Thursday 27 February 2025
"You will know them by their fruits." (v. 16a)
Background
This week we are reading part of Jesus' Sermon on the Mount and yesterday Jesus spoke of choosing a hard road if we follow him (Matthew 7:13-14) and today is saying we should be beware of false prophets and will know them by the fruit of their actions.
Having entered through the narrow gate, the journey in the way of Jesus – the hard road – requires us to be discriminating with regard to the world around us and can involve difficult or uncomfortable choices. False prophets are attuned to our struggles but their purpose is not to support us but rather to inflate their own ego and reputation.
I grew up by the sea, where the beach was made up of pebbles. The only time we ever saw sand was at low tide. How often, as we made our way into the sea, we wished we could find 'soft stones' to walk on! They don't exist of course, and neither does the illusion of 'comfortable discipleship' peddled by false prophets.
In the history of the Church, there have always been individuals and groups inside and outside the Church with cultural, political or economic influence who have sought to seduce Christian individuals or communities.
After Hitler came to power in 1933, the Nazi party sought to align the Lutheran Church to its values in the so-called 'German Church movement'. In May 1934 Christians opposed to these developments produced the Barmen Declaration – named after the place where they met.
The Declaration quotes John 10:1-2 about the danger to the sheep in the fold from thieves who climb in another way rather than entering by the gate. It then goes on to say that Jesus is the Lord of all aspects of personal life and that the message of the Church should not be influenced by current Nazi political convictions. This Christian opposition group had set out on a hard road!
Historic examples such as this focus on the issue but are not always close to our own lives and experiences. Today’s verses do not detail what the wolves disguised as sheep will say. We will know them by what they do. The discerning question is what fruit do they bear?
Does a popular preacher or church leader with a following encourage the diversity of the congregation – age, gender, colour, class? Does the well-thought of church officer demonstrate the fruit of the Spirit in their workplace and when at leisure?
To Ponder:
- Have you, or do you now with hindsight, see the presence and consequence of 'wolves' in the Church at any level?
- What measures help a congregation live and grow as a genuine flock?
- Is there any possibility you might not be nurturing the best 'fruit'?
Prayer
Merciful God, we confess that we have not loved you with our whole heart. We have rebelled against your love. We have not loved our neighbours, and we have refused to hear the cry of the needy. Forgive us, we pray. Free us for joyful obedience through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Bible notes author: The Revd Bob Sneddon
Bob Sneddon is a retired presbyter who lives on the south coast of England. He has had five varied circuit appointments over some 40 years and before that worked in India for a year. In retirement he is enjoying making a garden and walking.