Beware of False Prophets

Introduction

Today, it seems like everyone strives to be a prophet. Prophetic speech is common talk in many of the fellowships today and the words of a prophet are sought after today as they were in the Old Testament days. However, Jesus warns His people about false prophets. Let us look to Jesus’ teaching on false prophets to distinguish false from true prophets of God.

Matthew 7:15–20 LEB

15 “Beware of false prophets who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inside are ravenous wolves. 16 You will recognize them by their fruits: they do not gather grapes from thorn bushes or figs from thistles, do they? 17 In the same way, every good tree produces good fruit, but a bad tree produces bad fruit. 18 A good tree is not able to produce bad fruit, nor a bad tree to produce good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not produce good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 As a result, you will recognize them by their fruits.

What does Jesus say?

Verse 15: Just as He started in verse 13 with “Enter the narrow gate,” Jesus gives a warning to “Beware of false prophets. . .” The warning is strong because the false prophets look like true prophets of God, hence why Jesus said they come in sheep’s clothing. However, inside they are like ravenous wolves, meaning they look to serve their own self-interest.

Verses 16-20: One can recognize false from true prophets by their fruits. “ “Fruits” here is talking about the actions of the individual. Those who are false prophets will be judged by God for their actions. (echoed by John in Matthew 3:8-10)

Note on prophets: Prophets articulate the will of God to others. The test of a prophet in the OT was leading people to commit idolatry and failed prophecy (Deut 13:1-6; 18:20-22). Here we can see it as one who teach or do things contrary to the teachings of Christ.

What do we do?

Understand the Scriptures are the authoritative word of God

Know the word of God

Examine others by the word of God