The Shepherd of God is intrinsically tied to the authority & mouthpiece of God descriptors we examined earlier. This concept is often embellished to portray the MOG (Man Of God) as tender-hearted, gentle, and ever-present to protect you—guarding the church’s gates against Satan. In reality, once we enter the MOG’s pen as would-be believers, we indeed become sheep—“the sheep of man.”
Rather than being properly nourished, we are fattened and stored for the wolf who masquerades in sheep’s clothing. Our purpose becomes shackled to feed the pride, arrogance, and greed of the MOG. Any sheep that dares to break free from this prison is chained by the fear of being devoured for disobeying the so-called “good shepherd.”
We are consistently told that the “feeding of the sheep" is achieved through preaching and teaching. While this is certainly effective when sound biblical truths are provided, it is no replacement for the complete nourishment that can only be provided through God’s direct word with no proxy in between.
1 Thessalonians 5:23-24
Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it.
What’s the bible say?
Ezekiel 34:1-4
The word of the Lord came to me: “Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel; prophesy, and say to them, even to the shepherds, Thus says the Lord God: Ah, shepherds of Israel who have been feeding yourselves! Should not shepherds feed the sheep? You eat the fat, you clothe yourselves with the wool, you slaughter the fat ones, but you do not feed the sheep. The weak you have not strengthened, the sick you have not healed, the injured you have not bound up, the strayed you have not brought back, the lost you have not sought, and with force and harshness you have ruled them.
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Sound familiar? - The context of this verse is addressing the leaders of Israel—those whom failed to lead properly. While we can draw allegorical connections from this passage, the purpose of examining this passage is to highlight God’s faithfulness to His people. God did not turn a blind eye to the failure of the Jewish leaders—He was intently aware.
Matthew 10:5-10
These twelve Jesus sent out, instructing them, “Go nowhere among the Gentiles and enter no town of the Samaritans, but go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. And proclaim as you go, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, cast out demons. You received without paying; give without pay. Acquire no gold or silver or copper for your belts, no bag for your journey, or two tunics or sandals or a staff, for the laborer deserves his food.
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Jesus instructed His 12 apostles to freely give to the lost sheep of the house of Israel without seeking personal gain, to genuinely care for the weak, and to call the strays—not by threats.
Yet a deceptive MOG may masquerade as though he were reaching out to the weak sheep of today, as we have established by now the reality often diverges from what is projected. Always examine the fruits produced by the MOG and those around him to discern their true intent.
James 2:15-16
If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.
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Within the framework of describing the proper relationship between faith and works, James admonishes behaviors such as offering “empty” prayers and proclaiming “blessings” over people’s struggles without taking any actual physical steps to help them.
John 10:11-14
I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. He who is a hired hand and not a shepherd, who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees, and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. He flees because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep. I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me
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The next time a MOG boasts the fact that he is a “shepherd”, let him be reminded that he is only a hired hand (if even that)—one which will flee us at the first sight of danger. Jesus is our good shepherd, in whom we have eternal protection.
1 Peter 5:1-4
So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed: shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock.
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Peter, the oft-quoted rock upon which Christ built His church—identified himself as a fellow elder within the body of Christ. These elders were not special celebrities, nor were they the head of the church. Peter never referred to himself as the MOG or even as “the shepherd.” Rather, he instructed these elders to shepherd (a verb, meaning to care for and guide) and to oversee (not control). In practice, elders are meant to serve as examples to the flock, not to domineer over them.
Our greatest example is Christ; therefore we should expect ourselves and our elders to equally: love as Christ did.
God has indeed provided spiritual leaders to help guide us, but we must never lose sight of who our actual Shepherd is: Jesus.
Hebrews 13:20-21
Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.
This post is part of the “Law To Grace” series, a multi-part exploration of how man-made authority and false doctrine has shaped our faith—and how God’s grace and truth can overcome these man-made shackles. Whether you’re reading in order or joining the conversation midway, each article provides insights to help you discern truth from deception and embrace the unconditional love of Christ.
This work represents my personal views and interpretations and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or representative of any organization, including the United Pentecostal Church International (UPCI) or any other religious institution. The content is intended for discussion and personal reflection. Any references to organizations, doctrines, or teachings are made for informational and analytical purposes.