In the chaotic animal kingdom of human society, Dave Grossman’s metaphor of wolves, sheep, and sheepdogs is as relevant as ever—especially if you’ve spent five minutes watching the news. Wolves choose evil, sheepdogs could absolutely unleash evil but don’t (thanks, Jesus), and the sheep? Well, they’re busy following whatever TikTok trend or cable news talking point is in fashion this week. Let’s face it: the sheep are both adorable and the most likely to become dinner. Some are good, some are complicit, but in the end, they all taste the same to a hungry wolf.
First, let’s talk about the wolves. Wolves don’t just dabble in evil—they invest in it. They see every situation as an all-you-can-eat buffet and the sheep as walking appetizers. Wolves are the scammers, criminals, corrupt politicians, and corporate overlords who exploit weakness for fun and profit. They’re unapologetic about their bad behavior, because why bother? It’s not like the sheep will fight back, and wolves know how to sniff out a sellout faster than a Black Friday deal at Best Buy.
What makes wolves particularly nasty is their knack for recruiting sheep. That’s right—some sheep willingly cut deals with the wolves, thinking they can climb the food chain. Spoiler alert: they can’t. Wolves don’t share power, and eventually, the traitorous sheep end up as a main course. It’s a cautionary tale as old as time: if you make a deal with the devil, you’re going to get burned (or eaten, in this case).
Ah, the sheep. Bless their woolly little hearts. They’re not bad, per se—just hopelessly naïve. Sheep do whatever the culture, media, or Karen from HR tells them to do. If the media says, “Be scared of wolves,” they’ll panic. If the culture says, “Actually, wolves are misunderstood,” they’ll start handing out hugs. Some sheep are genuinely good and try to live peacefully, but let’s be real: sheep aren’t known for their critical thinking skills.
The real tragedy of sheep is their lack of self-awareness. They don’t realize that by blindly following trends and trusting wolves, they’re basically walking into the slaughterhouse with a smile. Sure, they might try to run when the wolves show their teeth, but it’s hard to outrun predators when you’re busy arguing about transgender pronouns.
Then there are the sheepdogs, the unsung heroes who live among the sheep, pretending to be just another clueless fluff ball until danger strikes. These are your military, police, first responders and some good ole’ boys… Sheepdogs could be just as dangerous as wolves—they know how to fight, and they’re good at it. But here’s the difference: sheepdogs choose to follow Jesus, who teaches them to use their strength for good, not evil. They don’t fight because they enjoy it; they fight because someone has to keep the sheep from getting eaten (even if the sheep are too busy scrolling TikTok to notice the wolf is at the door).
Sheepdogs aren’t perfect—they have the same capacity for violence as wolves. The difference is they restrain themselves because they’re grounded in a higher purpose. They know that real strength is having the ability to destroy but choosing to protect instead. It’s not about being harmless; it’s about being disciplined enough to use power wisely.
So, what can we learn from Grossman’s metaphor? If you’re a sheep, maybe consider upgrading your personality software. Following every cultural trend without question is a one-way ticket to the wolf’s dinner plate. If you’re a wolf, congratulations—you’ve chosen evil, but don’t be surprised when a sheepdog shows up to ruin your day. And if you’re a sheepdog, keep doing what you’re doing. You might not get the thanks you deserve, but at least you won’t be anyone’s lunch.
At the end of the day, this whole metaphor boils down to one thing: choices. Wolves choose evil. Sheepdogs choose good, even when it’s hard. And sheep? They choose whatever the herd is doing, for better or worse. The only question left is: which one are you? And if you’re not a sheepdog yet, maybe it’s time to take some notes from Jesus and start growing some teeth.
Luke 22:36 (KJV):
“Then said he unto them, But now, he that hath a purse, let him take it, and likewise his scrip: and he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one.”