Matthew 7:15-20
Relax, Read and Reflect
Prayer, Lord, Open our hearts and open our minds and help us learn. Go-Fight-Win. Amen.
A Tree and Its Fruit
15"Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. 16By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? 17Likewise every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. 18A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. 19Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.
Jesus is getting revolutionary now. In His day false prophets were common. They told the people what they wanted to hear, as long as they were paid to do so. The words may have been what the people wanted, but the words were not bringing the people closer to God.
Have things changed? Not really. We all know of instances of false prophets. Some are cult leaders who brainwash their followers that the leaders are the new Messiah, sometimes leading their followers to tragic results. Some may be very flamboyant and charismatic people who bring a very thin message, but have a very thick bank statement.
So how can we tell who are false prophets? By the fruit they bear. Good trees bear good fruit. Bad trees are cut down and thrown into the fire. How do we taste the fruit to see if it is good? Do so through prayer and guidance from God. Look at what they say. If what they say is supported by God’s word, (all of it, not bits and pieces,) and people are truly coming to God, the fruit is good. If their word is designed to promote them and an agenda, they may be firewood.
Prayer- Lord, help us discern what is from You from what is for the world. Give us wisdom and courage. Go-Fight-Win. Amen.
Viva Jesus!
Prayer, Lord, Open our hearts and open our minds and help us learn. Go-Fight-Win. Amen.
A Tree and Its Fruit
15"Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. 16By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? 17Likewise every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. 18A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. 19Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.
Jesus is getting revolutionary now. In His day false prophets were common. They told the people what they wanted to hear, as long as they were paid to do so. The words may have been what the people wanted, but the words were not bringing the people closer to God.
Have things changed? Not really. We all know of instances of false prophets. Some are cult leaders who brainwash their followers that the leaders are the new Messiah, sometimes leading their followers to tragic results. Some may be very flamboyant and charismatic people who bring a very thin message, but have a very thick bank statement.
So how can we tell who are false prophets? By the fruit they bear. Good trees bear good fruit. Bad trees are cut down and thrown into the fire. How do we taste the fruit to see if it is good? Do so through prayer and guidance from God. Look at what they say. If what they say is supported by God’s word, (all of it, not bits and pieces,) and people are truly coming to God, the fruit is good. If their word is designed to promote them and an agenda, they may be firewood.
Prayer- Lord, help us discern what is from You from what is for the world. Give us wisdom and courage. Go-Fight-Win. Amen.
Viva Jesus!
posted by Steve Killam TMTL | 6:23 AM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home