#132 By their fruits

From Spiritual Breadcrumbs, by Samuel Froehlich

(Matthew 7:15-20) Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.

On Matthew 7:15-20. The Scripture warns us so often and urgently of the false prophets. Why? They lead the people to corruption instead of to the straight path of Christ. You ask, how can one know them? “By their fruits,” saith the Lord. Whoever marks this one sign can test all teachers without being deceived. If a teacher preaches year in and year out and everything remains dead, then he is surely a false prophet; the Lord does not confirm his word, for he speaks only in his own name. It does not matter if the people say, “He has lovely sermons” and so forth – rather, you must regard the fruits and ask: “Where are the converted?” That is of course not the work of man, but exactly because it is the work of God to convert men, it is a false prophet whose word has no power and fruit. One senses and observes these deceptive workers quickly, who disguise themselves as preachers of righteousness, whoever they may be. As soon as one touches them, they prick with their thorns and thistles. In sum: Where only morals are preached, everything remains dead, but where Christ is preached, the dead become living.