Nov1

"Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them."
Matthew 7:15-20

Jesus warns us against false prophets ~ against phonies, and those who fake in being a child of God. Being real and realistic is a gift from God. We, as christians can be real because we have nothing to hide! Christ's death makes amends for our sins, and our Baptism gives us His righteousness. We have learned to view life through the eyes of God.

According to God's Word, we are to be real, and that means that we emerge from behind our facades and fronts, our pretending and playacting, and speak and act with honesty. And in being a realistic Christian, we also posess the ability to detect those who are fake and dishonest ~ the false ones!

False prophets were common in the Old Testament times. They are also still common today! We hear people prophesize what they think the multitude want to hear ~ not because they are believers, but because they selfishly want to gain popularity. Jesus want us to beware of those whose words sound religious but who are motivated by money, fame, or power. In their teaching, they will minimize Christ and glorify themsleves. Let us evaluate teachers' words by examining their lives and daily behavior.

Application:
Just as trees are consistent in the kind of fruit that they bear, so do good teachers consistently exhibit good behavior and high moral charactor as they seek to live out the truths of Scripture. This is also true in the saved christians you encounter each day ~ and also in yourselves. Are you walking the walk and talking the talk from the depths of your heart? Or do you sometimes "fake" your way through your day? What would be pleasing to God? A true prophet of Jesus Christ knows what they should do. Let us not only examine our teacher's motives, but also take a look at our own.

May God bless you with a wonderful day as the direction you take and the results of them are pleasing to our Lord.

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Love in Christ,
Sandy