Naming the Wolves: Why Labels Are Biblical and Necessary

Naming the Wolves: Why Labels Are Biblical and Necessary

There is a growing discomfort in our day with calling things what they are. Many will say, “Don’t use labels; they divide us. Just preach Jesus.” But the Word of God shows us plainly that naming sin, identifying false teachers, and exposing destructive movements is not only biblical—it is essential. Shepherds must guard the flock, and guarding requires recognizing the wolf and sounding the alarm by name.

Jesus Himself declared, “Ye shall know them by their fruits” (Matthew 7:16). He did not say, “Ignore the fruit, look the other way, and hope for the best.” To identify fruit is to label it—good or bad, righteous or corrupt. The Lord called the Pharisees “hypocrites, blind guides, fools, serpents, a generation of vipers” (Matthew 23:13–33). That is not soft language. That is not broad generalization. That is sharp, precise, Spirit-led labeling. Christ exposed them for what they were.

The prophets did the same. Elijah confronted Ahab and Jezebel directly, calling out their idolatry and bloodshed. Isaiah declared, “Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil” (Isaiah 5:20). Jeremiah labeled the prophets of his day “lying prophets” who “strengthen the hands of evildoers” (Jeremiah 23:14). Paul named names: “Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world” (2 Timothy 4:10). He warned Timothy of “Hymenaeus and Philetus” who had strayed from the truth (2 Timothy 2:17). John labeled certain men “antichrists” (1 John 2:18). To refuse to name names and use labels is to refuse to follow the biblical pattern of protecting the flock.

This brings us to our modern day. When we speak of liberalism, we are not merely speaking of a political preference for lower taxes or higher taxes, this or that policy. We are speaking of a system of thought that has exalted man above God, normalized rebellion, and legalized sin. It is a system that approves of abortion, celebrates sexual immorality, mocks the holiness of God, and seeks to silence anyone who proclaims righteousness. In this sense, liberalism is not just a political movement—it is a moral rebellion, an antichrist spirit clothed in political garments. To refuse to label it as such is to refuse to expose the wolf.

Some say, “But won’t labels cause division?” Yes, they will—and rightly so. Truth always divides. Christ said, “Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword” (Matthew 10:34). Light exposes darkness, and darkness will hate the light. Division is not caused by naming sin; it is caused by sin itself. A doctor who diagnoses cancer is not causing the cancer—he is exposing it. In the same way, to label evil movements for what they are is not hateful, but faithful.

When Paul stood in Athens, he confronted the entire worldview of the Greeks. When Peter preached at Pentecost, he told the people plainly, “Ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain” (Acts 2:23). That was not vague preaching. That was direct accusation, rooted in truth. Preaching that never names sin is not biblical preaching—it is flattery. Preaching that avoids offending is not Spirit-filled preaching—it is cowardice.

The church in America has grown soft because it has silenced its own prophetic voice. In order to avoid persecution, many pulpits have stripped the edge from their message. They water down their words, omit the hard sayings, and refuse to call wolves by name. Yet the Scripture says, “Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and shew my people their transgression” (Isaiah 58:1). That is not a call to vague niceties. That is a call to trumpet-blast clarity.

So when we label liberalism as antichrist, murderous, and godless, we are not engaging in petty name-calling—we are obeying Scripture. We are guarding the flock. We are warning the sheep. We are identifying the wolf. A shepherd who sees the wolf coming and says nothing is no shepherd at all.

Yes, we must speak with grace. Yes, we must remember that individuals can repent, and Christ died for all who will turn to Him. But grace does not mean silence. Love does not mean flattery. True love warns. True shepherding labels the danger.

The days ahead will demand more clarity, not less. If we cannot name the enemies of God’s truth now, we will be swept aside by them later. The ekklesia must recover the boldness of Christ, the prophets, and the apostles. We must not fear labels, but wield them rightly, biblically, and prophetically. For as Paul wrote, “Have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them” (Ephesians 5:11). Reproof requires naming the darkness.

It is time for the people of God to speak plainly again. The world is not confused because we are too clear—the world is perishing because we are too silent. Wolves must be named. Evil must be labeled. Liberalism must be exposed. And Christ must be exalted as Lord over all.