Pastor Alex Sands, Kingdom Life Church

Series: The King and His Kingdom (Gospel of Matthew) / Matthew 7:15–20

May 30, 2021

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.

Beware -  to fix the mind or the ear towards something or someone.

                            is necessary because false prophets will always be among us, using                             means to infiltrate the church and do  damage from within.

11 And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray.

29 I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; 30 and from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them.

1 Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world.

Jesus                                we will be able to recognize false prophets “by their fruit,” meaning by their                       .

Fruit is evidence of:

1.                          (7:16) – Just as a tree can be identified by its fruit, false prophets can be identified by their actions.

12 These are hidden reefs at your love feasts, as they feast with you without fear, shepherds feeding themselves; waterless clouds, swept along by winds; fruitless trees in late autumn, twice dead, uprooted;

2.                    (7:17-18) – just as a tree can be the right type but unhealthy and bear bad fruit, false prophets can have correct                          but still be spiritually unhealthy and dangerous.

•       Evaluate what’s being said, but more importantly what’s not                             .

The “heart” of the matter: false prophets are motivated by                         , and an                                heart will always manifest itself in ungodly behavior.

17 I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them. 18 For such persons do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites, and by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive.

2 And many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of truth will be blasphemed. 3 And in their greed they will exploit you with false words. Their condemnation from long ago is not idle, and their destruction is not asleep.

18 For, speaking loud boasts of folly, they entice by sensual passions of the flesh those who are barely escaping from those who live in error. 19 They promise them freedom, but they themselves are slaves of corruption. For whatever overcomes a person, to that he is enslaved.

One important caveat: although the fruit test is always reliable,  it’s not always                 or             . Don’t make                 judgments.

A special warning for spiritually mature, theologically sound Christians: false prophets are coming for your                , not your             . So guard your                !