Matthew 7:15-20 True and False Prophets
15 “Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. 16 By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? 17 Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.
Fakery is as old as the human race. When Cain murdered Abel, he tried to lie to God about it, even though God already knew all the details. The showman P.T. Barnum used to say that “There’s a sucker born every minute,” and he once got people to leave his show promptly by posting a sign stating “This way to the Egress,” egress meaning exit. A more modern saying tells us that if something appears to be too good to be true, it probably is just that. But yet, people desperately want to believe in fakery, as long as the fakery confirms what they already want to believe in the first place. And that’s where wolves in sheep’s clothing get their opportunity.
True pathologic liars can convince you that black is white and charm the birds right off the trees. Many of us are highly susceptible to such liars because they tell us what we already want to believe anyway. We are particularly open to deceit if we are straying away from the will of God and hope for someone or something to support our poor thinking.
James 1:13-15 says, “When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.”
16 By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? 17 Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.
I have worked for years in the medical profession, where egos can sometimes be gigantic. But some of the greatest surgeons I have known are those who have remained humble throughout their careers, recognizing that there is always more to learn and encouraging younger surgeons so that they will achieve even greater things in the future. Those who are truly giants in the field are the ones who try to raise others to even greater heights.
Sadly, I have also encountered toxic personalities, individuals who have tried to build themselves up by tearing others down. In the end, these people leave only a legacy of hurt. The same thing can happen on the mission field. Generally, local people will have a party for anyone going on retirement; however, in at least one instance, the local people waited until the missionary had left and then celebrated because he was gone!
True and False Disciples
21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ 23 Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’”
What’s Jesus talking about here? If these people have been prophesying and casting out demons and doing miracles in His name, why won’t they make it into the Kingdom of Heaven? God has used these people to help innocent sufferers who want to hear from him or be free from demons or be delivered miraculously. Because God is merciful, He has allowed His grace to flow through these people because those coming to them truly believe. God is honoring the faith of the supplicants; however, the false disciples are simply using Jesus’ name as a charm. They themselves are faithless, employing Jesus’ name only to gain wealth or fame.
What about evangelists such as Oral Roberts or Katherine Kuhlman, who prophesied, cast out demons, and did miracles? These people and others like them are true disciples. Sometimes people attending a miracle service with Roberts or Kuhlman never even made it into the services but were healed as they approached. Make no mistake! God knows human hearts and God rewards those who truly honor Him. One of our friends once had the chance to ask Reverend Roberts what his ministry had cost him. Roberts was quite blunt, telling our friend that he had virtually no social life because his ministry required long hours of prayer and meditation so that he could be a channel of God’s love.
Want God’s approval? Remember Jesus’ teachings earlier: Seek God’s will. Keep knocking, keep seeking. And you will find God’s will and favor.
PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and caring for us. Lord, help us to seek You, not being confused by wolves in sheep’s clothing or by false prophets. Let us love You each day more than the day before. In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.
Leave a Reply