Verse of the Day 7/1

Through the Bible - Job 24-25, Acts 11   Good morning, I'm sure that we all know about the "wolf in sheep's clothing" and have heard stories of it since childhood. For today's verse we'll go to Matthew 7 where Jesus warns his followers to beware of false teachers who come to us "in sheep's clothing".   Matt 7:15 "Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves.  16 You will know them by their fruits.   NKJV John MacArthur writes that these false prophets "are not simply wrong teachers, propogating a different philosophy or alternative theology.  They are spiritually dangerous and we should not expose our souls and minds to their perverse, poisonous influence."   The wolf seeks out the stragglers, the weak and defenseless and preys upon them, to devour them.   You can see false prophets acting this out on TV, asking for $1000 donations and they will pray for you and you will be healed.  You also see the "prosperity gospel proclaimed with the message that God wants you to be wealthy and free from all illness.  But what about the ones that become ill or come under their teaching and run into hardships?  What hope can they offer to the terminally ill that do not find healing here?   MacArthur also notes that the false prophets "deceive not by disguising themselves as sheep, but by impersonating true shepherds, they promote the wide gate and the wide way."  Remember the "narrow gate" from last week?   What are we to do, how do we avoid these wolves?  Jesus half brother Jude gives us good advice.    Jude 20-23  But you, dear friends, carefully build yourselves up in this most holy faith by praying in the Holy Spirit, staying right at the center of God's love, keeping your arms open and outstretched, ready for the mercy of our Master, Jesus Christ. This is the unending life, the real life! Go easy on those who hesitate in the faith. Go after those who take the wrong way. Be tender with sinners, but not soft on sin.   (from THE MESSAGE) Read this short passage below.  Twice in it we are told that we can identify these false prophets, these wolves, by their fruit.  Unfortunately, this fruit may be broken hearts and lives while they take in a profit.   In Christ, Mike   Matt 7:15-21 You Will Know Them by Their Fruits (Matt 12:33; Luke 6:43-45) 15 "Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves.  16 You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles?  17 Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit.  18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit.  19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.  20 Therefore by their fruits you will know them.   NKJV