Tuesday, July 18, 2017

Today's Passage - Matthew 7:15-20

Matthew 7:15-20
 
"Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thorn bushes, or figs from thistles? Likewise every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.
   
The Lord taught us how to discern false prophets by the fruits they bear.  Fruit means a few things: First, what truth they teach, whether their teaching complies with the complete truth.  Some teaches partial truth.  For example, some keep emphasizing the time the Lord will turn.  But Bible clearly teaches that no one knows the time that the Lord will come. So anyone who prophets the time the Lord will come is not conforming to the complete truth.  We must judge whether the truth they are teaching conforms to the whole truth of the Bible.
 
Second, their life testimony.  Are they living according to their own teachings?  Not only that, do they live according to the complete teaching of God?  Some people may live according to what's been taught.  However, their behaviors are full of judgment of others, conviction of others. Their lives do not reflect the whole truth of God.  When you see these people, you must observe whether they try to help others selflessly, or whether they convict others' sins day and night to boast their righteousness. Do they try to glorify themselves? Or do they try to empathize with others? To discern what they are, we need to see their testimony in life.   
 
Third, the people they lead.  Although students are not above their teacher, when you look at the people they lead, it reflects the teachings of their teacher.  Look at how their disciples live, you can see whether their teacher's teaching is coming from God or not.  May God help us by giving us the wisdom of discernment. At time that is, which is full of heresies and false teachings, many people use the words in Bible to confuse others.  May God give us sufficient wisdom to discern the truth, so that we can stand upright in this wicked time and be a glorious witness.

Pray with Pastor Tong Liu

Oh Lord, may you give us sufficient wisdom to discern what is from you and what is from our enemies among all the teachings. Let us know your words well and help us to stand firmly on the foundation of truth, so that we may resist accusations and attacks from evil doers, and live a victorious life daily.  I thank you and I pray in the victorious name of Jesus Christ, Amen!  
 
     
  

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