Today we will be looking into the book of Matthew 7:15 to 20. Here Christ speaks about false prophets, those who use His word, call upon Him but do not do His will.
15"Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. 16By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? 17Likewise every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. 18A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. 19Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.
He teaches us how to identify false prophets, He says we will notice them by their fruit, by their actions. A good tree cannot produce bad fruit nor can a bad tree produce good fruit. He says "A tree that does not produce fruit will be chopped and thrown into the fire."
What does this mean?
It means that those who speak the word to be seen as goodbut do not live by His will/word are false believers thus their actions will reveal their true self. Yesterday we spoke about the will of the Father, and the will is for us to love one another and obey and love His commands as our Lord and saviour. We have been set apart for Him only, to bring glory to Him. Now if we only speak the words of the bible so fluently but do not believe them and do them, then we are false prophets too.
The next verses explains why we have to do the will and true prophets. Matthew 7:21-23.
21"Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?' 23Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!
To do His will is to do what He has told you to do without question.It is very important that we do the will of the Father in Heaven so we can relate to Christ as we saw in yesterdays blog, that His brothers and sisters and mother are those who do the will of the Father in Heaven. Knowing the word is not enough we have to practice living it everyday. We can start by loving the people we hate the most, praying for our enemies, giving because it is our nature and making sure His word is active in our lives. We are created to do good so He can be glorified by men when they see us living out His will on earth.
Prayer:
Our Father in heaven may your name be glorified, honoured and most respected
May your kingdom last forever in heaven and on earth.
We lift you up Lord as you deserve all the honour.
We thank you for todays word and that you have opened our ears to hear your will and that we may be doers of it.
We thank you that you know our needs before we do and you supply everything according to your will.
Thank you Father that your glory and your will is revealed in us and becomes active.
Thank you for another day in your presence, may You be glorified always
Praises belong to you, we cannot thank you enough for your glorious works,
May your Kingdom last forever on earth as it is in heaven, amen.
