Beware of wolves in sheep clothing! Here are some ways to notice them:
Wolves are ruled by their flesh
They appear godly and pious but are in fact ungodly people who are ruled by their flesh and desires. Scriptures refer to them as false teachers.
“Beware of the false prophets, [teachers] who come to you dressed as sheep [appearing gentle and innocent], but inwardly are ravenous wolves. – Matthew 7:15(AMP)
"For such men are counterfeit apostles, deceitful workers, masquerading as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, since Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light." - 2 Corinthians 11:13-14
Wolves make disciples for themselves using a false sense of humility
They do not point others to Jesus, but revel in having people come to them for answers and solutions. They do this very subtly by showing their prey a false sense of humility. If you dig deep enough, wolves are very proud and arrogant people! They can go to any lengths (good and bad) to get followers because they just can’t function properly without having people they can exploit and manipulate.
"These [false teachers] are springs without water and mists driven by a tempest, for whom is reserved the gloom of black darkness. For uttering arrogant words of vanity [pompous words disguised to sound scholarly or profound, but meaning nothing and containing no spiritual truth], they beguile and lure using lustful desires, by sensuality, those who barely escape from the ones who live in error." 2 Peter 2:17-18(AMP)
Wolves are self-serving, ambitious and very conscious of hierarchy
Just like the animal itself, false teachers are more concerned about themselves than other members in the body of Christ. They are extremely conscious of hierarchy and always try exerting their authority at every given opportunity. In fact, their desire is to lead the entire fold. They display their dominance, influence and power through intimidation. They achieve this by patiently and violently scheming their way to the top.
"These men are hidden reefs [elements of great danger to others] in your love feasts when they feast together with you without fear, looking after [only] themselves; [they are like] clouds without water, swept along by the winds; autumn trees without fruit, doubly dead, uprooted and lifeless; wild waves of the sea, flinging up their own shame like foam; wandering stars, for whom the gloom of deep darkness has been reserved forever." - Jude 12-13 (AMP).
Wolves are very territorial conscious and fight other wolves
Wolves are known to be involved in bloody fights with other wolves when it comes to establishing their territories. Once these people suspect a threat to their position, they fight and are not concerned about who gets in their way or what happens to them. Even when they meet "like-minds", they never want to be in second place. But if they do find themselves in such position, it won’t be for long as they are ever scheming to usurp such territories and become the main leader. This typifies the animalistic relationship between the Alpha wolf and Beta wolf usually found in wolf packs.
"Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple." Romans 16:17(KJV).
Wolves’ sharp senses make them sneaky in targeting certain believers
Their eyesight, hearing and sense of smell are excellent in the things of the flesh. This makes it easy for them to lure, target and prey on believers who are weak, discouraged, sick, injured, carnal or just wrongly positioned. They latch on to these weaknesses, gain the trust of their prey and exploit it for their personal aggrandizement eventually transitioning them into becoming their disciples.
"For such people do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites and base desires. By smooth and flattering speech they deceive the hearts of the unsuspecting [the innocent and the naive]." Romans 16:18 (AMP).
Wolves are aggressive, ruthless and never satisfied
Wolves have big insatiable appetites for power and become aggressive and ruthless in getting what they want. Since they are ruled by their fleshly desires, they do not really care about you but more about what they can get from you. They would drop you the minute they perceive you are no longer useful to their cause.
"I know that after I am gone, [false teachers like] ferocious wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock;" - Acts 20:29(AMP)
Wolves are not sound in biblical doctrine
They use their smooth talks, charisma and their listeners/followers biblical ignorance to get away with their lack of spiritual depth and understanding of biblical doctrine. Emotions and sentiments becloud their judgment of scriptures in every way. They often use and twist scriptures to support their warped ambition thereby causing division/factions in the church than actually building up.
"But [in those days] false prophets arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will subtly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing swift destruction on themselves. 2 Many will follow their shameful ways, and because of them the way of truth will be maligned. 3 And in their greed they will exploit you with false arguments and twisted doctrine. Their sentence [of condemnation which God has decreed] from a time long ago is not idle [but is still in force], and their destruction and deepening misery is not asleep [but is on its way]." - 2 Peter 2:1-3 (AMP)