More Wolves in Sheep's Clothing

Today's Gospel Reading is Matthew 7:15-20.
For all of today's readings, click here.

15 Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. 16 You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? 17 So, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit. 18 A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Thus you will recognize them by their fruits. (ESV)

False prophets are a reality, even today. They speak interesting, touching, helpful, and intriguing things in the name of God. People flock to them. People listen. People give them money and support their ministry. But in reality, these leaders are ravenous wolves - hungry, dangerous, and willing to devour their "innocent" following.

False teaching and preaching is extremely dangerous for two reasons. First, it leads people away from the true God and towards the fires of Hell. Second, false teachers are extremely hard to identify, especially if you are one of their followers.

Think about it. No one joins a cult or a heretical religious sect thinking, "You know, these people are liars. I think I'll give them money and do what they say." No, the followers of false teachers are convinced their ravenous leaders are right, godly, and teaching the truth. Thus, is so hard to convince someone that their leader is actually not from God at all.

But how do we know who is of God and who is not? How can we tell? Could our pastors be one of these wolves? Well, I don't want you to be skeptical of your leadership; that's not biblical (see Hebrews 13:17). I don't think Jesus does either, so He tells us to examine their fruits - what they do.

Yesterday, Mark wrote about the importance of loving God and enjoying Him. Do your pastors and leaders truly love God? Are they seeking to obey God's Law, or are they just pointing fingers, telling others what to do?

This doesn't have to go to the extreme of a sex scandal or embezzlement. "Smaller" sins are still sin. So how do they spend their time? Are they concerned about preaching Christ and Him crucified? Do you see them repent of their small sins? Do they lie about how they spend their time? Are they just concerned about money? Do they point other people to Christ?

That last one is key. There are two kingdoms in this world. The Kingdom of God and the kingdom of men. One will last forever, but the other couldn't stand now, except for the True King. Which one is your pastor most concerned about? Is he preparing himself, his family, and his people to live forever in God's Kingdom, or is he teaching how to live now in man's?

That's a tough question, and it is one we should ask ourselves too. Am I more concerned about God's Kingdom or my own? If my fruits were examined, would I be found to be a healthy or a diseased tree? If we are bad trees, we will probably be drawn to follow other bad tress. If we are healthy, then we will probably follow those who lead us to the Physician, who will keep us that way.

So pray for your leaders - pastors, Sunday School teachers, deacons, elders, bishops, small group leaders, parents, etc. They have an incredible responsibility to prepare people for God's eternal Kingdom. It is tempting to teach about man's kingdom, because it is easier and more attractive at first. Pray for them to be faithful to God.

And pray for yourselves. Don't just scrutinize others, and don't forget the plank in your own eye. Let's prune off our own bad fruit so that our trunk - our heart and soul - would be healthy, so that we would listen to the Good Shepherd, follow Him, and enter into the Kingdom of God for all eternity.

You, O God, are the only good and holy Shepherd. You love Your people, and You lead us beside quiet waters and feed us the choicest of food. Yet we are easily deceived by our own sin, and we so readily follow those who would lead us astray. We pray for the leaders of our churches, families, and communities, who have been given the task of teaching the Truth. May Your words be their words; Your thoughts their thoughts; and Your will their will. May they seek obedience, truth, and holiness, and may they lead many souls to Christ Jesus, our Lord. We pray the same for ourselves. In His holy and precious name, amen.