Sheep and Goat: The Humble Path Versus the Path of Pride

By Franklin Omolaja

In the Bible, the sheep symbolizes believers, embodying humility and a profound reliance on God. Sheep are gentle creatures that cannot navigate without the shepherd’s guidance. This dependency on a shepherd mirrors the life of a believer who fully trusts in the direction and care of God. Jesus Christ Himself describes His role as our Shepherd, and we, His followers, are likened to sheep. In John 10:11, 14-15, Jesus declares, “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep… I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.”

This metaphor illustrates the bond between the believer and God—a bond rooted in trust, surrender, and complete dependence. Without the Shepherd, sheep are lost, vulnerable to dangers, unable to find their way. As believers, this is a powerful image of how we should live, knowing that without God’s guidance, we cannot achieve anything meaningful or lasting.

In Psalm 23, one of the most beloved and quoted passages of scripture, David expresses this same thought: “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.” The imagery is comforting and beautiful, portraying how God provides for all our needs, leading us beside still waters and restoring our souls. These verses show that reliance on God is not only a matter of faith but a posture of humility, knowing that we, like sheep, are incapable of navigating life’s challenges without His intervention.

One of the most striking parables in the Bible is Jesus’ story of the shepherd who left the ninety-nine sheep to find the one that was lost. This shows us God’s heart, His deep care for each of us individually, and the lengths He will go to restore us to His fold. As believers, this parable reminds us that we must embrace our identity as sheep—dependent on God and led by His wisdom. This is where true humility comes in, for it is a recognition that we are nothing without Him.

In contrast, modern culture has popularized the term “GOAT,” an acronym for “Greatest of All Time.” While it may seem harmless, this term can lead us down a dangerous path of self-exaltation and idolatry. The Bible warns us in Exodus 20:3, “Thou shalt have no other gods before me.” Our God is a jealous God, and He demands our full devotion. When we refer to someone as the “Greatest of All Time,” whether it be a celebrity, an athlete, or even ourselves, we are at risk of elevating human figures to a place of near-worship.

The danger lies in how society uses terms like “idol” to describe celebrities, subtly feeding into the idea of placing others or ourselves above God. This culture of self-glorification is contrary to biblical teachings. God commands us not to bow down to any idol or image, whether physical or symbolic. As believers, we must be mindful of how easily these cultural terms and trends can conflict with the truth of God’s Word.

At the core of the term GOAT is pride. Pride is a dangerous force that leads us away from God. Proverbs 16:18 warns, “Pride goeth before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.” When we embrace the GOAT mentality—whether in reference to ourselves or others—we run the risk of edging God out of our lives. This is why EGO can be seen as “Edging God Out.” Pride leads us to believe in our self-sufficiency, the very same sin that led to Lucifer’s downfall when he sought to exalt himself above God.

This is where the Bible provides an alternative. God consistently refers to us as His children. As it says in 1 John 4:4, “Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.” This is a powerful reminder of the authority and protection we have as God’s children. He, the Shepherd, lives within us, guiding, protecting, and empowering us. The greatness of God, who dwells within us, far exceeds anything that the world can offer or threaten us with.

God addresses us as His children because He is not only our Shepherd but also our Father. Just as children rely on their parents for care, provision, and guidance, we too rely on God. His fatherly love sustains us, and His role as our Shepherd leads us through life’s uncertainties. This relationship between Father and Shepherd reveals a deep intimacy—one where we are guided and protected, but also loved and nurtured unconditionally.

Even in the darker aspects of culture, such as the image of the goat associated with Baphomet, there is a clear message that pride and rebellion are at the heart of the enemy’s tactics. The devil uses the allure of pride and self-worship to lure people away from God, and as believers, we must remain vigilant. Paul reminds us in 2 Corinthians 2:11, “Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.” The enemy’s methods may evolve, but the underlying goal remains the same: to draw us into self-exaltation, turning our hearts away from the true Shepherd.

As believers, we need to remember Paul’s words in 1 Corinthians 10:23: “All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient.” Just because something is trendy doesn’t mean it aligns with the Word of God. Whether it’s the use of “GOAT” or terms like “Pride,” which the LGBTQ+ community has adopted, we must discern what is edifying. Pride, in all its forms, is condemned by God, and the Bible clearly states, “God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble” (James 4:6).

Ultimately, the life of a believer is one of humility. We are sheep in need of our Shepherd, acknowledging that without God, we are lost. As Philippians 4:13 says, “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” Our strength, success, and purpose all come from Him, not from our own abilities or accolades. The power that lives within us—God Himself—is far greater than anything the world offers, and this truth must define our lives. As it is written in 1 John 4:4, “Greater is He that is in me than he that is in the world.” This emphasizes that the God who lives in us is truly the greatest. He alone deserves the title of “Greatest of All Time.”

In total conclusion, let us not be ignorant of the enemy’s devices. The devil is crafty, using seemingly harmless trends to draw us away from God. But as believers, we know that true greatness belongs to God alone. “Greater is He that is in us than he that is in the world” (1 John 4:4). We must reject the culture of self-glorification and embrace our role as sheep who are guided, loved, and protected by the only true Shepherd.

So, brethren, I choose to be a humble sheep with a Shepherd, knowing that I am nothing without God, rather than claim the title of GOAT, which stands for ego and pride. The Lord is my Shepherd, and I am not a goat. God is the only Greatest, and without Him, we are nothing.

Written by Franklin Omolaja