John 10:8

“The ones who appeared on the scene prior to me are nothing more than crooks and sheep rustlers,” Jesus adds. “That is why the sheep do not respond to their voices.” John 10:8 EFP 

To whom is Jesus referring in this statement? Those who came before him—who are they? False prophets who tried to lure the crowds to certain perdition? The well-established teachers of the law who sit in the seat of instruction and heap on the populace overwhelming rules and regulations? Perhaps, but then it can be argued that the sheep, at least some of them, responded to the allure of the pretenders.

So who are they? Perhaps Jesus’ point is not so much the pretenders’ ability to deceive and succeed in their quest to snatch away the sheep, rather on the fact that “his” sheep do not respond to the beckoning of the seducers. The sheep that know his voice are not deceived. Those that are not well-acquainted to the peculiar tone and tenor of his voice, can be and are led astray.

So, whether the voice the sheep hear comes from an outright charlatan or deceiver it can only be distinguished from the true shepherd’s voice by those who have spent sufficient time under his care. The rest are in mortal danger. This is a word to the wise who consider all voices equal. They are not equal. Jesus’ words once again establish a clear line of demarcation. If I am one of his sheep, I will not respond to the “voices” of the enemy regardless of the garb. The voice may seem attractive and inviting, but the end is death. Lord, let me become deeply familiar to your voice and follow it wherever it leads me.