Scripture

“Beware of false prophets who come disguised as harmless sheep but are really vicious wolves. You can identify them by their fruit, that is, by the way they act.”

Observation

We must be wary of false prophets who look like sheep, but are actually wolves. You can judge them by their fruit, like a tree is judged by its fruit. You can judge people by their actions.

Not everyone who calls Jesus “Lord, Lord ” will enter the kingdom of heaven. They will say they prophesied and cast out demons in Jesus’ name, but He will say,”Go away; I never knew you.”

Application

A false prophet is not somebody who sometimes gets a prediction wrong. A false prophet is a wolf in sheep’s clothing. That is, a false prophet is not really a servant of Christ, but a tool of the Devil.

Jesus tells us that we can judge such people by their fruit. The chief among these is whether they draw attention to themselves or to Jesus.

There are many people in various ministries who profit from their position. They are in ministry for selfish reasons – money, power or glory. Such people will do everything they can to promote themselves and to increase their own gains at the expense of the people they are supposedly ministering to.

A prophet who charges for his words, or who invites people of the opposite sex for private sessions, or who promotes their own ministry, is a wolf. Stay away from such a person.

Prayer

Lord, please give your church the discernment to tell the genuine prophets and pastors from those who come to devour the flock. Amen