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Sermon on the Mount: Beware False Prophets

Matthew 7:13-29 NIV

13 “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. 14 But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.

  1. Two Gates: The point of decision to follow or to reject Christ and His Word; everyone is faced with this decision at some point, though many passively reject it, not even perceiving their hour of opportunity.
  2. Two Roads: The way of life in keeping with that decision; it is easy to please the flesh and follow the path of least resistance and many will applaud you along the way, whilst temptations, tribulations and negative influencers are constant for those on the narrow road.
  3. Two Crowds: The two kinds of travelers exist alongside each other in this life, but the differences between them become clear in the course of time, with the wide path travelers often persecuting those on the narrow path (Galatians 4:29).
  4. Two Destinations: The outcomes of these respective decisions; our decisions in this life have eternal consequences.

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.

21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ 23 Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’

The Fruit of a False Prophet

  1. Preaches a different gospel (2 Corinthians 11:4; Galatians 1:6-9)
  2. Preaches a different Christ (2 Corinthians 11:4; 1 John 2:22-23; Deuteronomy 18:18-19)
  3. Operates in a different spirit (2 Corinthians 11:4; 1 Corinthians 12:1-3; 2 Thessalonians 2:9)
  4. Preys on the weak-minded and carnal (2 Timothy 3:6-7; 2 Peter 2:18)
  5. Appeals to the flesh, whether in legalism or in licentiousness (2 Timothy 4:3; 2 Peter 2:13-14; Galatians 5:19-21; 6:13)
  6. Commit sin with the congregation directly (2 Peter 2:13-14; Revelation 2:20-22)
  7. Boasts of spiritual insights, but are spiritual neophytes (Matthew 15:14; 23:16, 24; 2 Peter 2:3; Colossians 2:18; Jeremiah 23:32)
  8. Promise false peace when there is no peace (Jeremiah 6:14; 8:11; 2 Peter 2:19; Jude 12)
  9. Create cults of personality around themselves (Galatians 4:17)
  10. Sow disorder and discord (Galatians 5:15; James 3:13-15)
  11. Flattering, persuasive speakers (2 Corinthians 11:5-6; Romans 16:18; Jude 16)
  12. Despise authority and accountability (2 Peter 2:10)
  13. Are antichrist- everything opposite of Jesus! (1 John 2:18-19; John 10:7-10)

Tests of a Prophet

  1. Is his life righteous? (vv. 21-23; 2 Timothy 3:6; 2 Peter 2:14, 18-22; Jude 4, 16-19)
  2. Does he teach false doctrines? (1 Corinthians 14:37; 1 Timothy 4:1-6; 2 Timothy 3:7-8; 2 Peter 2:1; Jude 4)
  3. Do his prophecies come to pass? (Deuteronomy 18:21-22; John 4:16-19; 1 Corinthians 14:24-25)
  4. Does he seek personal gain? (Numbers 22-24; 31:8; 2 Peter 2:2, 14-16; Jude 11)

24 “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. 26 But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. 27 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.”

28 When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching, 29 because he taught as one who had authority, and not as their teachers of the law.

The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among you, from your fellow Israelites. You must listen to him.

Deuteronomy 18:15