Today’s reading is Matthew 7:15-20
[15] Beware of false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. [16] By their fruit you will recognize them.
Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? [17] Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. [18] A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. [19] Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. [20] So then, by their fruit you will recognize them.
This reading calls us to “Test the Prophets.”
If we can never judge, then how can we judge when a prophet is a false prophet? I’m so glad that Jesus gave us these words in the same chapter where he said, “Do not judge.” (7:1).
To see fruit and decide that it is an apple is not a judgment. To be able to tell a fig from an apple does not violate the principle of judging. The same Jesus who just said, “Judge not,” here says, “By their fruit you will know them.”
Jesus gives us these words because he wants us to be able to make wise decisions. He wants us to be able to tell a false prophet from a good prophet. He wants us to judge what is a sheep and what is a wolf.
Here is the principle for judging: when you walk up to a tree and find it has apples, then you can judge it is not a fig tree or a peach tree. We judge it by the fruit. When you see from a distance and see the leaves blowing in the wind, you don’t know yet. We are to judge by the fruit, not by the way the leaves are blowing in the wind.
Paul urged elders to watch out for false teachers. He warned them to warn the church against them. (Acts 20:28-31). We can tell a false teacher by the fruits of their teaching.
Take this great lesson from today’s reading: “By their fruit shall you know” anything.
Lonnie Davis