The Problem with Sheep – Greg Laurie Devotion – March 18, 2026

Biblical Context

The first letter of Peter goes out to believers spread across Asia Minor, people who were suffering for their faith. Peter calls them ‘exiles’ or ‘strangers,’ reminding them that their true home isn’t here on earth. He’s writing to encourage them to stand firm and live in a way that shows God’s goodness, even when things are hard. Peter, one of Jesus’ closest followers, saw firsthand what it meant to stray and then be brought back by the Good Shepherd. He speaks from his own life, helping his readers understand God’s protective love.

Key Word Study

Let’s look at the word Shepherd in our main verse. In Greek, it’s poimēn (ποιμήν). This word means more than just someone who watches over animals. A poimēn is a protector, a provider, and a leader. This person leads the flock to good pastures and fresh water, keeps them safe from danger, and searches for any sheep that get lost. It’s a picture of someone who cares deeply and actively for the well-being of those under their watch, always guiding them and looking out for them.

The Problem with Sheep

The Bible really does compare Christians to sheep quite a lot. I don’t know if I’m really happy about that because sheep aren’t the most intelligent animals on earth. It would have been nice if God had compared us to dolphins. Now, there’s an intelligent animal. I once had the opportunity to talk to a man who trained dolphins. I asked him, “Are dolphins really as intelligent as they seem?”

He said, “In some ways, yes, and in some ways, no. They are very intelligent in many ways because a dolphin can read a symbol and understand what it means.” That is amazing to me.

But Jesus didn’t compare us to dolphins. He compared us to sheep. And sheep are some of the dumbest animals around. They are vulnerable, easily spooked, can’t run very fast, and lack any means of defending themselves. What’s more, they are in constant need of care and attention. Sheep are known to follow each other even to their own death. It has been documented that if one sheep walks off a cliff, others will follow.

We Are Strayers

This comparison hits home when we look at our own lives. The Bible says, “All of us, like sheep, have strayed away. We have left God’s paths to follow our own” (Isaiah 53:6 nlt). And, you have to admit, that description hits pretty close to home. Think about how many people have bought into the same lies, generation after generation. They fall into the same junk, the same addictions, and the same traps again and again. If we’re honest with ourselves, we must admit that we are strayers. We put distance between ourselves and God.

Our Shepherd Doesn’t Give Up

Of course, our Shepherd won’t stand idly by while we get lost following our own path. Jesus makes that clear in His parable of the lost sheep. “If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them gets lost, what will he do? Won’t he leave the ninety-nine others in the wilderness and go to search for the one that is lost until he finds it? And when he has found it, he will joyfully carry it home on his shoulders. When he arrives, he will call together his friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Rejoice with me because I have found my lost sheep’” (Luke 15:4–6 nlt).

This shows us how much our Shepherd loves us. He doesn’t just let us wander off for good. He comes looking for us, no matter how far we’ve gone or how lost we seem. He’s not angry; He’s full of joy when He finds us.

The Advantages of Being Sheep

Psalm 23, one of the best-known passages in all of Scripture, reminds us that there are advantages to being sheep. “The Lord is my shepherd; I have all that I need. He lets me rest in green meadows; he leads me beside peaceful streams. He renews my strength. He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to his name” (verses 1–3 nlt).

When you’re a sheep with a good shepherd, you don’t have to worry about finding food, water, or safety. You don’t have to figure out the right path. Your shepherd takes care of all of it. We get everything we need from Him. He gives us peace, brings us new strength, and makes sure we’re on the right track.

Smart Sheep Stay Close

We are like sheep. There’s no getting around that. The question is, are you going to be a smart sheep or a dumb one? Smart sheep stay close to the Shepherd. They know they’re safer, better fed, and more secure when they’re right by Him. And that’s where we all need to be.

When we stay close to Jesus, our Shepherd, we don’t wander off cliffs or fall into traps. We get His constant care, His protection, and His guidance. He gives us everything we need and leads us on the right paths, every single day. Let’s choose to be smart sheep, staying right by His side.