The Difference Between True and False Prophets

Matthew 7:15-29

15 “Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. 16 By their fruit you will recognize them. You do not gather grapes from thorn bushes or figs from thistles, do you? 17 So then, every good tree produces good fruit, but a bad tree produces bad fruit. 18 A good tree cannot produce bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot produce good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not produce good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 So then, 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 in heaven. 22 Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and drive out demons in your name and perform many miracles in your name?’ 23 Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Depart from me, you evildoers.’

24 “Everyone who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on bedrock. 25 The rain came down, the rivers rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house. But it did not fall, because it was founded on bedrock. 26 Everyone who hears these words of mine but does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on sand. 27 The rain came down, the rivers rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell—it was completely destroyed.”

28 When Jesus finished speaking these words, the crowds were amazed at his teaching, 29 because he taught them as one who had authority, and not like their experts in the law.

There's a certain age when children enjoy playing a game called "true or false." The game goes something like this: "the sky is purple: true or false?"  The answer is false, of course. The sky is blue.

Learning how to recognize the truth is incredibly important. And this doesn't change as you get older. If anything, the truth becomes even more necessary. We live in a fallen world of lies and deception. There are many false teachers who lead people astray.

That's why today Jesus gives us careful instructions. He tells us how to identify the difference between true and false prophets. False prophets are ravenous wolves. They produce bad fruit. And their words are like sand.

True prophets, on the other hand, are not wolves. They are sheep. They produce good fruit. And the Word they proclaim is not shifting sand. It is God's rock solid Word. All who listen to this Word endure forever.

In the Old Testament, a prophet was called by God to speak His Word. In the New Testament, a person similar to this is a pastor. But not all prophets and pastors are the same. Some only pretend that they are called by God. They are fakes.

The first picture Jesus gives of these false teachers is a wolf. Not just any wolf, but a ravenous wolf. He's hungry. He's looking for some sheep to devour. However, the problem is that he is a wolf. He has fangs. His appearance is frightening.

And so what the wolf does is dress up like a sheep, and tries to act like a sheep. He can appear so gentle. But he’s just trying to get as close as he can to the flock. He comes to kill. His presence means death.

This is what fake prophets and pastors do. As predators, they're only pretending to be part of God's flock. They’re really unbelievers who want to destroy souls.

If bad prophets are wolves, then good prophets are sheep. Sheep believe and follow Jesus, the Good Shepherd. These prophets are authentic. They’re true. Their identity as sheep is inseparable to their calling.

These leaders do not attack God's flock. Instead they work to strengthen the sheep. True pastors care about the spiritual health of the congregation. Not because they want worldly fame and power. Instead, they care because they serve their Savior Jesus. They have been called by Him, and minister under His authority.

These sheep are the true pastors. But how do we tell a good pastor from a bad one? How do we tell true from false? In order to answer these questions, Jesus continues with the second picture in our sermon text. He says: "by their fruit you will recognize them."

A pastor's fruit is primarily his words. Now, it is true that good works matter. But works are not the most important thing. Instead, it's the words that he speaks. Does he say what is true or false?

For example, false pastors talk about God. They claim faith in Jesus. But in reality, they lie and deceive. Most teach that there is something you must "do" to get to heaven. Even if it's just a decision you make to follow Jesus. They don't share the comfort of the gospel. And when they do talk about Jesus, it’s only to give an example of how you should act. Some even teach that Jesus isn't true God. And still others claim that God doesn't condemn sin. They claim that homosexuality and transgenderism is ok. They say that living together before marriage is normal.

False teachers twist God's Word to fit their own selfish purposes. They often say what's popular in the culture. They can appear successful. And these false prophets can even perform miracles. Jesus says "false prophets will arise and will perform great signs and wonders so as to deceive even the elect, if it were possible."

And so Jesus warns: "watch out!" Listen to what they say. Even though these prophets say "Lord, Lord," they are worthless trees that are cut down. Those who purposefully reject the truth and twist God's Word to their own purposes are burned in the fires of hell.

At the very least, the souls of those who listen to these false prophets are hurt and damaged. At the very worst, some who listen lose their faith and perish eternally.

But that's not the end of the story. There are also good prophets who bear good fruit. They declare God's Word in it's truth and purity. They properly divide the law and gospel, and administer the sacraments. These pastors preach the entirety of the Word, no matter the consequences, or what people think.

Through the preaching of faithful prophets, God the Holy Spirit reveals that both you and I are sinners. Then He lifts you up out of the pit of hell. He reveals Jesus, your Savior. Who lived a holy life in your place, died for you sins, and rose again. With this precious message, the Holy Spirit creates faith in your heart.

And this message is also, dear brothers and sisters in Christ, the most important thing in your life. God’s Word taught in its truth and purity is our greatest treasure. It is also the fruit of a faithful pastor, a true prophet.

Jesus says this about His Word: "Everyone who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on bedrock." A bedrock consists of solid rock. It's not going to move. It's firmly established. In a similar way the "bedrock" to which Jesus refers is God's Word. His Word is solid. It is the most powerful thing we have. Jesus even says: "The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life." And in first Peter we hear: "the word of the Lord endures forever."

Believers listen to His Words. This means doing what God's Words say even when it isn't popular. Such as rejecting certain teachings that the rest of the world embraces. This includes things such as same-sex marriage, transgenderism, evolution, and pro-choice messages about abortion. Even young children are capable of understanding that these things are false. In Deuteronomy it is written: "Put these words of mine in your hearts and in your soul, and tie them on your wrists as signs and as symbols on your forehead. Teach them to your children by talking about them when you sit in your house and when you travel on the road, when you lie down and when you get up."

But those who listen to God's Word's without faith are foolish. Jesus explains this is like building a house on sand. When the storms come, there is a complete and utter collapse.

It can be easy to point our fingers at others. But the sad reality is that we all have a false prophet within our own heart. We all have a sinful nature that wants to build on the sand. If you want proof, just think about your attitude about coming to church, or reading the Bible at home. Or maybe you pick and choose what you want to believe in the Bible. Maybe some things that God says are so different from the culture you live in that it’s easier to just go along with everyone else, than listen to what God says. Or maybe you misquote Scripture to serve your own selfish purposes. Repent of these sins. And turn to Jesus, the perfect and true prophet.

He came to take our place, and live the life we can not.  He always made God's Word of truth His highest priority. He taught the Word with power and authority. He listened and obeyed. For every time that you build upon the sand, Jesus remained constant and firm. And not only that, but then He died for your sins. Including the times you have failed to watch out for false prophets. And the times you have failed to make God's Word first priority in your heart and home, or misquoted Scripture to serve your own purposes.

Today, His word of forgiveness reaches out and touches your soul. As the perfect and true prophet He declares: “Your sins are forgiven.” It is also here in God's Word, proclaimed by faithful prophets, that you have strength to withstand this life's rainy storms, turbulent rivers, and powerful winds. Even at the moment of death. You are built upon Christ and His Words. He remains firm, even when you waver. You will not fall down. You remain standing unto everlasting life.

Thanks be to God that by faith in Jesus, you are built on the solid rock of God's Word. Thanks be to God that we have fellow members whom we are united with around the Word and Sacrament. Today we are blessed to receive into our midst new members, who are committed to God's Abiding Word. It is here at church that we continue to be grounded firmly in the word. We have the truth. It is here, in the Lord's Supper, where we receive Jesus' true body and blood for the forgiveness of sins. It is here where you are strengthened during any trial in life. In prioritizing God's Word and sacraments, you have peace that surpasses understanding. In Hebrews you are assured: “For God has said: I will never leave you, and I will never forsake you. So then we say with confidence: The Lord is my helper, and I will not be afraid.”

Dear fellow redeemed, you can tell what’s true and false. You have God’s Word! In it, Jesus tells us how to distinguish between true and false prophets. The difference can be a matter of life and death. False prophets are wolves, produce bad fruit, and their words are empty. True prophets, on the other hand, are God's own sheep, produce good fruit, and proclaim the bedrock for your souls. Embrace God's Word! Listen with all your heart. The rain will come, the rivers will rise, the wind will blow, but you will stand. You have God's eternal Words of life. This is most certainly true. In Christ's name, Amen.

June 11th, 2023

Pastor Samuel Johnson