIV), Jesus warns about these people. “Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves.”
This is especially helpful to remember if you’re in charge of hiring people or gathering volunteers for a project. While we can’t always predict who the wolf will be, we can ask God for wisdom and discernment on who we allow into our lives.
Prayer:
Lord, I confess: I don’t always recognize the wolf in sheep’s clothing. Please give me discernment and wisdom when it comes to working with others. Show me who I should grow closer to and who I should pull away from. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
