Matthew 7:15-23 (NIV)
[15] “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 recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, 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 recognize them.[21] “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. [22] Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’ [23] Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’
When I think about "by their fruit you shall know them" it reminds me of my Father saying "I'm not judging, I'm just inspecting the fruit". It always brought a chuckle to me but seriously, it might be harder to know without God's discerning powers resident within. I'm so glad God is in charge and all I have to do is let Him lead me through the wilderness. Thanks, Sylvia
ReplyDeleteyour dad seems to be wise Silvia
DeleteDoing the will of the Father seems to be key. Jesus said John 8:28 So Jesus said, When the Son of man has been lifted up by you, then it will be clear to you who I am, and that I do nothing of myself, but say as the Father gave me teaching.
Dave Fox
So many things come to mind here. Things I never really thought about before.
ReplyDeleteWe are told to watch out for false prophets, but not told here what to do about them.
We are told you can tell tree by it's fruit, but again not to do anything with the bad tree. All it said is watch out and you can tell. Sometimes I wonder how much God wants things left to Him.
We talked about this passage the other week at WestSide Guys. The think then still stands out to me. Some actualy did what seemed like good thing, prophesied, cast out demon and did miracles all in God's name without knowing Him.
Jesus seems to be speaking these verses to the very age we are now into- especially the last two years 2012,2013 in the area of deception. Deception abounds, not only in false teaching but seems to be all around us in the secular- especially the media.
ReplyDeleteAs Jesus said-"Many " will prophesy, drive out demons and perform miracles- but are not known by Him- He didn't send them.
We need discernment now more than at any other time. Then there is the "powerful delusion" of the very elect that is yet to come.....
Gerry
Today's reading seems to paralle what Jesus said in Matt. 24. We have been studying this chaper in our life group. Today we must be very decerning. Help us Lord to see the truth and not be deceive.
ReplyDeleteWhat seems to be coming from this passage for me is that entering the kingdom of heaven is not simply about doing good things or right things or even miraculous things but doing what He says. If what we do is not a matter of obedience to Him from a relational context, then it does not count. To obey Him in a personal context requires spending time in His presence, listening to Him, walking with Him, and knowing Him. To only do the right or good kinds of things does not require relationship. But without relationship with Him, His pronouncement over us is that He does not know us. Now, this cannot mean that He does not know who we are. That would make God less than God. But, if He is saying that He does not know us, then He must be referring to something personal. So, I can know a lot about Barak Obama without knowing him at all. And it is knowing him that counts.
ReplyDeleteHi its caleb. I want to say when we fell the need to worry we don't. Even if we think we do we don't because God is with us. Even if something happens to your family we don't need to worry because it's God's plan.
ReplyDeleteThis was meant to be posted with yesterday's reading. - Caleb
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