August 12, 2025
False Prophets- Part 2
Matthew 7:16-18
08/12/2025
16 You will recognize them by their fruits. Are
grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from
thistles?
17 So, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the
diseased tree bears bad fruit.
18 A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a
diseased tree bear good fruit. (ESV)
Jesus told His disciples: ``Beware of false prophets, who
come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous
wolves.'' How do we recognize these false teachers who come to
us in the name of Jesus? There certainly are signs which help us
recognize those who pervert the good news of salvation from sin
and death by God's rich love alone for the sake of the death and
resurrection of Jesus.
There are only two ways to look at obtaining eternal life,
of receiving the reward of heaven. The first is to perfectly
keep God's Law in every respect, to earn the right to live in
eternal paradise. That is unobtainable, but that is the message
of most religions. The second is to rely completely on God's
rich grace, love, and mercy. This is the true teaching of Christ
Jesus, that God sent His Son to pay the price of our sin.
Jesus continued:
You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes
gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? So,
every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased
tree bears bad fruit. A healthy tree cannot bear bad
fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit.
If the teacher, if the pastor, insists on certain actions
for you to be saved from the guilt of your sin, that is a false
preacher. The fruits of teaching about works is despair and
hopelessness. Following the rules doesn't help, because we know
we cannot reach the standard of perfection the Law demands.
May our Lord grant us wisdom to recognize the fruits of
false teaching so that we may hold firmly to the truth of God's
grace. Amen.