1. Why Shepherds Must Be Discerned
In every generation, God carries out His work through a chosen shepherd.
At the same time, the Bible warns that there are also false shepherds
who speak lies, distort the Word, and lead people away from God.
For this reason, Scripture repeatedly teaches believers
to examine the shepherd they follow,
not by appearance or title,
but by the words they speak and the fruits they bear.
2. The True Shepherd — The One Who Receives and Speaks God’s Word
Throughout Scripture, the true shepherd is the one who delivers
the word he has received from God, not from himself.
Jesus gives the clearest example of this:
John 17:8
“For I gave them the words you gave me…”
Jesus did not speak His own thoughts—
He testified only to what He received from the Father.
Likewise, the true shepherd of God:
- speaks according to Scripture,
- fulfills the promises written in the Word,
- and leads people to truth and life.
His standard is not his own opinion,
but the Word of God.
3. The False Shepherd — One Who Speaks From Himself
The Bible also warns about false shepherds
who appear righteous on the outside
but do not speak according to God’s Word.
Jesus says in John 8:47:
“He who belongs to God hears what God says.”
This implies the opposite:
those who do not speak God’s words
do not belong to God.
False shepherds:
- teach human interpretations,
- twist or add to the Scriptures,
- and mislead God’s people with lies and empty promises.
Jesus also warns in Matthew 7:15:
“Watch out for false prophets…
They come to you in sheep’s clothing,
but inwardly they are ferocious wolves.”
Outward appearance is never the standard.
Their words reveal their true nature.
4. The Biblical Standard for Discernment
According to Scripture, the shepherd sent by God can be recognized by one clear standard:
Does he speak the Word of God as it is written?
Jeremiah 23 strongly rebukes the shepherds who speak their own dreams, visions, and imaginations.
In contrast, God says:
“Let the one who has my word speak it faithfully.” (Jer. 23:28)
The true shepherd:
- speaks the fulfilled Word,
- aligns with the testimony of Scripture,
- and leads people to obedience and understanding of God’s will.
5. Why This Discernment Is Essential
The shepherd a person follows determines the direction of their faith.
A true shepherd leads to:
- truth,
- understanding,
- life,
- and ultimately salvation.
A false shepherd leads to:
- confusion,
- deception,
- and destruction.
This is why Jesus emphasizes that
only those who follow the Father’s will
enter the kingdom of heaven.
Choosing the correct shepherd—
one who speaks God’s Word—is essential
for walking the path of salvation.
