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Seeing Through False Prophets

Text: Matthew 7: 12 - 29

One of the reasons why false prophets succeed so well is because so few knew how to see through them! It was not enough that Jesus exposed false teachings and false teachers when He encountered them. It was important that His disciples learn how to see through false prophets on their own.

The problem of false teachings and false prophets has not gone away. That same problem exists today! It is therefore worth our while to study how we can have eyes that will enable us to discern false teachings and false prophets.

“You will know them by their fruits. Do
men gather grapes from thornbushes or
figs from thistles?”
Matthew 7:16

What was the thrust of what Jesus said here? Was He saying that it was possible to have keen discernment? Was He saying that it was not all that difficult to see through false prophets? The answer is “YES!”

“You will know…”

In order to spot false teachers, of course you must have knowledge! It is not impossible to have this knowledge! If the disciples were to pay close attention to the teachings of Jesus, they would soon acquire this knowledge and skill that would enable them to see through people who attempt to disguise themselves as prophets. One can be trained in such a way, and to such an extent, that one could pick out a false prophet no matter how he tries to disguise himself.

“Do men gather grapes from thornbushes?”

Jesus was making reference to any variety of shrubs that bore prickly thorns! Israel had both vineyards and thornbushes! Nobody could mistake one for the other! Jesus was urging His disciples to believe that they could learn how to tell false prophets as easily as they could discern between grapevines and thornbushes!

The fig tree was one of the national trees found all over Israel. Thistles may be compared to thornbushes. How could anyone think that fig trees and thistles are the same? Do people go out to gather figs from thistles? Of course not! Nobody could be that foolish! In the same way, a well-trained disciple need not fear any false prophet. He would be able to spot the false prophet easily!

IMPORTANT LESSONS TO MASTER

If false prophets were going to prove a threat, how should one respond? Surely, the heart must be stirred to consider mastering the deep and important lessons that Jesus taught.

“Even so, every good tree bears good
fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A
good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor
can a bad tree bear good fruit. Every
tree that does not bear good fruit is
cut down and thrown into the fire.
Therefore by their fruits you will know them.”
Matthew 7:17-20

1. The question of “fruit”

The illustration of Jesus may seem simple, but there are deep lessons that must be thought through.

a) Don’t focus on the roots

A tree has a deep root system. Most roots are beneath the surface. It would be difficult to trace its roots. Jesus did not advice tracing the roots of false prophets.

b) Don’t be fooled by the foliage

Some trees exhibit rich foliage. These can be very beautiful. It is important that one does not focus on foliage. Some point to good foliage as proof of spiritual health. A well-crafted statement of faith may look like healthy foliage. But well-written statements of faith may tell you nothing!

c) Do look for fruits

The real test, the only real test, is the fruit! What kind of fruit would the tree bear? It is important that we look at the fruit as the most important test!

i) It takes time before a tree yields its fruit. Be patient!

ii) Look at the fruit yield of the tree. Examine the fruit thoroughly. You cannot fake good fruit!

2. A solemn word of warning

Jesus gave a solemn word of caution to all would-be disciples! Anyone who thinks that he can “get away” though he practices falsehood had better think again! Ultimately, all must answer to God. No one could fool Him! A bad tree would be thrown into the fire in the final analysis!

3. A Challenge to Bear Good Fruit

What would a careful and thoughtful disciple have learned as he heard these words of Jesus? Let us be challenged to ponder these thoughts!

a) An examination of his life

Surely the heart must examine itself carefully! Was there fruit in one’s life? If not, what should one do next?

b) A desire to bear fruit

Who does not desire to bear fruit? Everyone who speaks of true faith in the Lord must desire to bring forth much fruit!