Matthew 7:15-17
“Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits. Grapes are not gathered from thorn bushes, nor figs from thistles, are they? So every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit.”
There are false prophets. Our last entry we addressed the concept of the road being narrow and few find it. The flip side is that the wrong road is broad and many go that way. All of those on the wrong road are wrong. Their philosophy is wrong. We aren’t to listen to them in matters of faith.
Jesus says they are ravenous wolves on the inside. Which means on the outside they may look great. 2 Corinthians 11:14 says, “And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light.” Some may know it, but many aren’t aware that they are wrong. They are deceived. Yet they are wolves.
We are to judge them by their fruits. The ones in my mind are legalistic. Their other parts seem fine, almost admirable. They are working for their salvation. Much of their vocabulary is right, but their definitions are wrong. They have learned to polish it up so it deceives christians.
We need to be humble with our eyes open, as we can be fooled. I Corinthians 10:12 says, “So the one who thinks he is standing firm should be careful not to fall.” Be aware of pride, as it blinds. If we are confident we are right, in a prideful way, be careful. We need to trust God completely knowing we could fall.
We need to stay in God’s Word. It keeps us sharp. Being there keeps us clear with His message and it keeps us dependent on Him. Psalm 119:9 says, “How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to Your word.”
We also are to stay with Him. John 15:4 says, “Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch is not able to bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, so neither you, unless you abide in Me.” This has to do with listening, depending and obeying. It takes more than reading and believing. We have to obey. The chorus of the hymn Trust and Obey says, “Trust and obey, for there’s no other way to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.”
Thank You, Lord, for this warning. Keep us in Your Way and keep us in Your Word. Keep us humble and abiding in You.