Who will follow the JUDAS SHEEP?

--‘The JUDAS SHEEP & the SHEPHERD’

Who will follow the JUDAS SHEEP?

The answer is many. In the world of livestock management, a Judas sheep works for the butcher. They are planted and trained to lead unsuspecting sheep to their slaughter. They appear harmless and participate in what seems good, only to gain the trust of innocent lambs. When they know the lambs will blindly follow them, they casually lead them away from safety and right into the clutches of the butcher while they themselves escape unharmed. They have a history of betrayal. This was probably not the first time they did it. They will do this again and again. Over and over they will do this. Time after time those foolish enough to blindly follow them end the same way… DEATH. Judas sheep are not just found among livestock; they walk among us daily.

This is why the bible says: Sheep without a shepherd are easily led astray!

Jesus had great compassion on the crowd gathered in such a deserted place, because they were harassed, helpless, confused and without food… He called them sheep without a shepherd. [Mark 6:34; Matthew 9:36]  The word poimēn – or noun poimainō, used in scripture means shepherd or pastor.

Isaiah 53 says that people are like sheep who easily go astray. Unless sheep see or hear their shepherd, they will follow the sheep in front of them without any thought as to where they are going. The trouble with sheep is that without a shepherd “we all turn to our own way.” [Isaiah 53:6] There is a way that men think is right, and its ways are the ways of death. [Proverbs 14:12] Without a shepherd to follow... sheep will follow sheep?

Satan loves the castrated, frustrated and unfruitful male sheep called a ‘JUDAS SHEEP” ? They are not shepherds but they love to lead and be seen as a leader yet there is no lasting fruit in them. Everyone who follows them eventually ends up dead. Satan loves planting them in the midst of a flock to lead the unknowing astray and away from their pasture. The Judas sheep is trained to earn the lambs’ trust by being among them and for them, but once they trust them, they only lead them to the killing floor. As THE JUDAS SHEEP walks with confidence, without hesitation and blindly, many sheep will just blindly follow him to their death. He is the only one that does not die for he goes back to see which other sheep he can get to follow him to the same place. He will keep doing this until he is stopped. This is what is called a Judas sheep. Jesus made it clear that we are meant to follow a true shepherd not a hireling or another sheep. So many people are following a sheep who acts like a leader but they have no call FROM GOD on their life.

Most people think they are wise on their own, but the truth is without a GOOD shepherd they are no better than wandering sheep. Wild sheep eat anything, get infected feet, become infertile (no more lambs), are easily taken by predators, and eventually, because of a lack of care and shepherding, their wool grows uncontrollably until the weight of it becomes a hindrance to their health and safety. Another problem is that their skin produces lots of lanolin, a very sticky substance that comes out everywhere and causes dirt, weeds, vegetation, seeds, anything blowing in the wind, anything they rub up against to stick to them. Sheep are dirty unless the shepherd cleans them. They cannot go to toilet unless the wool under their tail is cleaned. Unless they are cared for sheep without a shepherd have a very short lifespan. They block up and will die slowly only realizing it when it’s too late.

WHO WILL TELL THEM? IS there anybody or is this a futile end. What kind of God does not care for His children. Not our God... He provided shepherds.

This motif of 'shepherdless sheep' is an often-used way God describes lost people. The first Bible reference to shepherd is Abel, the son of Adam. He was the first shepherd killed for worshipping and obeying God. [Genesis 4:2] I think of the prayer Moses prayed when his time on earth was nearing its end. He prayed and appealed to God: “O LORD, you are the God who gives breath to all creatures. Please appoint a new man as leader for the community. Give them someone who will guide them wherever they go and will lead them into battle, so the community of the LORD will not be like sheep without a shepherd.” [Numbers 27:15-17] Look at how David’s calling is described in scripture: David was pulled from the fold of sheep to become God’s shepherd of Jacob his people. With an upright heart he shepherded them. [Psalm 78:70-72]

Jesus said you will know a GOOD shepherd… A GOOD shepherd is never a HIRELING … they are ALWAYS serving the Lord… they are ALWAYS giving their life for the sheep! They don't sell out their sheep or reputation for something 'better'. They are not distracted by other callings, temptations and worldly distractions. For them holiness, purity, loyalty, fire and faith is never negotiable. For they know God, seek Him without ceasing, spend time with Him, pray, worship and find themselves in His word continuously. Sadly, there are too many hirelings, but be encouraged there are also MANY GOOD shepherds. They are the ones people must follow because it’s God’s voice they hear, God’s actions they see and God’s love they feel... in and through them. Such humble worshipping leaders are an everyday real reflection of Jesus. You can see... they’ve been with God. Paul said: Follow me, imitate me, do everything I do… as I follow the Lord! [1 Corinthians 11:1] BUT… If I am not following God… and I don’t sound like Jesus… or act like Jesus… then you should stop following me for I have lost my way. Turn away and ask God to show you one who is following Jesus closely.

Our eyes should always be on Jesus first then on His shepherds. Peter said: As a fellow elder, I appeal to you: Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, watching over them—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but EAGER TO SERVE; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but BEING EXAMPLES to the flock. And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away. [1 Peter 5:1-4]

Peter was remined of this great responsibility when Jesus confronted him with... “Do you love Me? ... Do you love Me? ... Do you love Me” to which he replied: “Yes, I love You.” When Peter was sure that he really loved Jesus then Jesus asked him, “Feed My lambs ... Feed My sheep ... Feed My sheep.” My sheep will need shepherding. They are not good without a shepherd. They do not do well without a pastor. Go shepherd them. Re-present Me within the church. [John 21:15-17]

The calling of a GOOD shepherd must always be to become a syzygos (companion) with the CHIEF Shepherd (archipoimen) of the flock Himself.

Once you were like sheep who wandered away. But now you have turned to your Shepherd, the Guardian of your souls. [1 Peter 2:25] I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep... I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me — just as the Father knows me and I know the Father — and I lay down my life for the sheep. [John 10:11, 14-15]'

It is a wonderful thing to know and understand the great gift and blessing we have in GOOD shepherds and a wonderful CHIEF shepherd… let’s heed the council and wisdom of the Lord and not end up becoming sheep gone astray!

Ask the Lord and He will show you a GOOD shepherd you can follow as they follow the Lord, but remember a GOOD shepherd… if they truly are GOOD… will be accountable to God and will not always please you!... and that’s why they are GOOD for you!

If you have a really GOOD, God-fearing and deeply spiritual shepherd in your life today... then thank God for them and pray for them everyday that they will get better and better at following the Lord... for that will be GOOD for you!

NEVER ALLOW A JUDAS SHEEP TO STEAL YOU AWAY FROM YOUR FLOCK AND YOUR SHEPHERD. It will only hurt you!

TEACHING BY NICO SMIT

‘The JUDAS SHEEP & the SHEPHERD’ - published 22 August 2025. Find it, and many other teaching and prophetic words on: nicosmitblog.com

ALSO REMEMBER TO ORDER MY NEW BOOK:- ‘Gilgal to Bethel’ and others from my blog page or most online booksellers.