Spotting A Counterfeit
Matthew 7:15-20
[15] “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. [16] You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? [17] So, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit. [18] A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit. [19] Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. [20] Thus you will recognize them by their fruits.
DEEP SHEET: Sermon Study Questions.
1. What does it mean that Jesus is THE true prophet?
How is he also THE healthy tree that bears good fruit? (Deuteronomy 18:15, 18-19; John 15:1-11)
2. In what ways are Christians sometimes naïve about false prophets/teachers?
Why should their presence in the church not surprise us? (2 Peter 2:1-3; 1 John 4:1; Acts 20:29-31; Jude 4)
3. How does Jesus characterize false prophets in this passage?
4. Why must we “beware,” and what does it look like to do so? (John 10:12)
5. What are some of the “fruits” by which we can recognize these ravenous wolves and diseased trees? (John 15:1-11; Galatians 5:22-23; Matthew 5:3, 17)
6. What does the preceding passage (vv. 13-14) imply about the kind of teaching that comes from these false prophets?
7. How does 2 Timothy 3:16-17 help us to discern true from false teaching?
