Jesus Christ, as the Good Shepherd and Chief Shepherd, has appointed under-shepherds to watch over His flock, a practice that spans from ancient Israel to the New Covenant church era and will continue into the Millennium. These under-shepherds are gifted by Him to reflect His own shepherding attributes and to carry out their responsibilities in alignment with His pattern. However, false shepherds, not appointed by God, also exist, acting as thieves and robbers who steal, kill, and destroy, or as hirelings who prioritize their own safety over the sheep's needs, abandoning them in times of danger. God pronounces woe on appointed shepherds who become derelict, scattering and neglecting the flock, leading them astray, or feeding themselves rather than the sheep, ruling with cruelty instead of care. Despite imperfections, Jesus Christ has established the roles of under-shepherds as part of His ordained order. Sheep face the danger of becoming overly dependent on under-shepherds, risking spiritual immaturity by not testing all things or discerning good from evil, or focusing more on the under-shepherd than the Chief Shepherd. Conversely, rejecting under-shepherds entirely and choosing to go without guidance leads to a negative and harmful condition, as sheep without a shepherd are consistently depicted as lost and vulnerable. When scattered by abuse or neglect, sheep can only beseech the Good Shepherd to gather them to an under-shepherd of His choosing.

Sheep have a natural inclination to assemble in flocks, a characteristic that allows a lone shepherd to manage hundreds of them. As members of God's church, we are likened to sheep, and our ministers are compared to shepherds. Sheep require constant care due to their habitual nature; if left alone, they follow the same trails into ruts, graze hillsides into wastelands, and pollute their ground with disease and parasites. Thus, they must be continually led to fresh pasture, highlighting the vital role of the shepherd, who herds, guards, and cares for them. Scripture emphasizes this role, as seen in I Peter 5:1-2, where elders are exhorted to shepherd the flock of God willingly and eagerly, not for dishonest gain. I Peter 5:4 promises that when the Chief Shepherd, Jesus Christ, appears, they will receive an unfading crown of glory. Ephesians 4:11 notes that He Himself appointed some as pastors and teachers, with the term "pastor" translating to "shepherd" in the Greek, indicating a literal and figurative role. Acts 20:28-30 urges elders to oversee and shepherd the church of God, purchased with His blood, while warning of savage wolves who will infiltrate the flock, attempting to lead sheep astray with perverse teachings. In John 10:1-5, Jesus Christ teaches that the true shepherd enters by the door, and the sheep recognize his voice, following him as he calls them by name and leads them out. They will not follow a stranger, for they do not know the stranger's voice. This voice, derived from the Greek word "phone," signifies not just sound but a message or disclosure. The true shepherd's message is one that God's sheep will hear and follow, distinguishing it from false voices. I John 4:1, 5-6 instructs us to test the spirits to discern if they are of God, as many false prophets speak as of the world, and the world hears them. Those of God hear and understand the true shepherds, while those not of God do not. If the world understands a shepherd, that shepherd is of the world, revealing the spirit of error. God's sheep know the right path through the shepherd's message, as depicted in the parable of John 10, where the shepherd oversees the flock and leads them rightly. Finally, I Peter 2:25 reminds us that we were like sheep going astray but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of our souls, Jesus Christ. The voice of our Shepherd is not merely a sound but an understood message that guides us, separating us from the larger flock to follow Him.

Christians are often likened to sheep, with ministers serving as shepherds. Sheep naturally gather in flocks and follow a leader, allowing a single shepherd to manage many successfully. However, sheep need constant care due to their habitual nature; without guidance, they follow worn paths into ruts, overgraze fields into dust bowls, and contaminate pastures with disease and parasites. Thus, shepherds must continually guide them to fresh pastures. A shepherd is defined as one who herds, guards, and cares for sheep. In the spiritual sense, Jesus Christ, our Chief Shepherd, has appointed human shepherds to tend His flock. These shepherds are tasked with feeding the flock and protecting it from false shepherds or grievous wolves who seek to lead the sheep astray from God's truth, sometimes emerging from within the flock itself. Sheep recognize their true shepherd by his voice. When the shepherd calls, even amidst a mingled flock, his sheep hear and follow him, distinguishing his voice from that of strangers. This voice represents not just sound but a message of revelation and enlightenment. The true shepherd's message compels the sheep to follow immediately. To discern a true shepherd, the sheep must test the spirits and truly hear and understand the message. God's sheep will recognize the right path through the shepherd's guidance, as the shepherd oversees the flock, leading them out of enclosure and down paths of righteousness. With open ears, the sheep can hear the shepherd's voice, test the spirits, and respond correctly to follow the true path.