“A good tree cannot produce bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot produce good fruit. Every tree that does not produce good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. In the same way, you will know these false prophets by what they do.” – Matthew 7:18-20
When one sees that they have begun following and/or teaching a false doctrine, they might consider their own fruit. What led to their belief in this false doctrine?
For me, personally, I can remember two things, acceptance and maybe, just maybe, a little laziness.
Twice, I can recall when I was tempted to give in to false teaching.
One, was with my dad. “If you go to that church just one more time, you’re out!”
I went, anyway. All during the service, though, I was tempted to leave, to go home, to tell my dad I’d never go back. I was tempted. It would mean I would at least have my dad.
I’d only just gotten him back a few years prior as by leaving my mom to come live with him was among my most traumatic experiences. I know this is why God hates divorce. It tears so much more than the flesh of those hearts who have given up.
First, her, now him, if I did not give up right now and go home to him.
I couldn’t.
Eternity’s horizon appeared behind our pastor on the stage that evening.
When I returned home, all of my belongings were scattered across the front yard.
God, though, and His Word, remained faithful.
Consider your fruit.
“Such men are not true apostles but are workers who lie. They change themselves to look like apostles of Christ.” – 2 Corinthians 11:13
“There used to be false prophets among God’s people, just as you will have some false teachers in your group. They will secretly teach things that are wrong—teachings that will cause people to be lost.” – 2 Peter 2:1
You’d think with 2000 years worth of warnings like these, those ‘teachers’ calling themselves ‘apostles’ and ‘prophets’ could have come up with something original.
