Lesson Six: A Tree and Its Fruit
Devotion #3: Warning: Beware of Wolves
Grant Grimes
“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? So, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit. A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus you will recognize them by their fruits.” Matthew 7:15-20
The first thing that pops into my brain when I read this verse is one of those cheesy Halloween signs telling people to beware of zombies. As a child, I remember laughing when I saw this and yet, continuing on. The sign was a prop. There were no real dangers heading my way; zombies obviously are not real. I had nothing to worry about or need to fear. However, this warning by Jesus is no joke. It is not a prank or a decoration that serves no purpose; this warning is intentional and a matter of life or death.
Throughout the Bible, we are warned of false prophets and enemies of God trying to pull the flock away from Jesus and ultimately into the grasp of Satan (Matthew 24:11, 24; 1 John 4:1). The Bible repeats these warnings over and over. Jesus continues this warning and tells His followers about the outward deception that will take place. False prophets will disguise themselves as clean and harmless, yet behind the mask, a killer wolf. For many of us today, if not all of us, we will never have to come into contact with a wolf, but this metaphorical beast Jesus talks about will come.
Since the “beware” Jesus gives us is real and an active danger, we need to be able to identify this danger. It is a good thing He gives us a test to run to reveal the “ravenous wolves” in disguise. I feel that as a church, we so often focus on the beginning warning and go on alert, fearing false prophets everywhere. Yet, we neglect the second half. There is nothing to fret over because Jesus provides a way to see through the deception. This means do not be fearful or paranoid, seeking false prophets in everyone, when there are clear steps. Paul writes to Timothy, “For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control” (2 Timothy 1:7). Use that power, love, and self-control God has given us to hold strong and reveal the truth. So, that leaves us asking ourselves, “What is this pop quiz I have to give?” “You will recognize them by their fruits.” All we have to do is look at the fruit that is shown. Do they resemble Christ? Are they showing the Fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22)? Christ loves us and prepares us, so do not worry; trust God.