Beware the Wolves in Sheep's Clothing

Opinion

by

Perspectives

Special to United Methodist Insight | March 11. 2026

The Smear James Talarico Train is barreling down the tracks.

If you haven’t heard, the Democratic candidate for Senate from Texas is a “false prophet,” a “blasphemer”, a “danger.” Several posts I’ve read claim he is the “anti-Christ.”

I understand why he is such a target.

The conservative circles in our nation thrive on constant repetition of one theme: You cannot be a Christian and be a Democrat. This assertion runs through everything. It is relentless.

(I hoped that people in our pews would automatically know that the Great God Almighty is not mascot to any one political party. That idea itself is preposterous. But we have seen people fall for this pitch without resistance. It is double the insult to God when the Republican Party claims they are the party that honors God but their words, actions, attitudes and policies are the exact opposite of what Jesus teaches. Grrrrrrr)

But I digress. Into this “You cannot be a Christian and a Democrat” inundated world, here comes faith-based, Bible-toting, eloquent, devoted-to-Scripture James Talarico. His witness contradicts their basic claim. I am delighted to see Christians shaped by Scripture in the public square. But I also had a deep sense of dread. I knew conservatives would go after him.

My lifetime in conservative Christianity, told me he was going to be viciously attacked. Before I read the first anti-Talarico post, I knew they would spare no effort to discredit him. I knew they would go straight for the jugular. One thing that is consistent about my beloved conservative family is that when they feel threatened, brace yourself. Their commitment to telling the truth, to the teaching of Jesus (which they can quote admirably) goes out the window. My experience in life and in the church is consistent: Conservative Christians do not know how to disagree. They do not know how to listen and learn. They do not know how to discuss. They do not know how to re-examine what they believe. They are adverse to admitting they are wrong. They do know how to attack viciously anyone who questions or challenges them. Defending their faith would be something I admire except that, when they fight back, their words, actions and attitudes contradict the very beliefs they claim. That’s a heartache to see. Every. Single.Time. It is a heartbreak.

This dynamic of no-holds-barred personal attacks is what tears up families, churches, communities and relationships. The devastation is all around us. It is tragic. It is unnecessary. It tanks their Christian witness. It cuts people to the core.

Here is what I affirm: in the concerted effort to discredit James Talarico, conservative Christians are asking the right question: Is he a false prophet? That’s a question we ought to ask more often.

False prophets are dangerous. Jesus knew that false prophets are dangers and addresses the danger directly. The danger is real (then and now) and, thanks be to God, Jesus tells us just what we need to know. Maybe these faithful church folks missed Sunday School the day this vital discernment was taught. Maybe they fell asleep in the sermons their pastor preached. Maybe their pastors and Sunday School teachers glossed over this part.

The great good news is that what we need to know is readily available for us in our time of need. Jesus directly addresses false prophets. He warns us about the wolves in sheep’s clothing. Go to Matthew 7: 15-23. He warns us about false prophets. He also says we can know the difference between the true teacher and false prophets by their fruits. Do people who talk the religious talk also walk the walk? Jesus said the ones to trust are those who “hear the words of mine and do them.” And read Matthew 7:21-23 twice. Just like Matthew 25:31-46, the judgment for those who profess religion but do not practice it is severe and eternal.

If we preachers haven’t taught this clearly enough, this is our time to step up. We are living in a world of full of wolves in sheep’s clothing. Our Christian people show a gullibility that is terrifying to me. Jesus speaks again of knowing the difference between the safety we have with the shepherd and the danger with thieves and robbers. (John 10:1-8). The sheep know who to follow because they know the voice of the Shepherd. Knowing the voice of the shepherd is the difference between being safe and being eaten alive.

When the thieves and bandits come making a pitch for us to follow, the question that will keep us safe is this: Does it sound like Jesus? If the voice doesn’t sound like Jesus, don’t follow! Run! You are in danger if you follow the voice of a thief and robber, a false prophet, a wolf in sheep’s clothing. There are serious consequences or those who don't know how to distinguish false prophets from truth-speakers. Thankfully, Jesus gives us direct and clear guidance.

I John 4: 1 is plain: “Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God; for many false prophets have gone out into the world.” I am afraid we have not adequately taught people how to test the spirits. We are blessed indeed that the Scripture is very plain: “Those who say ‘I love God’ and hate their brothers or sisters are liars. For those who do not have love for a brother or sister whom they have seen cannot love God whom they have not seen.” (I John 4:20) No wonder Jesus said that all the law and the prophets when we treat others the way we want to be treated (Matthew 7:12)

Whatever deficiency of Christian teaching has brought us to this moment, the simplicity and clarity of Scripture gives us everything we need to recognize, identify, and run from the wolves in sheep’s clothing. They are everywhere.

The Rev. Dr. Mary John Dye is a retired clergy member of the Western North Carolina Conference of The United Methodist Church. This post is republished with permission from her Facebook page.