Watch out for false prophets
15 “Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves.16 By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? 17 Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit.18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.20 Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them. Mathew 7: 15-20
Daily devotionals
Jesus repeatedly insists on the danger arising from false prophets who lead many to spiritual ruin. In the Old Testament there are incidences of such bad shepherds who wreak havoc on the people of God. Jeremiah for instance, denounces the impiety of those who prophesied by Baal and led Israel astray, they speak visions of their own minds, not from the mouth of the Lord. This day, there are undoubtedly very many teachers and preachers of error. Unfortunately, we make ourselves vulnerable to the trick of these confused confusers because we are so desperate.
Such false preachers produce an easy religion which takes the Cross out of the Christian life and eliminates the hard sayings of Jesus, and pushes the judgements of God into the background and makes us think lightly of sin. We are invited to retrace our steps back to the truth and not to accumulate for ourselves false teachers who will make us abandon the truth to follow myths (C.f 2 Tim. 4:3). We are challenged to be careful not to be exploited or led astray by the eloquence of carrier speakers whose target is our pockets not our soul. We must learn to think for ourselves in accordance with the truth taught by Jesus handed on to the Apostles.
May the Lord remember His solemn covenant, renewed and consecrated by the blood of the Lamb, so that we may obtain forgiveness for their sins and a continued growth in grace! Amen!! it is well with you!!!
Daily bible readings:
First readings:2 King 22:8-13.23:1-3
Gospel:Mathew 7:15-20.
Daily quotes
“What we fail to realize is we often become like Pharisees in our ruthless attempts to identify Pharisees (and impostors). While indeed some people use the old laws of religious pride to tear down men of God, others use the new laws of anti-religious anger to tear down men of God.”
― Criss Jami, Healology
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