False Teachers – The Deceivers

CONTEXT:

MATTHEW 7:15-20

15 Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. 16 By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? 17 Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.

APPLICATION

1. The Warning

Watch out for false prophets. (v. 15a)

2. The Description

They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. (v. 15b)

3. The Detection

By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. (vv. 16-18)

4. The Warning

 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. (v. 19)