Beware Of False Teachers

¹⁵ Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.

¹⁶ Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?

¹⁷ Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.

¹⁸ A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.

¹⁹ Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.

²⁰ Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.

-Matthew 7:15-20 (KJV)

I believe that there are many false teachers of the Word among us today. You find warnings about following these false teachers throughout Scripture. Someone may look the part of a Christian, of a true teacher, when in reality, they are far from Him. That's the idea behind verse 15. "Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves." Just because someone looks like a sheep doesn't mean they are a sheep. Jesus knew that many would come and lead others astray from the way. He warned them (and us) about this. 

Jesus even tells us how to spot the false prophet. Verse 16 says, "Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?" Does the fruit that these false teachers bear line up with the Word of God? There has been a lot of talk about judging among Christians on Facebook recently. I think we should not judge the person, but judge the fruit they are bearing. First John 4:1 supports that. "Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world." We are told to test the spirits, test the fruit that comes from a teacher's life. Is it good? Is it bad? Does it line up with what the Word teaches? If not, then you better get away from that teaching. John says "many false prophets are gone out into the world." Even today, there are many false prophets roaming around the churches. 

Verse 20 of Matthew 7 says, "Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them."  We, as Christians, shouldn't blindly follow someone who calls themselves a Christian. We must test out what they are preaching, and make sure it lines up with the Word of God. If it doesn't, then run away. Think About It.