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Gospel of Matthew - Chapter 7 - False Prophets

by Paul George  
4/14/2008 / Bible Studies

Matthew 7:15-23

"Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly are ravening wolves. By their fruits you will know them. Do you gather grapes from thorns, or figs from thistles? Even so, every good tree produces good fruit; but the corrupt tree produces evil fruit. A good tree can't produce evil fruit; neither can a corrupt tree produce good fruit. Every tree that doesn't grow good fruit is cut down, and thrown into the fire. Therefore, by their fruits you will know them" (WEB).

The decision that every man must make is not an easy one, for there are many godless guides who would lead us to the wide gate and the way that leads to destruction. These false prophets are not only blind themselves, but they lead others to destruction with them. Those who submitted to the religious leaders of Jesus' day followed them on the path that led to destruction. Above all else, the Jewish leadership rejected Jesus as Israel's Messiah and put Him to death. No wonder we find our Lord warning His listeners about false prophets.

False prophets are particularly dangerous because they appear to be genuine. Their outward behavior, manners, and speech would cause one to believe these false prophets to be reliable guides. They may wear distinctive clothing that sets them apart as leaders. They may have the title "reverend." They may be men who hold positions of religious leadership. They may have graduated from a divinity school. They might even be seminary professors. Basing our acceptance of evangelists, pastors and teachers in the church on what we see, hear, their educational background, experience, and behavior we might wrongly assume them to be reliable guides, but we cannot evaluate on such external evidence.

What are the fruits that will prove those who claim they are sent by Jesus have been sent by Him? One must be very careful here, for false prophets are not without religious activities. A false prophet is often accompanied by deceptive signs and by seeming wonders. Jesus said, many will tell me in that day, "Lord, Lord, didn't we prophesy in your name, in your name cast out demons, and in your name do many mighty works?'" Jesus said, "Then I will tell them, I never knew you. Note, Jesus did not say there was a time when He knew these false prophets; He said I never knew them. Then, Jesus said, "Every tree that doesn't grow good fruit is cut down, and thrown into the fire."

It should come as no surprise that false prophets engage in acts of kindness and charity. They perform deeds that suggest miraculous power. False prophets are deceitful men disguising themselves as apostles of Christ; even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. Therefore it is not surprising his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their deeds (2 Corinthians 11:13-15).

If the religious activities of the false prophets are not the fruits of which Jesus spoke, what are they? The Scriptures frequently describe the fruits of the false prophets, so that we are left with little doubt as to what we should look for. Jeremiah told the sons of Jacob, "Don't listen to the words of the prophets who prophesy to you: they teach you vanity; they speak a vision of their own heart, and not out of the mouth of Yahweh." He also told them God said, "I sent not these prophets, yet they ran: I didn't speak to them, yet they prophesied. I have heard what the prophets have said, who prophesy lies in my name, saying, I have dreamed, I have dreamed" (Jeremiah 23:16, 21, 25 WEB).

First, false prophets speak from their own delusion, not by divine command.

Yahweh told Jeremiah, "They say continually to those who despise me, Yahweh has said, You shall have peace; and to everyone who walks in the stubbornness of his own heart they say, No evil shall come on you" (Jeremiah 23:17- WEB).

Second, false prophets do not proclaim or defend God's word, but deny it. In particular they deny unpleasant subjects such as impending judgment (Jeremiah 6:14; 28:17; Ezekiel 13:10).

Yahweh told Jeremiah, "They have healed the hurt of the daughter of my people slightly, saying, Peace, peace; when there is no peace" (Jeremiah 8:11 WEB).

Third, false prophets offer temporary and partial relief to pressing problems.

The king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, "There is yet one man by whom we may inquire of Yahweh, Micaiah the son of Imlah; but I hate him; for he does not prophesy good concerning me, but evil. Jehoshaphat said, "Don't let the king say so. Then the king of Israel called an officer, and said, 'Quickly get Micaiah the son of Imlah.' Now the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat the king of Judah were sitting each on his throne, arrayed in their robes, in an open place at the entrance of the gate of Samaria; and all the prophets were prophesying before them. Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah made him horns of iron, and said, 'Thus says Yahweh, With these you shall push the Syrians, until they are consumed.' All the prophets prophesied so, saying, "Go up to Ramoth Gilead, and prosper; for Yahweh will deliver it into the hand of the king. The messenger who went to call Micaiah spoke to him, saying, "See now, the prophets declare good to the king with one mouth. Please let your word be like the word of one of them, and speak good" (1 Kings 22:8-13).

The Apostle Paul told Timothy, "For the time will come when they will not listen to the sound doctrine, but, having itching ears, will heap up for themselves teachers after their own lusts; and will turn away their ears from the truth, and turn aside to fables" (2 Timothy 4:3-4- WEB).

Fourth, false prophets tell people what they want to hear.

The Apostle Peter told the first century Christians, "But false prophets also arose among the people, as false teachers will also be among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, denying even the Master who bought them, bringing on themselves swift destruction" (2 Peter 2:1).
The Apostle John tells us, "don't believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit who confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God, and every spirit who doesn't confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God, and this is the spirit of the Antichrist, of whom you have heard that it comes. Now it is in the world already" (1 John 4:1-3 WEB).

Fifth, false prophets deny the deity of our Lord Jesus Christ and they reject the work of Christ on the cross (2 Peter 2:1; 1 John 4:2-3).

Sixth, the teachings of the false prophets leads to a rejection of God's word, a rejection of biblical authority, a division in the body of believers (Jeremiah 23:2, 14) a life sensuality (2 Peter 2:2.

Seventh, false prophets attempt to lead men away from the truth of the gospel (Acts 13:8), and deceive true believers (Mark 13:22).

Eighth, false prophets are easily distinguished by their pride (2 Peter 2:10), their greed (Jeremiah 8:10; Titus 1:11; 2 Peter 2:3, 14) and immorality (Jeremiah 23:11, 14; 2 Peter 2:14). They are men dominated by the flesh (2 Peter 2:10, 12; 3:3). They prey upon the weak and the guilt-ridden (2 Timothy 3:6-7; 2 Peter 2:14, 13). While they profess to know God, by their deeds they deny Him (Matthew 7:22-23; 2 Timothy 3:5; Titus 1:16). While they delight in authority, they refuse to submit to it (2 Peter 2:10).

How do we avoid getting caught in the snares set by Satan through his servants false prophets? First it is through prayer; Second, it through the study of the word of God; Third, it through earnestly contending for the faith.

Retired pastor,Church of the Nazarene

Author of web site Exploring God's Word

www.thewordofgodonline.net

New American Standard Bible

King James Version

The World English Bible

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