Matthew 7:15-20 / Luke 6:43-45…
Wolves in sheep’s clothing…
Jesus warns us that the devil dresses false prophets in the designer clothes of deception. False teachers seem innocent and devoted, but they are insatiable and devouring (2 Peter 2:1-3, 14-19). They are not discerned by outward appearance and attitude (2 Corinthians 11:13-15). What they speak resonates with the world’s way of religion but not the Apostle’s doctrine (Jeremiah 6:14 / 1 John 4:5-6). We are always to be on the lookout for them (Acts 20:28-31).
Jesus tells us that we can know who they are by the effects. The fruit reveals the root. When the tree is shaken the fruit falls down, when the fruit is used for food the juice flows. Through the pressures and pleasures of life whatever is filling the heart will come spilling out. Doctrine instructs devotion and leads to demonstration.
This goes for those who teach as well as those who are taught. We can be deceived ourselves, not knowing we are wolves. What is truly in the heart will evidence itself, sooner or later, either the greed, immorality, and thirst for power and control, or the goodness, purity, and humility (1 Timothy 5:24-25). This fruit is the inevitable result of who we are.
We are not to judge hypocritically, but in our desire to do things rightly, we must be careful not to let the pendulum swing too far, from overly critical to overly casual. We cannot judge a person’s soul, but we can keep them from peddling rotten fruit in our assemblies.
Are you a false prophet, as in living a false profession? If there is venom on your lips there is poison in your heart. Your true values will be voiced, viewed, and verified by your life.
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