A sheep, a goat and a wolf, walk into a church. No, this is not the beginning of a joke. It is a spiritual reality. These three animals serve as metaphors for those who regularly gather at church services. Let’s look at these three descriptive images.

First, note the sheep. Jesus said, “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father’s hand” (John 10:27-29). Someone explains, “In the biblical narrative, believers are often metaphorically referred to as ‘sheep,’ a term that conveys both the nature of the relationship between God and His people and the characteristics expected of the faithful.” Make certain you know Jesus Christ, the Good Shepherd, as your Savior and Lord!

Second, note the goats. Matthew 25:31-33 reads, “When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then He will sit on the throne of His glory. All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate them one from another, as a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats. And He will set the sheep on His right hand, but the goats on the left.” While this refers to the judgement of the nations, this image has relevance to those who regularly attend church but have not been genuinely born again, who could rightly be called goats. Charles Spurgeon once famously remarked, “A time will come when instead of shepherds feeding the sheep, the church will have clowns entertaining the goats.” Paul said, “I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some” (1 Corinthians 9:22b). There is a danger of going too far to win people. When the message is compromised, we are no longer winning people as God intends. We need to use methods that are worthy of the message of the gospel.

Third, note the wolves. Matthew 7:15-16a reads, “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits.” Acts 20:29-30 reads, “For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves.” Matthew 10:16 reads, “Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves.” Wolves can be identified by their words and works, and we must exercise spiritual discernment and Scriptural discipline to become wise to their dangerous and destructive ways to avoid them.

Remember these things when you go to church. A sheep, a goat, or a wolf, which one are you?

Dr. Franklin L. Kirksey, of Robertsdale, is the author of "Don't Miss the Revival! Messages for Revival and Spiritual Awakening from Isaiah.