Christians only please: how can we tell the wolves from the sheep?

Question

When I was very young I went to work at a bible camp. The lady there was very much a fundie, told me that my previous salvation experience wasn't good enough. She segregated me from the other staff and used me for pretty much slave labor in the kitchen. That lasted a couple of weeks until I blew up and she fired me.
Thanks to her, I ran as far and as fast as I could away from church and from God. Later on her bible camp was taken away from her because she was casting demons out of 9 yr olds.
If she truly represented God, I saw none of the joy or peace I have since experienced in Him, only rabid judgement.
I was only 19 when that happened and pretty much a sinner like everyone else, but I did have a salvation experience when I was 8, accepted the Lord and was baptized. Trouble was, I had been abused by people who said they were Christians-by the time I was 19 I didn't know what to think, only that church was equated with hurt & hypocrisy for me. Was she for real?

This actually happened to me. I gave this account as an example of what we Christians are capable of doing to our own young people.
The experience with this woman left me: hurt, confused, angry, scared, doubting God. She definately used the hellfire insurance policy routine to try to whip me into her idea of a good "Christian".
If we even alienate our "baby" Christians how are we to reach the
world?
I thank everyone who took the time to sincerely answer this question. Brian-the fruits of the spirit are a good indicator. Zorro, Dr. G, Annemarie Z, make-it-right, Slim-thanks!
It has been very difficult to choose a best answer because so many were good.
Forgiveness is key here, too. As a more mature Christian I must forgive this lady. She still scares me though! And, as of my last contact with her, she's still practicing the "damned if you don't agree" dogma.
Peace be with all of you and God bless your kindness.

Fireball226-yes I am for real. And Matthew 18:3 responds to your answer.

Answer 1

Unfortunately, it is people like that who give Christians as a whole a bad name. You need to get into the Bible and use that as your guide. A Christian is by definition "Christ-like". Look at the example that Jesus set. Humans are always going to be first and foremost human, we all make mistakes and even devoutly honest Christians can disappoint you. You can be sure a sheep is a sheep by its actions, words and spirit. The fruits of the spirit include love, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, self-control, etc. A Christian should consistently exhibit such characteristics. Find a good, bible-believing church with a solid foundation and a support system for "baby" Christians. Do not immediately distrust, but pray for guidance in God's Will.

Answer 2

Since you were a Christian before, you should have a bible right? Check out Matthew 7:15-19. Many other scriptures also refer to certain people or groups as wolves. Ezekiel 22:27, Matthew 10:16, Luke 10:13, Acts 20:29, 30.

You can use the way individuals think and act as a loose guide. If they spread information or says thing that are against what the the others generally accept as the truth, they are likely an apostate, or a wolf.

I am one of Jehovah's Witnesses. As a group we are frowned upon by many other religions. Even if your former/current religion advises against or even forbids it, I encourage you to visit you local congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses and ask the brothers or sisters there for a more detailed answer.

Visit https://watch002.securesites.net/contact/submit.htm and fill out the form and you will be contacted at a time of your choice by us.

I hope you find the answers you are looking for.

Answer 3

Sadly there are many which call themselves Christian which lack the fruits of the spirit. Without more information I can not say if the person was a Christian or not. However not having the fruits of the Spirit is a serious problem.

Galatians 5:22-23a "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance:"

Jesus said that these fruits or evidences will be present in Christian. Jesus also said that His sheep WILL hear His voice (John 10:4). I would be happy to direct you to a good Christian church if you would like. Just drop me an email.

Answer 4

How can we tell? Look at the fruit they bare! Is it good or bad?

This parables explanation by Jesus says there are posers in the church. I am very sorry you were hurt. Take your experience now and use it with prayer to help others who have been hurt.
If you will read these passages in Matthew 13 you will see what happens to posers in the Kingdom of Christ.

The Devil places them there. Chin up kiddo, God obviously is calling you or these emotions wouldn't be cropping up now.
You may be the very instrument God uses to save someone else from the same type of pain.
Forgive, Forgive, Forgive, is my plea to you.

Answer 5

Your experience sounds just about par for the course. Being clobbered is part of being a Christian. You need to find a sound well-balanced church - which is going to be difficult. Meanwhile there are various organisations which provide material for home Bible study - you must get to know the Scriptures and memorise them. You will find your discernment between good and evil become more acute and providing invaluable guidance.

Answer 6

I don't think so. Going back to the original question: "how can we tell the wolves from the sheep?" the axe has been laid, sometimes the experience of being keenly aware takes time and experience and can be difficult, but in short, you will KNOW them by their fruits (actions):

Matthew 7:15-20:

15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.

16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?

17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.

18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.

19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.

20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.

Answer 7

you can tell real christians if they have the frutage of the spirit, Jesus said many would come on the basis of his name.

(Galatians 5:22-24) 22 On the other hand, the fruitage of the spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, faith, 23 mildness, self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24 Moreover, those who belong to Christ Jesus impaled the flesh together with its passions and desires. . .

(Colossians 2:8) 8 Look out: perhaps there may be someone who will carry YOU off as his prey through the philosophy and empty deception according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary things of the world and not according to Christ. . .

(Matthew 15:7-9) . . .YOU hypocrites, Isaiah aptly prophesied about YOU, when he said, 8 ‘This people honors me with their lips, yet their heart is far removed from me. 9 It is in vain that they keep worshiping me, because they teach commands of men as doctrines. . .

(Acts 17:2) 2 So according to Paul’s custom he went inside to them, and for three sabbaths he reasoned with them from the Scriptures,

(Acts 20:28-30) . . .Pay attention to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the holy spirit has appointed YOU overseers, to shepherd the congregation of God, which he purchased with the blood of his own [Son]. 29 I know that after my going away oppressive wolves will enter in among YOU and will not treat the flock with tenderness, 30 and from among YOU yourselves men will rise and speak twisted things to draw away the disciples after themselves.

Now what you really need is a Bible study to learn what the Bible teaches, go to www.watctower.org & then to "contact us" & request a visit we don't force people to believe anything, we only reason from the scriptures like I just did

Answer 8

You know people by their fruit. None are perfect, all have sinned.
If you were saved, then you were, unless you denied it, or never were truly saved. I believe she should have had the joy of the Lord. Some people get pretty legal, so I question their salvation. But only the person and God knows for sure.

Answer 9

I can't tell you, but, God can. You should ask God.

God is real and God does talk to people.

Talking to God sometimes goes to people's heads and makes it easier for Satan to target them. Talking to God is nothing special, anyone and everyone can do it. Most people don't.

There are a couple of things you should know.

God will not tell you to do anything that is not in scripture so you should test everything you believe you are told by scripture.

In Judges 6 Gideon is spoken to by God, but, is afraid of falling victim to a demon so Gideon asks God to perform a miracle so that he knows it is God talking and not a demon.

God has no problem proving he is himself, Christ showed the nail holes and the gash in his side to the Apostles and Thomas when they doubted their own senses.

God has a problem with people testing him for their own purposes so do not think that you can "prove" God with a test just because.

When God comes to you, God has no problem proving who he is to you.

Just don't expect God to prove himself to non-believers. God works the way God wants to and does not follow your demands anymore than you obey the demands of a bird chirping outside your bedroom window.

PS: About knowing them by their fruits, without the Holy Spirit you cannot judge the fruits. There are a lot of people who think they know what God wants and preach all kinds of weird things, I am sure they know fruit! Ask God, do not waste time with your own understanding.

The fruit of Christ was Crucifixion. I bet a lot of people thought that was a rotten fruit.

Answer 10

She was bad.

You stick with your trust and faith and you will be fine. I have experienced isolation and criticism from "so called Christians" but just think of them as being ignorant. Apparently they have not studied the real Word of God.

I left but I came back and I am now very happy. Check out what different denominations believe. That will help you make you decision.