False prophets

MATTHEW 7:15-20

JESUS said to His disciples: “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but underneath are ravenous wolves. By their fruits you will know them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? Just so, every good tree bears good fruit, and a rotten tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a rotten tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire. So by their fruits you will know them.”

REFLECTION BEWARE OF FALSE PROPHETS. Scriptures attest to the phenomenon of persons claiming to be prophets alongside the authentic messengers of God. The latter call the former “false prophets.” Since they come in “sheep’s clothing,” acting like the real prophets, they are hard to distinguish. Some indicators that they are false are: Their oracles do not come true, they give a false sense of security, and they avoid speaking the “hard truth” of the divine oracle.

With regard to the Christian message, false prophets are bent on preaching the easy way — hence, the easier way of following Jesus that guarantees good feelings and rewards. They embrace that part of the Gospel that makes life smooth and exciting: they have little or nothing to say about the demands of Jesus. They do not mention the cross. They love the advantages that leadership affords them.

Believers should beware of leaders who say only nice things and hide the painful truth about the faith. True prophets — like true friends — should be honest, even if honesty sometimes hurts.

Who are the friends who have been true to you? In what ways?

SOURCE: “365 Days with the Lord 2016,” ST. PAULS Philippines, 7708 St. Paul Rd., SAV, Makati City (Phils.); Tel.: 895-9701; Fax 895-7328; E-mail: books@stpauls.ph; Website: http://www.stpauls.ph.