Steven A. Bush - October 30, 2022
Beware of False Prophets & False Gospels
Matthew 7:15-20 records Jesus' words from the Sermon on the Mount: "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." (ESV) False prophets are found throughout the OT. Jesus likewise confronted them in His day and the apostles and authors of the NT faced them also. Most of the creeds and confessions of the church down through the centuries are dealing with errant doctrines propagated by heretical teachers. False gospels are also aplenty. In Galatians 1:8-9 Paul cryptically writes: "But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed." (ESV) The truth matters! And we're told to beware of those who speak otherwise! Falsehood is never good news!
Scripture References: Matthew 7:15-20, Hebrews 4:12, Matthew 12:33-37, 1 John 4:1, Galatians 1:8-9, 1 Corinthians 15:1-4