Beware of False Prophets and How to Detect Their Fruits

“Beware of false prophets who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravening wolves.  You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thorn bushes, or figs from thistles?  So, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit.  A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit.  Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.  Thus you will recognize them by their fruits.” – Matthew 7:18-20 (ESV).

The subject of this teaching is that we be aware of false prophets (preachers, teachers, spiritual leaders)   They can come to us meekly and as gentle as lambs, but inwardly they can be as hungry wolves, greedy for power, prestige and selfish gain.  Jesus gives us a metaphor by which we can recognize and assize false prophets.  “By their fruits you shall know them.”  We therefore have a means of detecting “a wolf in sheep’s clothing,” to use the old adage to describe the situation.

Jesus warned us in Matthew 7:1-7 not to judge.  But we are to practice discernment and be alert to what is false and misleading.  A wise teacher has said that there is a difference between judging and being a fruit inspector.  In the latter, the product is there awaiting scrupulous examination.  In this passage and also in Matthew 12:33-37, Jesus is referring to the words spoken, the teachings propounded.  Words express one’s beliefs.  They either vindicate or condemn the speaker.  Our job, then, is to have enough wisdom and insight to see signs of false fruit in the teachings we hear (or read).  False prophets magnify themselves.  They exploit people.  To follow a false prophet will not lead to a changed life.  We discern them not necessarily just by their teachings, for oftentimes their teaching can sound and even be orthodox.  But their works—their fruit—must stand the litmus test of genuineness.  Is the prophet self-seeking and covetousness?  Then beware.

Perhaps Jesus saw a fig tree or a grape vine near by when he was giving this teaching.  “Figs do not grow on thistles,”  he said.  “Neither do grapes come from thorn bushes.”  These are reasonable observations.  We could liken the comparison of apples not coming from pecan trees.  Beware of those who pretend holiness with their words and teachings, but their actions and deeds are contrary to what they proclaim.  Another adage applies here:  “Your actions speak so loudly I cannot hear what you say.”  The orchard owner is aware of unproductive fruit trees, culls them out, cuts them down and throws them into the fire.  This is a dire warning of the future judgment of false teachers.  In the meantime, we who hear and are prone to follow their enticing words have some standards by which we can beware of them.  The life of the prophet and the results of his influence on others are the fruits we examine.  The fruits will indicate whether or not his message is consistent with the kingdom life of righteousness.  That is why we need to be rooted and grounded in the truths of God’s Word.  “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path” –Psalm 119:105 (KJV).