"JUDAS & The Nature of SHEEP and GOATS!"

Are you a SHEEP or a GOAT?  Do you have the Spirit of Jesus or that of Judas? It's a simple question. But the answer has many layers contingent upon your relationship with the King and His Kingdom. They look very similar but can only be differentiated by the composition of their "character."

In the Gospel of Matthew Chapter 25:31-46, the Apostle clearly delineates what ALL BELIEVERS must do in order to be considered a Kingdom Citizen according to the Word of God. These are not my words, this what God said.

He outlines the judgement associated with our active participation or lack of involvement in marketplace ministry, that is, "serving God's people in the marketplace" versus "leading the people to slaughter."

These are the characteristics of goats. They are capricious (subject to sudden, unpredictable changes). They are impulsive and unpredictable, devious and contrary. If they are not poking their heads through fences, they may be standing on their hind legs, stretching for those tender leaves just out of reach. Goats are never content with what they have. These are the people that reject Christ consistently without remorse.

Goats are experts in opening gates and squeezing through small gaps because they hate to be confined. Fences that will handle sheep, cattle, and horses will not hold goats. They will work tirelessly to spring themselves from any situation they deem inhibiting. As a result, goats are not very good followers. "Gregarious behavior" is a term that refers to the flocking or herding instinct which is found strongly in sheep, cattle, and horses. 

Again, this quality is rather weak in goats; they prefer leading or going off on their own. Meat packers use this instinct in sheep and goats to their advantage. They will train an old goat, appropriately called a "Judas," to lead sheep to the pens for slaughter. 

A sheep follows its Shepherd, peacefully moving forward with the flock. He is content to be led because he has faith in Him. A sheep responds to his Shepherd's voice and goes where He directs. On the other hand, a goat follows only its own lead, creating disunity when he comes in contact with others in the flock. Because of his independent nature, he often finds himself in contention with the Shepherd for leadership of the flock, leading some astray. A goat often eats things—a symbol of ingesting spiritual instruction—sheep would avoid because they have no real value and cause sickness.

A well-trained Judas will lead flocks of sheep to the slaughter all day long.