In his book Life on the Edge, James Dobson reports on a documentary he once saw. It followed the life of a sheep! The sheep's life ended in the "slaughterhouse", where a "Judas goat" is used. A Judas goat is a specially trained goat that leads the herd of sheep up the ramp that leads into the slaughterhouse. Step by step the Judas goat leads on, stopping every few steps to look back at the sheep to make sure they're following. Once one sheep starts following the rest do the same, as their herd mentality leads them to their death.
Application - Leadership: People often behave just like those sheep. We like the security of knowing that we're headed the same way as everyone else. This makes it imperative for Christian leaders to diligently own their responsibility to lead people in a positive direction, to make sure they are not becoming a "Judas" goat.
Application - Peer Group Pressure, Choices, Popularity: People often behave just like those sheep. We like the security of knowing that we're headed the same way as everyone else. However we need to beware that we are not joining the herd in following a "Judas goat". Christians need to be discerning and willing to make choices that "cut us off from the herd" yet do so to yield true life.
Application - Life Direction, Matthew 7.13-14, judgement. Jesus warned us about following "the broad road that leads to destruction." This is akin to joining the herd in following the "Judas goat".
Source: Reported in Dr. James Dobson. Life on the Edge (Dallas: Word Publishing, 1995), 24-25.