Beware of False Prophets Matthew 7:15

Matthew shared how Jesus told His disciples,“all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do you even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets. Enter you in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leads to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leads unto life, and few there be that find it”, and in chapter seven and verse fifteen of his book, Matthew shared how Jesus told His disciples,“beware of false prophets” where we read:

Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing,

but inwardly they are ravening wolves.

The verse reads, “ Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, ...” Matthew began with the word, “beware” or “moreover and be aware, attentive and caring” “of false prophets” which means “pertaining to one who by acting the part of a divinely inspired prophet utters falsehoods under the name of divine prophecies and is a pretended fore-teller or religious imposter”, “which come” which means “who appear, arise. establish and show forth themselves” “to you” or “toward the disciples” “in sheep's clothing” which refers to “people who are dressed in, have garments of, and wear cloaks belonging to tame animal accustomed to graze, small cattle ”. Jesus warned His disciples concerning people who made their appearance as though they were “sheep” or like the disciples but were actually “pretending imposters”.

The verse continues, “... but inwardly they are ravening wolves. ” Matthew added the word, “but” or “moreover and” “inwardly” which refers to “from within or inside their souls” “they are ravening wolves” or “the pretending imposters are rapacious and extorting cruel, greedy and destructive men”. Jesus shared how the souls of these “imposters'” were actually “greedy and cruel”.

When we think through Matthew's words in this verse, we see how the disciples were to use their “discerning judgment” to determine if “prophets” were true or “false prophets”. They were not to be deceived by these pernicious men who desired to “prey” upon the “sheep” rather than feed them. Jesus knew there would be people who would seek to take advantage of His disciples, and they were not to be ignorant of their “greedy” ways, and when a person receives Jesus Christ into their lives, they receive His Holy Spirit who is able to help them know the difference between a “true” prophet and a “fake”.

Next time Jesus tells His disciples, “you shall know them by their fruits”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

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