Matthew 7:15-23
Known by Their Fruit
Read the passage
15Beware of false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves.
16By their fruit you will recognize them. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles?
17Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit.
18A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit.
19Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.
20So then, by their fruit you will recognize them.
21Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of My Father in heaven.
22Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’
23Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you workers of lawlessness!’
Berean Standard Bible
Read aloud
Jesus warns his disciples to beware of false prophets who come in sheep's clothing but are inwardly ravenous wolves. He gives them a test: a healthy tree bears good fruit, and a diseased tree bears bad fruit. The test is not charisma, confidence, or the number of people gathered. It is the character and consequence of the life being produced.
Jesus says that not everyone who calls him “Lord” will enter the kingdom, but the one who does the will of his Father. Some will point to prophecy, exorcisms, and mighty works, yet Jesus will say that he never knew them. Religious activity can be impressive while a person's life remains opposed to God's will.
This warning requires humility. We are not given permission to label everyone we dislike a false prophet, and we should not ignore credible harm because a leader is gifted. We can look for honesty, repentance, protection of the vulnerable, care for the poor, and consistency between teaching and conduct.
Every tree that fails to bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Jesus is not merely advising His hearers to choose better influences. He warns of a judgment in which impressive religious claims cannot protect a life of lawlessness.
The final verdict belongs to Jesus. People will address Him as Lord and appeal to what they have done in His name, yet He will say He never knew them. The Father’s will cannot be replaced by a list of achievements. His warning calls hearers to sincere faith and obedience, rather than confidence in their religious reputation.
Questions
1 How does Jesus tell his disciples to recognize false prophets?
AnswerJesus says to recognize them by their fruit. An appearance of gentleness can hide destructive conduct, just as sheep’s clothing can conceal a wolf.
2 Why are words and impressive works not enough?
AnswerJesus contrasts sheep's clothing with ravenous wolves, healthy and diseased trees, and verbal claims with actual obedience. He even mentions mighty works that do not prove a person belongs to him.
3 What kind of fruit should religious words produce?
AnswerThey should accompany doing the Father’s will. Jesus rejects claims of prophecy, exorcisms and miracles when those making them persist in lawlessness.
4 What influence on our household should we examine by its results?
AnswerConsider one teaching or influence shaping your household. Ask what it produces in actual relationships, seek a second wise perspective if harm is suspected, and take protective action when someone is at risk.
What This Means for Us
The most unsettling part of Jesus’ warning is that people can appeal to work done in His name and still hear that He never knew them. A record of religious activity cannot replace belonging to Him and doing the Father’s will.
Let this examine us before we use it to examine someone else. Is there a command we keep excusing ourselves from because we are busy serving? Confess it, receive correction and turn from it. When evaluating a teacher, look beyond a gifted presentation to the teaching and conduct it produces.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, give us discernment without pride. Help us recognize good fruit, take harm seriously, and make sure our own words about you are matched by repentance, mercy, truth, and protection for the vulnerable. Amen.