You’ve most likely heard this said; “Watch out for false prophets ..”. This comes from the Book of Matthew. What did Jesus say about false teachers? And how can we be prepared?
Jesus warned his followers to beware of false prophets who come dressed as sheep but are actually ravenous wolves. In the Book of Matthew, Jesus mentioned that these false teachers would perform signs and wonders to deceive people. He also emphasized that their teachings would bear bad fruit, such as promoting greed, hypocrisy, and false doctrines.
To be prepared, Jesus advised his disciples to judge these false prophets by their fruits and to stay rooted in the truth of God’s Word. So, how can we know if we are hearing the truth from God with so many deceptions in the world? To find out more, let’s study this Scripture lesson more closely.
What Did Jesus Say about False Teachers? Matthew 7 Explains
“Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves.
You will know them by their fruits. Grapes are not gathered from thorn bushes nor figs from thistles, are they?
So every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit.
A good tree cannot produce bad fruit, nor can a bad tree produce good fruit.
Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.
So then, you will know them by their fruits.” – Matthew 7:15-20 NASB
What Did Jesus Says about False Prophets?
False prophets were common in Old Testament times. They prophesied only what the king and the people wanted to hear, claiming it was God’s message. But, did you know that false teachers are just as common today?
Jesus says to beware of those whose words sound religious but who are motivated by money, fame, or power.
We see these “prophets” all over the TV and radio and many times even in “traditional” churches.
A pastor friend of mine once said; “If the TV preachers can really heal; why don’t they show up at hospitals every day?” This statement has stuck in my mind because it’s so powerful.
The “Evil” Preacher
Am I saying all TV evangelists are evil?
Not at all. There are many great evangelists such as Billy Graham and Dr David Jeremiah who have made it their life’s work to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ to millions. And, they had very little time to enjoy monetary rewards of their ministry. Their mission and faith were far more important than any financial reward.
Good Trees and Bad – What’s the Difference?
It is not that difficult to separate the “good” from the “bad” because the latter will tend to minimize Christ and glorify themselves. The good will be more focused on glorifying God and living in a way that reflects His character, while the bad will be more focused on their own agenda and their own glory. In short, the difference between the two is often quite clear.
So, if you encounter a sermon in which most of the sermon is about the minister or about money, take caution.
What is a False Prophet?
When Jesus talked about bad trees, He described teachers who deliberately teach false doctrine. Some examples of false doctrines taught by false prophets include;
- denial of Jesus as the Son of God,
- promotion of salvation through works rather than faith,
- preaching of prosperity gospel,
- and the distortion of biblical teachings to fit personal or political agendas.
These false doctrines often lead people astray from the truth and hinder their spiritual growth.
In short, we must examine:
- the teachers’ motives,
- the direction they are taking,
- and the results they are seeking.
The Other Side of False Teachings
Now, I know you may not agree but there is another side to those who teach falsely. Remember that God can use anything for good. So, in my humble opinion, I believe that even those who teach falsely can bring some to Christ. Even though the motivation was wrong; They heard about Christ, didn’t they?
Am I saying that I agree with the false teachers? Not at all! But, if a person takes Christ as Savior, and truly means it, the truth will eventually come out.
People are more savvy than we sometimes give them credit for. While the presence of false teachings can be harmful and misleading, God can turn even the most misguided intentions toward His greater purpose. The message of Christ, regardless of the imperfect vessel delivering it, has the power to reach and transform hearts.
However, we must remain vigilant and discerning. We must remain grounded in the truth of Scripture, to recognize and reject falsehood. Ultimately, a genuine relationship with Christ leads to the truth.
Simplified – How Can We Spot a False Teacher? Two Ways!
For a start, we use common sense along with God’s guidance through Bible study and listening. Also, we ask the Holy Spirit to guide us to know the truth when we hear it. With God’s help, we will!
Love in Christ
– Bob
If you would like to learn more about how to follow Christ, please take a moment to read John 3:16.