Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles? Matthew 7:15-16

It is helpful for our understanding to recognize and consider the Sermon on the Mount as more than a random collection of sayings. The order encourages us to explore the relationship of one saying to another. Here we find a great example. It is as if Jesus anticipated our question, “Why do so few find the way to life?”

So many refuse the narrow gate and difficult path which leads to life because they have allowed false prophets to distract and deceive them. They have entertained wolves in sheep’s clothing and found their message to be less troublesome (i.e., a wide gate and broad way gospel).

False prophets have traditionally encouraged the people of God to take the broad way:

And the Lord said to me, “The prophets prophesy lies in My name. I have not sent them, commanded them, nor spoken to them; they prophesy to you a false vision, divination, a worthless thing, and the deceit of their heart. Jeremiah 14:14

Your prophets have seen for you
False and deceptive visions;
They have not uncovered your iniquity,
To bring back your captives,
But have envisioned for you false prophecies and delusions. Lamentations 2:14

Her prophets plastered them with untempered mortar, seeing false visions, and divining lies for them, saying, ‘Thus says the Lord God,’ when the Lord had not spoken. Ezekiel 22:28

Jesus warned that they would continue to plague His church – particularly near the end of the age.

Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations for My name’s sake. And then many will be offended, will betray one another, and will hate one another. Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many. And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold. But he who endures to the end shall be saved. (Matthew 24:11).

Furthermore, Peter relates them to false teachers “who will secretly bring in destructive heresies” (2Peter 2:1). Both false prophets and false teachers will lead many away from the kingdom.

These false prophets and teachers will come into the fellowship disguised and protected by a spirit of deception (2Thessalonians 2:9-12). They will be subtle; preying on those who are immature in the Lord, or isolated from the fellowship. They will create and use confusion and division to further their agendas.

Thankfully, Jesus has given us instruction for recognizing the ravenous wolves: By their fruit. This brings us to three conclusions.

First, prophets and teachers must be tested. This takes time. For their good, and the good of the fellowship, they should not be given prophet or teacher responsibilities until there is evidence of the Lord’s fruit in their lives. This may take years, but their patience and submission to authority will be an evidence of good fruit.

Second, the “fruit” Jesus mentions here comes in two forms: the fruit of the Spirit, and the fruit of ministry and multiplication. We will speak more on these in our next article. For our purposes here, we strongly suggest the following test: Do their words and actions encourage others to strive to enter through the narrow gate and challenge them to press on down the difficult way? Are they striving and pressing on, themselves?

Third, we must humbly recognize the possibility of being deceived, individually and corporately. Particularly in these days, church leadership must be on their guard and ready to take action. The aforementioned Thessalonians passage suggests that “a love of the truth” will be our greatest protection.

The love of the truth is active, and it must be developed. There is a desire for it in every Christian’s heart. Ask God to stir it up in you; and then respond to His encouragement.

Let me know how I can help.

Humbly yours and forever His,

Rob

#iamjustthepen