Wolves in Sheep’s Clothing

Some people simply are gullible. Desiring to think the best of others, they find it hard to believe that others may be deceptive. Ignorant about the power of evil, they think everyone has good intentions, and have a hard time distinguishing truth from lies.

We see this pattern, for example, when we realize how many people were fooled into believing Adolf Hitler, that master of deception. In spite of his actions, they continued to believe his deceitful promises.

In 1936, a French newspaper wrote, “Hitler has torn up a treaty” and “broken all his promises.” Yet, amazingly, the paper concluded, “We must take him at his word.” After meeting with Hitler in September 1938, British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain recognized his “hardness and ruthlessness.” But he concluded, “Here was a man who could be relied upon when he had given his word.”

Hitler and his cronies were amused by this gullibility. Hermann Goering said, “I should like to discuss these things with Mr. Chamberlain some time, but I suppose all he would want to talk about is peace.”

Jesus warned us to “beware of the false prophets,” realizing that people may appear to be innocent and harmless. Ideas we hear may seem safe and acceptable, yet this is how evil can infiltrate our lives.

Today, make sure that you are careful about what you allow into your mind and what you believe. Remember: The devil constantly seeks to spread confusion, to attack, and to bring death, discouragement, and disease. Be on guard, and be careful who you allow to influence your life.