Wary of Deception From Within
(15) "Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. (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. (19) Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. (20) Thus you will recognize them by their fruits. (21) "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. (22) On that day many will say to me, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?' (23) And then will I declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.' (24) "Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. (25) And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. (26) And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. (27) And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it." [Mat 7:15-27 ESV]
Aware of the Threat
It is usually fairly simple to identify people who live in opposition or apathy toward Christ. These individuals and groups often make the headlines of Christian magazines and websites, but they do not pose the only (or perhaps even the greatest) threat to the Church.
Definition:
A “prophet” is a person appointed by God to speak for God.
A “false prophet” pretends to be a prophet, but really isn’t. A false prophet may truly believe that he or she is sent by God.
In this passage, Jesus warns us to be on the lookout for subversive forces within the body of Christ, representing themselves as the spokesmen of God. This warning goes beyond the fallibility of human nature. “Horizontal grace” between believers should take care of that. Jesus is referring to individuals who come into the “flock” of God’s people for the express purpose of consuming them for their own benefit. Here are some examples of how this can manifest itself:
- Manipulating a crowd for personal monetary gain.
- Recruiting members of one congregation to join another congregation.
- Discouraging the faith of believers.
- Providing “alternatives” to Biblical ministry or doctrine.
- Attempting to “buy” their way into ministry.
- Defying Godly leadership within the church.
- Teaching that Christianity is “one of many truths” in the world.
Jesus tells that we will “recognize them by their fruits”. A more contemporary way of saying the same thing is “if it walks like a duck, and talks like a duck, odds are, it’s a duck.”
Fruit of the True Ministry Gifts [Read Eph 4:11-16 ESV]
- What are the five ministry gifts?
- For what purpose were they given?
- When will their relevance end?
- What is the evidence of ministerial success?
The Big Surprise II
Last week we used this heading for the “religious lost” who will find themselves shut out of heaven someday. Jesus makes it clear that this will not just be a phenomenon of the rank and file of the Church. False prophets will find themselves in the same predicament.
The Dismal Defense
On that day many will say to me, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?'
They assume, it seems that the Lord will be impressed by the same things that impress men. On that day the Lord does argue with them about the validity of their claims. It is possible that they did the things that they claim to have done; yet, they were not Christ’s.
Jesus is not impressed with our sermons or miracles. His concern is whether or not we left the Body of Christ (the Church) in better shape than we found it. Were we contributors and participants or just in it for what we could get out of it? Did we leave damage in our wake as we passed through?
The Foundation Matters
We can spend a lifetime building our lives (and/or ministries) in Christ’s name, but if they are not founded on the gospel the will someday fall. The foundation of any life or work for the Lord is so critical. Regardless of apparent “success” that which is hidden from view, the foundation, is most important in eternity. Any work, any ministry, that is not founded upon the word of Jesus will not stand in eternity.
