Beware

Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles? Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Therefore by their fruits you will know them.

Matthew 7:15-20

Jesus warns of false prophets that were widespread in His day. He calls them ravenous wolves who ravage the people of God with lies and deception.

The way these false prophets would be identified would be through their works. The true prophet’s works would demonstrate that the message they proclaimed was real and genuine. Conversely, the false prophet’s works would eventually expose them as the raging wolves they truly are.

The example Jesus uses is fruit trees. As a good tree bears good fruit, a Godly prophet will bear Godly fruits of righteousness, holiness, goodness, self-control, etc. As a bad tree bears bad fruit, a false-prophet will bear the bad fruits of self-righteousness, worldliness, selfishness, and envy.

By their fruits they shall be known. We should realize that it takes time for fruit to grow and be harvested. Those attributes that set apart a false prophet from a true prophet may not be readily seen at the first. However, the truth will be revealed in time.

Tony French