Daily Devotional for Sunday, November 15
Beware of False Prophets
Matthew 7:15-20
“Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them,” Matthew 7:15, 20.
Fruit is used a great deal as an analogy or metaphor in Scripture. I do not know anyone offhand who does not like some kind of fruit. There is enough variety for everyone. Fruit is used because it is easy to discern the difference between a good piece of fruit and a bad one. A good piece of fruit is sweet, savory and beneficial to your health. On the other hand, you will discard a bad piece of fruit immediately, for it is bitter and might make you sick.
False prophets or teachers are bad and need to be discarded quickly. Because man focuses more on the outside, it is easy for them to come in as sheep. It is like a piece of fruit; it may look good on the outside but on the inside, it is crawling with infection. This is the way it is with false teachers. If they looked like ravening wolves, you would not listen to them. You would turn away and run quickly.
Jesus knew there would be false prophets, and even though they have been around for centuries, today the world and even the church is inundated with them. “Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils” (1 Timothy 4:1). Many false prophets preach on giving and feeling oriented teachings. Many are rich because they steal from their congregation. If a man of God has a ten-million-dollar mansion, flies in a private jet, and his suit is more expensive than your car, you can be sure he is not a true man of God. Though he looks good on the outside, his day of judgment is coming.
Something to Think About
There are many warnings against false teachings in the Bible. Know the teachings of Jesus so you will not be deceived.
Karry Irizarry