7:15 Beware of the false prophets This is a present imperative. Jesus often spoke of false prophets (cf. Matt. 24:4, 5, 11, 23-24; Mark 13:22). It is always difficult to identify false proclaimers because they usually have an element of truth in their message, and one is not always certain of their motives. Therefore, it becomes a crucial question as to how believers ascertain who are false proclaimers. There are several elements which must be brought into the evaluation. Deuteronomy 13:1-3 (ESV) 1 “If a prophet or a dreamer of dreams arises among you and gives you a sign or a wonder, 2 and the sign or wonder that he tells you comes to pass, and if he says, ‘Let us go after other gods,’ which you have not known, ‘and let us serve them,’ 3 you shall not listen to the words of that prophet or that dreamer of dreams. For the LORD your God is testing you, to know whether you love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul. 1. Deut. 13:1-3 and 18:22 2. Titus 1:16 and 1 John. 4:7-11 3. 1 John. 4:1-3, Based on these criteria, Christians are able to make their evaluation. Verses 15-20 deal with the issue of fruit inspection, while Matt. 7:21-23 deal with people who bear seemingly good fruit, but have no personal relationship with God. There is both a gate and a road ; both an initial faith and a life of faith! ▣ who come to you in sheeps clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves The wolf is the traditional enemy of the sheep (cf. Matt. 10:16; Acts 20:29). This may mean that one of the difficult aspects of the road that leads to life is that there are people who try to detour us by means of a false message (cf. Eph. 4:14). Usually this message will have some personal advantage for the false prophets. They look so religious! Verses 21-23 show how wolves can look like sheep! 7:16 You will know them by their fruits This parable is unique to Matthew. This is a future indicative used as a present imperative (see also Matt. 7:20). The question expected a no answer (like Matt. 7:10). Know is emphatic, implying that believers can and must recognize false proclaimers. We can know them by their lifestyle priorities and their doctrinal teachings. It has often been questioned as to which of these make up ones fruit, when actually, both do. 1. their teachings (cf. Deut. 13:1-3; 18:22; Luke 6:45; 1 John. 4:1-3) 2. their actions (cf. Luke 3:8-14; 6:43-46; John 15:8-10; Eph. 5:9-12; Col. 1:10; Tit. 1:16; James 3:17-18; 1 John. 4:7-11) How people live reflects 1. their true selves 2. their relationship with God
Posted on: Wed, 31 Dec 2014 11:49:10 +0000