Matthew 7:15–18 (NKJV) — 15 “Beware of false prophets, who come to
you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. 16 You will
know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thorn bushes or figs
from thistles? 17 Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree
bears bad fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree
bear good fruit.
Beware! They are not only out there but have also infiltrated the church.
They have come in as great teachers of the truth but do not bear the fruit.
How do we know the false prophets? We know God’s Word. We study God’s
Word. We live God’s Word.
We are to know God’s Word. 2 Timothy 3:16–17 “All Scripture is given by
inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction,
for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete,
thoroughly equipped for every good work.”
We are to seek God’s Word with all our heart. Psalm 119:10–11 “With
my whole heart I have sought You; Oh, let me not wander from Your
commandments! 11 Your word I have hidden in my heart, That I might not
sin against You.”
We are to hold God’s Word close to us. Proverbs 7:2–3 “Keep my
commands and live, And my law as the apple of your eye. 3 Bind them on
your fingers; Write them on the tablet of your heart.”
Remember God’s Word is not dead. Hebrews 4:12 “For the word of God
is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even
to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner
of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”
The false prophets are secret agents infiltrating the church. They can be
found out. God’s people are in the church worshiping and learning about
God. The false prophet will try and destroy the work of God. The true
followers of God will be able to discern those who pretend to know God.
The 5 purposes of the church are: worship, fellowship, discipleship, ministry,
and mission. and they are derived from THE GREAT COMMANDMENT
(Matthew 22:37–40) and THE GREAT COMMISSION (Matthew 28:19–20).