Matthew 7:15-20
What is a prophet? What does a prophet do?
How do you know if I am a true teacher of the gospel or someone who is false, teaching or preaching for my own benefit?
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 thorn bushes, 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.”
BACKGROUND
Most people think a prophet was someone who performed miracles or foretold the future. Elijah and Elisha are two examples of prophets who performed miracles. But that was not their main function.
A prophet is someone who, called by God, proclaims truth to a people, even to the king. This includes prophecy, the declaration about something to happen in the future. The major prophets in the Old Testament, Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel all proclaimed messages about the future, calling people to repentance and covenant faithfulness. Essentially, most prophets had a two-fold ministry; they did foretelling and forth-telling. Foretelling revealed future judgments and the coming of redemption. Forth-telling was to urge repentance in their message, drawing people into a fuller relationship with God through covenant faithfulness.
At the same time there were also false prophets.
What do false prophets do?
False prophets were motivated by status, money, and power. True prophets cared for none of these things.
Here are seven signs of a false prophet:
- A false prophet’s words contradict the plain meaning of scripture.
- A false prophet changes the plain meaning of scripture or adds to scripture with his or her own “authoritative” writings.
- A false prophet’s teachings contradict those of the church at large and through history.
- Just like a narcissist, false prophets are unable to grasp the truth even when confronted with it.
- False prophets are hyper-exclusive with the claims of Christ.
- Like a narcissist, false prophets don’t take responsibility when their words or agenda fails.
- A false prophet’s movement or organization is often gathered around one personality who becomes the defacto authority on God’s revelation.
“In the Bible, false prophets fell into three general categories:
- Those who worshiped false gods and served idols;
- Those who falsely claimed to receive messages from the Lord;
- Those who wandered from the truth and ceased to be true prophets. (1)
EXAMINATION
(V.15) “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves.”
This is the third time in the Sermon on the Mount that Jesus refers to false people as an animal. First it was dogs and pigs, now it is a wolf. Unlike dogs and pigs, wolves are hunters, looking for victims. So is true also of false prophets. They look to deceive and devour.
When false prophets arise they seem at first to be genuine believers. But as time goes by it becomes more apparent that their teachings are false.
I was once part of a Bible study where one of our members, after some time, began to say that it was okay, even valuable to practice some things from Wicca (witchcraft). He talked about how it brought him benefits. I confronted him with scripture in front of the class. There was a debate then we all left. He never came back to our class again.
This is one of the things about false prophets and teachers we should keep in mind. They always speak about positive things. They never speak condemningly except to those who oppose them. Notice these false prophets from the Old Testament:
- Jeremiah proclaimed doom to Judah because of the Babylonian army. But false prophets around the king were proclaiming peace (Jeremiah 7:10-15).
- Amos proclaimed doom to Israel, but a false priest named Amaziah falsely accused Amos of conspiring with Israel’s enemies (Amos 10:7-13).
- False prophets were leading Israel astray, saying “peace, peace when there is no peace,” but Ezekiel condemned them (Ezekiel 13).
False prophets routinely proclaimed peace and blessing even in the midst of doom. Real prophets proclaimed repentance and covenant faithfulness. We have popular preachers today who always proclaim good things but never talk about repentance. These false teachers usually make a lot of money.
False “teachers refused to submit their lifestyles to the scrutiny of Scripture, but instead twisted the Scriptures in order to condone their sinful lifestyles.” (2)
(V.16) “You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thorn bushes or figs from thistles?”
What are the fruits of false prophets or teachers?
They encourage people with false religion. Mormonism and Jehovah Witnesses are two modern examples. These false religions redefine key biblical doctrines away from orthodoxy. They have founding leaders or additional writings that turn people away from Christ, or to their own version of Christ. For instance, Mormonism teaches that Jesus is the spirit brother of Lucifer. The Watchtower holds that Jesus is really the archangel Michael. Islam teaches that Jesus was not crucified and never raised from the dead.
It’s interesting that Jesus refers to them as thorns and thistles. Both of these are painful if touched or handled. So too, the teachings of a false prophet or teacher cause great harm, especially spiritual harm.
I once was meeting with a small group of Jehovah’s Witnesses who were trying hard to convert me. At one point the older lady in the group said, “So you’re telling me that my husband who just died is in hell?” She started to grasp the truth, but in grief, she turned away and the group let themselves out.
We can only recognize false prophets or teachers if we are familiar with scripture so that we can discern truth from error. If we don’t know what the Bible teaches then we won’t know how to discern and confront error.
(V.17) “So, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit.”
Why do you think people are often drawn to false prophets, even when there are warning signs?
What is good fruit and what is bad fruit? The apostle Paul may shed some light on this when he talked about the fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5:22-23, “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.” False teachers can imitate these behaviors, but eventually they will be found out.
There is also the fruit of bad teaching. Moses portrayed what a false prophet looks like, what their fruit is. In Deuteronomy 18:20-22 Moses says, “If any prophet dares to speak a message in My name that I have not commanded him to speak, or to speak in the name of other gods, that prophet must be put to death. You may ask in your heart, ‘How can we recognize a message that the LORD has not spoken?’ When a prophet speaks in the name of the LORD and the message does not come to pass or come true, that is a message the LORD has not spoken.”
We can only discern a false prophet by being people of the book, by knowing the word of God. Then we can know truth from error.
(V.18) “A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit.”
It is not in the nature of the false prophet or teacher to teach truth. He always teaches deception.
Commentator Michael Green notes that false prophets, even false Christians have “arrogance that alienates; an externalism that does not touch the heart; a separation between religion and life; a faith that makes no demands, or that consists in legalism; a religion that takes refuge in charismatic jargon about prophecy, or miraculous healings, or the driving out of demons, but may not even really know Jesus, and does not really do the will of the Heavenly Father.” (3)
(V.19) “Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.”
Jesus issues a stern warning about false prophets and teachers. The end result of their lives is to perish forever with no hope of heaven. This is actually tied to Jesus’ next teaching on those who never really knew him, but we will tackle that passage next week.
(V.20) “Thus you will recognize them by their fruits.”
With a little time and paying attention a false prophet or teacher will become apparent. Remember what James said, submit to God and resist the devil and he will flee (James 4:7). Just like the man I confronted about witchcraft never returned, so too, eventually, a false teacher will flee when they learn that aren’t believed.
There are many false teachers that persist today. Prosperity gospel teachers on TV are one such example. In their case it’s the money that keeps them going. But by knowing the scriptures you can recognize them for what they really are and avoid them.
Remember the signs of a false prophet we began with. If you know these principles you will guard your heart from what is false. Let me repeat them.
- A false prophet’s words contradict the plain meaning of scripture.
- A false prophet changes the plain meaning of scripture or adds to scripture with his or her own “authoritative” writings.
- A false prophet’s teachings contradict those of the church at large and through history.
- Just like a narcissist, false prophets are unable to grasp the truth even when confronted with it.
- False prophets are hyper-exclusive with the claims of Christ.
- Like a narcissist, false prophets don’t take responsibility when their words or agenda fails.
- A false prophet’s movement or organization is often gathered around one personality who becomes the defacto authority on God’s revelation.
INTERPRETATION
What was Jesus’ big idea for this passage?
There will always be false prophets or false teachers within the church; make yourself familiar with scripture to protect yourself and others.
Jesus warned of false teachers to come. In Mark 13:22 Jesus said, “False christs and false prophets will arise and perform signs and wonders, to lead astray, if possible, the elect.”
Paul, in fact, told us that false teachers would come. In Acts 20:29 Paul said, “I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock.”
Peter issued a similar warning in II Peter 2:1, “There will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies.”
John told us how to spot false teachers. In I John 4:1 he said, “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.”
How do we test for heresy?
First, know the word of God. The better you know the scripture and its doctrines the easier it will be to recognize what is false. Second, consider the characteristics of false teachers I shard with you. Once you know these things you will be properly guarded when deception comes your way.
APPLICATION
1. Be Spiritually Discerning
False prophets can be deceptive, appearing outwardly harmless but inwardly destructive. Ask God for discernment to recognize and resist false teachings. Evaluate what you hear against Scripture.
2. Examine the Fruits of Leadership
A person’s true character is revealed through their actions and the outcomes of their life. Assess spiritual leaders and influences not by their words alone but by the fruit of their ministry: Does it align with God’s Word and produce righteousness?
3. Guard Your Heart and Mind
False teachings can lead to spiritual harm if not identified. Stay rooted in God’s Word and prayer to guard yourself against deception. Regularly study Scripture to develop a biblical foundation for recognizing truth.
4. Check Your Own Life for Fruit
Just as we evaluate other’s fruit, we should also examine our own lives. Are we producing good fruit that reflects Christ’s love, kindness, and obedience to God? Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal areas for growth.
5. Be a Healthy Tree
Healthy trees bear good fruit. Stay connected to Christ, the true vine (John 15:5), by maintaining a vibrant relationship with Him. Obedience to God’s Word and reliance on the Holy Spirit will result in godly fruit.
6. Stand Firm in the Gospel
False prophets often distort or undermine the gospel. Familiarize yourself with the gospel’s core truths and stand firm in them so you can discern and reject anything that contradicts God’s message.
7. Be Prepared to Confront False Teachings
When you encounter false teachings or harmful influences, speak the truth in love. Equip yourself to lovingly point others back to Scripture and the gospel of Christ.
8. Consider the Eternal Consequences
Jesus warns that those who do not bear good fruit will face judgment. Reflect on the urgency of living a Christ-centered life and sharing the gospel with others to help them avoid spiritual destruction.
By applying these points, you can grow in your faith, protect yourself and others from spiritual deception, and live in a way that honors God.
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- Youngblood, Ronald F., F. F. Bruce, and R. K. Harrison, Thomas Nelson Publishers, eds. 1995. In Nelson’s New Illustrated Bible Dictionary. Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, Inc.
- Walls, David, and Max Anders. 1999. I & II Peter, I, II & III John, Jude. Vol. 11. Holman New Testament Commentary. Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers.
- Green, Michael. 2001. The Message of Matthew: The Kingdom of Heaven. The Bible Speaks Today. Leicester, England; Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.
