Week 37 - September 8-14, 2024: False Prophets

This week’s daily readings:

September 8-14, 2024

This week’s devotional:

False Prophets

By Pastor Frank Albert

Scripture:

“So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the

Law and the Prophets.

“Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to

destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the

way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.

“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 7:12-20 (ESV)

Reflection:

In the Gospel of Matthew, the “Golden Rule” is followed by a warning about false prophets who cannot bear good fruit. Jesus is clear that few people actually choose the narrow way – the right way – which is to do to others what we would want done to us. He even says that this IS what the law and the prophets say we should do. If the entire law and prophetic revelation of God is summarized by the Golden Rule, and Jesus warns us about those that bear bad fruit, we would be wise to pay attention to who we are listening to and following.

In the church, it usually works best not to bring up political issues, but it is reasonable to apply Scripture to modern society. Most people have strong opinions about this leader or that, and I think Jesus knew this would be the case. Although we cannot expect non-Christians to abide by Jesus’s words, we should

carefully weigh those persons that have influence in our society. We must do this, not because they say they follow Jesus, but because we do.

Jesus says that, ultimately, people will be known by the fruit they produce, no matter what they profess. It is appropriate to measure leaders this way because they have power only as God has allowed it. Jesus is very clear: trees (prophets, or leaders) that don’t bear good fruit should be cut down. In our society, this would be voting them out (or never voting them in). Jesus maintained a consistent place of authority over world leaders, never buying in to their worldly power structures, but instead giving warnings about them like these in Matthew 7. We must be faithful to his word and measure rightly the fruit that we see.

Prayer:

Lord, make the fruit of my life a beautiful offering as a healthy tree would give. Forgive me for trusting and promoting leaders that bear bad fruit. Give me the courage to be faithful in following your words and, most of all, give me the strength to love others as I want to be loved. Amen