Tuesday 1st October
Read Matthew 7:15-20
“‘Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. 16 By their fruit you will recognise them. Do people pick grapes from thorn-bushes, or figs from thistles? 17 Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Thus, by their fruit you will recognise them.” (NIVUK)
So much for the literal interpretation of ‘Do not judge’ (Matthew 7:1)! Discrimination is non-negotiable for those who walk the narrow path. There are people who look like they are walking beside you but are in fact lying in wait to lead you off the path and destroy you. They are remarkably difficult to spot. They do not walk around with shirts reading ‘false teacher’ but look and sound very similar to you.
How often do you consider the risk that you are being lead astray? Do you accept everything you hear at face value as well-intentioned and probably correct or do you test it against the gospel of Jesus and weigh it carefully? Jesus has provided a command to us as He concludes His message – watch out for false prophets. How obedient are we in this task? For a surprisingly large amount of teaching exists in both testaments warning the people of God to be careful and look out.
Paul warned the Ephesians when he last saw them of just such a risk, in language strikingly similar to Jesus. “Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood. 29 I know that after I leave, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock. 30 Even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples after them. 31 So be on your guard! Remember that for three years I never stopped warning each of you night and day with tears.” (Acts 20:28-31) (NIVUK). He never stopped warning them of this risk. He walked closely in Jesus’ steps in this as well. As did Peter (cf 2 Peter). And John. Do we have ears to hear?
