Matthew 7:15-20
“Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. By their fruit, you will recognize them. You do not gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles, do you? So then, every good tree produces good fruit, but a bad tree produces bad fruit. A good tree cannot produce bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot produce good fruit. Every tree that does not produce good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. So then, by their fruit, you will recognize them.
Dear Heavenly Father,
Thank you for giving us this warning about false prophets. Today, we see them all around us using your word for their own personal gain and ego. They make their requests on your behalf, telling their listeners to do this or give that for their salvation. Their listeners are encouraged to chase after working for salvation. These wolves focus on anything other than feeding their sheep the truth. Instead, they manipulate the people and scripture for their own benefit. All the while destroying those people’s faith, placing the object of their faith on actions and not the Savior. Faith in anything other than Christ and him crucified; is a false religion that will one day be cut down and thrown into the fire.
Lord, please give us discerning hearts to follow shepherds daily, feeding us your word in its truth and purity. Nothing we do will help us come to faith; your Son has already done the work for our salvation. He took our guilt and shame to the cross for us and suffered the punishment and humility for our sins. Jesus, our Good Shepherd, said, “I did not come here to be served. But to serve and give my life as a ransom for many.” Please help us see the fruits of your true under-shepherds; they have their sleeves rolled up, with their hands out ready to serve your people. Thank you also for giving us these faithful under-shepherds to attend to us. As Matthew recorded, “By their fruits, you will recognize them.” Amen.
Pastor Roger Emmons
Wolves only want to manipulate and consume, only worried about their own bellies. They are not afraid to manipulate God’s word for their own benefit. God has placed shepherds here to feed and water the flock daily with his word.