SOTM 37-Prophets

For additional notes and resources check out Douglas’ website.15 “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 thornbushes, 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" (Matthew 7:15-20).CommentJesus tells us to be on our guard.Peter predicted the rise of false prophets in the church (2 Peter 2:1-3). So did Paul, John, and others (Acts 20:29; 1 John 4:1; etc.).In biblical history, the false prophets nearly always outnumber the true. For example, in the days of Elijah (850:101) and Micaiah (400:1)—see 1 Kings 18, 22.Even so, today there are 1000s of denominations claiming to represent truly biblical Christianity. Of course no church group is perfect, but many flagrantly flout the scriptures and flaunt their own traditions and ego.False prophetsTwist God’s word.May be sincerely deluded, but always delude others.Some of their ideas and vocabulary sound right. Yet often basic terms and ideas have been given a twist.(Extended quotation from Jerry Taylor, “Two Houses in a Storm, in Leaven: A Journal of Christian Ministry [Pepperdine University: vol.16, no.4, 2008], 187.)AnalogiesThree analogies: sheep and wolves, grapes and thorns, figs and thistles.Earlier Jesus had commented on dogs and pigs. Now, he warns us of wolves. More subtle, less obvious, more strategic. But these are no ordinary wolves, but “wolves in sheep’s clothing.” Despite the outward show of righteousness, inside they are predatory.How can we tell?How can we tell a false prophet from a true one?By their fruits (Gal 5:19-23).Those whose fruit is bad will be thrown into the fire. So too will Christians who do not bear fruit (John 15:6).This is another example of acceptable “judging” (like 7:6).Yet it is never okay to persecute false teachers—let alone torture them, as was common from the Middle Ages all the way until recent centuries.Early churchHermas: “Test a prophet by his life… The man who merely seems to have the spirit exalts himself and wants to have the first seat. He is bold, impudent, and talkative. He lives in luxury and takes rewards for his prophecy.” The Shepherd 2, commandment 11Apollonius: “All the fruits of a prophet should be examined. Tell me, does a prophetess dye her hair? Does she use cosmetics on her eyes? Is a prophetess fond of dress? Does a prophet play at gambling tables and dice? Does a prophet lend money on interest?” Concerning Montanism (ANF 8.775-776). (These are all behaviors considered worldly in the early church—immodesty, gambling, extortion.)Didache: “Even if a prophet teaches the truth, if he does not do what he teaches, he is a false prophet.” Didache 10Conclusion“Authentic disciples and leaders will display increasingly consistent behaviors that are consonant with their Lord’s life and instructions.” (Mary Ellen Pereira in “I Never Knew You: Jesus’ Rebuke in Matthew 7.23” Leaven: A Journal of Christian Ministry (Pepperdine University: vol.16, no.4, 2008), 169.Again, look at their fruit—their character and behavior and impact (v.20)!Next: Lord, Lord