Matthew 7:15
Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will recognize them by their fruits.
The question is not whether you ever hear the voice of false teachers. The question is whether you can discern which messages are false. If you watch any television, listen to any radio or pod-casts, keep up on the news, or interact at depth with just about anyone in modern society, you are being exposed to some form of false teaching. If you cannot identify any voices you hear as false, it’s not because you aren’t being exposed, but because you’re falling for it in some way or another.
Jesus said, “False christs and false prophets will arise and perform signs and wonders, to lead astray, if possible, the elect. But be on guard; I have told you all things beforehand.” (Mark 13:22-23; Matthew 24:24)
What we might find surprising – both from Jesus and his apostles – is how revealing the everyday lives of false teachers are about their falseness. They are not just false in their teaching, but also in their living. Beneath their doctrinal error, however subtle and deceptive, we will find ethical compromises in tow. And those don’t usually come out overnight; they take time. But they will come out. Jesus says it twice so that we won’t miss it: “You will recognize them by their fruits.” His warning may sound clear and simple at first, but as we all know, trees don’t bear fruit overnight. Eventually, however, the fruit (or lack thereof) will be manifest. And so it is with ethical compromise. What may begin as mere whispers in a private room will soon enough be proclaimed from the housetops (Luke 12:3). And so Paul instructs leaders not only to pay careful attention to their people and to their teaching, but also to their own lives (Acts 20:28; 1 Timothy 4:16).
In particular, 2 Peter 2 is remarkable in how it fleshes out Jesus’ warning about the fruit of false teaching. Peter gives a litany of descriptions about compromised lives. Verses 1 and 3 mention the generalities “destructive heresies” and “false words” – which indeed relate to teaching – but then, nothing further in this chapter focuses on their teaching. Everything else is about their individual lives.
As we come closer to the election for President, we find many inner truths being revealed about both candidates. Luke 12:2 says, “There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known.” If you have been following the news media and listening to the statements being made by both candidates, we see many things that were hidden being exposed. I feel that this election is a sad day for Americans. I personally feel that either candidate should not be elected but will have to trust in God’s ultimate wisdom in all things. We as Christians must discern correctly. And we can only do this through the Word of God. Jesus is not only the greatest and truest teacher who ever lived, but he also is the great rescuer, who has redeemed us from sin and will keep those who are truly his from soul-destroying error.
