![]() ![]() But they will be looking for personal gain at the expense of the sheep. The false prophets Jesus warns us about will not be looking to literally eat us. A wolf among the sheep is looking to satisfy their own appetite, caring nothing for the sheep themselves. And it is not for the benefit of the sheep. Wolves have only one purpose in hanging out with the sheep. And, if that analogy is true here as well, then he is telling us that these false prophets would come to us, claiming to belong to Jesus. He is the good shepherd and we are his sheep. And when he does, he is referring to those who are his. ![]() Jesus talks about sheep some, especially in the gospel of John. And the example he uses is a wolf that is dressed up like a sheep. Rather they are disguised in a more appealing form. Jesus makes it clear that these false prophets don’t come announcing that they are false prophets. These also are false prophets, and Jesus’ warning in this passage is just as applicable to them. But all too many of these self-proclaimed prophets are simply taking advantage of people for their own gain. They claim to be in a position of authority and speak on behalf of God. Many today bear the title of prophet, or something similar. Giving him contrary advice was not conducive to long term employment. And in a way, that is understandable because they were supported by the king. Rather they told the king what he wanted to hear ( 1 Kings 22:1-28). But it seems the guidance most of these ‘court prophets’ gave was not from God. In the Old Testament, prophets often served in an advisory capacity to the king. But more commonly they addressed current events, usually to correct a people who had gone astray from their covenant relationship with God. In the Scripture, a prophet is someone who claims to speak for God, relaying a message from God to the people. Matthew 7:15-20 NIV Watch Out for False Prophets Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. The Seven Churches of Revelation Studies. ![]() By their holy conduct, they are to set a good example for God’s chosen people (4:12). They must not preach and practice envy or divide over minor matters (1 Tim. Those whom the Father calls to shepherd His flock must not live in debauchery (2 Peter 2). This does not mean moral perfection, but general conformity to Christ. Good fruit also includes purity of character and life. John Calvin comments, “All doctrines must be brought to the Word of God as the standard, and that, in judging of false prophets, the rule of faith holds the chief place.” ![]() True teachers never knowingly reject Scripture’s clear teaching (Gal. 20), and follow Christ wholeheartedly (6:19–24). 13–16), recognize our inability to keep God’s law under our own power (v. Therefore, teachers who exhort us to live out Jesus’ rules for kingdom life bear good fruit. Yet the prophetic responsibility to explain God’s Word to the people remains, and teachers are obligated, like the prophets, to preach true doctrine (Deut. 2:19–21), no one today exercises the gift of prophecy as the prophets and apostles of old did. Since the church’s foundation has been laid (Eph. Likewise, we must examine the fruits our teachers’ produce in order to determine the nature of the source from which they come (vv. However, a close inspection of both these fruits reveals them for what they really are - things unfit for consumption. Some buckthorn bushes in Palestine produce black berries that look like grapes from a distance, and certain thistles have flowers that appear to be figs. Recognizing prophetic impostors is not always easy, but Jesus says the fruit of their teaching helps us evaluate our instructors (vv. Otherwise, false prophets will lead us to destruction. Being able to distinguish these teachers from one another is vital if we want to promote our spiritual well-being. Just as there are two ways, one of salvation and another of damnation, so too are there only two kinds of teachers: true ones and false ones. 7:13–14), Jesus warns us to beware of false prophets in today’s passage (vv. Following His call for us to pursue the narrow way that leads to salvation (Matt. ![]()
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