False prophets was common in Old Testament times. They prophesy only what the king and the people wanted to hear, claiming it was from God. Jesus indicate that false prophets were just as prevalent in His days. False teachers are just as common today. Jesus says to beware of those whose words sound religious but who are motivated by money, fame or power, you can tell who they are because they in their teaching minimize Jesus and glorify and exalt themselves (v.20). Jesus said yes just as you can identify a tree by its fruit, so you can identify people by their actions. We should evaluate teacher's words by examining their lives. just as tree are consistent in the kind of fruit they produce, good teachers consistently exhibit good behavior and high moral character as they they seek to live out true Scripture. This does not mean we should witch-hunts, throwing pastors, Sunday school teachers, and others who are less than perfect. Everyone of us is subject to sin, and we must show the same mercy to others as we expect for our selves. When Jesus talks about worthless trees He means teachers who deliberately teach false doctrine. We must examine the teachers motives, the direction the are talking, and the result they are seeking.
Prayer for the Day: Lord Jesus I pray this day you open my spiritual eyes to see and to know those who brings false doctrine into my life.
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