Just a little story, I won’t use the word parable, that encompasses our daily walk with God and some of the struggles therein:
There is a flock of sheep grazing in a meadow, enjoying the green grass and the still water, all seems well. There are also a couple of rams also grazing along with the rest of the flock, very astute watchers that actually help in keeping some of the danger away from the weaker sheep.
Rams do have the capacity to deter a wolf or other predator by using their horns and the hardness of their bony heads. They aren’t perfect predator protection, but they are a helpful defense and aid for the shepherd. They can actually become territorial, as we may see in some nature videos, slamming into each other head first.
Such is what happened in this flock, the rams have a disagreement about which meadow to eat from and as rams do they begin slamming into each other, attempting to take each other out of commission. The loud clanging and banging brings the rest of the flock of follower sheep over to the excitement of the duel……soon, some of the sheep started to separate into two very distinct camps.
They began cheering for their chosen champion, urging one on against the other, neither camp really seeking the actual basis of this challenge, like sheep will do, they simply had their favorite ram that they wanted to see become the victor, they don’t care who is the better qualified protector, or leader, they just had an emotional need that they needed fulfilled……..
The One that they all seemed to forget was the Shepherd, He truly is their protector, He entrusted the rams to aid in him in the protection. And now they were in a fight to the death, or at least until one gives up and slinks away.
In the high grass a wolf is watching this display of ram blasting, and all the sheep with their backs to him while he licks his chops and dreams about the lamb-chops and stew that he and his cronies will be having very soon.
Fortunately for the flock The Shepherd steps in and separates His rams before they completely mutilate each other, His rod of correction puts these seemingly devout adversaries back on track and into the business of protecting the flock, leading them to good grassy meadows where they can all be fed and nourished to health and happiness.
This is a simplification of a very modern and even ancient problem, we sheep are to learn to discern things rightly, we are to search the scriptures as even the Great Apostle Paul said to do, Weigh out things said by men to see if they be true, there are a lot of voices in our circles that spout things that are not well thought out. It is up to us to know the truth or at least search it out and expertly expose the deception, whether it be from simple ignorance or from blatant prideful exuberance. The Truth will set you free.
Do not set your sights on the ram as your champion, set your sights on the SHEPHERD for He is the only One that will truly be correct 100% of the time. He is always with us and He will never forsake us. His Word is never further away that your nearest Bible. We just need to apply the time to read and study.
This is not a denigration of anyone, it is analogy. Weigh evidence seek truth and stay firmly behind the Shepherd. The rams will work it out in their own time. Turn off the automatic emotional reaction to the dispute…..
1 Thessalonians 5:21 KJV – “Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.”
Scripture to consider: 1 Corinthians 3…whole chapter
John 10:27 KJV – “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:”
John 10:14 KJV – “I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.”
Acts 17:11 KJV – ” These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.”
Land of Confusion 