Anchor My Faith

False Prophets

Scripture: Matthew 7:15-16; Luke 6:44

In the previous lesson we looked at two gates; the narrow gate that led to eternal life and the wide gate that led to eternal destruction. In this lesson we will focus on false prophets. Jesus continues his teaching by saying: ^{Mt 7:15} “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. 16 You will recognize them by their fruits, ^{Lk 6:44} for each tree is known by its own fruit. ^{Mt 7:16} Are grapes gathered from thorn bushes, or figs from thistles?”

Jesus was telling his disciples to be wisely discerning when those professing to be prophets come into their midst. They are to carefully look at their lives and the results of their influence on others and look at their fruits to see if what they are doing and saying is consistent with the kingdom life of righteousness.

Originally the word prophet meant one who foretold future events. They were commonly regarded as public instructors on religious topics, but in time the word prophet came to denote all who were religious teachers. It is probably this sense that Jesus is using the word. A false prophet would then be a teacher of incorrect doctrine. Today, these would be religious teachers who teach about salvation apart from the sacrifice, death and resurrection of Jesus. One cannot produce spiritual birth through good works; only God the Father can cause us to be born spiritually. Anyone teaching otherwise would be a false prophet.

Those false prophets may come wearing sheep’s clothing. The sheep is an emblem of innocence, sincerity, and harmlessness and so to come dressed in that way is to give the appearance of sanctity and innocence, when the heart is actually evil. These prophets may be dressed as sheep, but they have a heart of a ravenous wolf who seek to devour. As false teachers, they assumed the appearance of holiness in order that they might get more property from the people. As wolves, they were teachers who practiced extortion to gain excess for themselves.

Look carefully at the fruit produced by their lives. When you look at a fruit tree, you don’t judge it by its bark, or leaves, or blossoms, but by the fruit it produces. The bark might have a nice appearance, the foliage thick and green, and its blossoms beautiful and fragrant, but it is the fruit that is important and gives value to the tree. It is by this fruit that a tree is known and it by the fruit of a prophet that they are known. You don’t gather grapes from thorn bushes or figs from thistles, and you don’t hear the whole truth from false prophets. These may present just enough truth to hold one’s attention, but the intention is to take as much from you as possible, even to draw you away from seeking salvation in the blood of Jesus.

Prayer

Father, today so many pastors and teachers attempt to be political correct and as a result they speak with so little power that they have little positive spiritual effect on the lives of their hearers. In very few places is the full gospel taught. It is taught to maximize the offering, not to spiritually impact lives for God’s kingdom. Father, help us carefully select whose instruction we sit under.