The Jesus Way

Part 14 – Good Fruit vs Bad Fruit

September 24, 2023

• Instruction and warning go together.

Matthew 7:15-20
Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them. NIV

1. Watch out for “
   Reveal Answer
   _
   Reveal Answer
   _.”

Matt 7:15a Watch out for false prophets. NIV
Matt 7:15 Be on your guard against false religious teachers…” (Phillips)

A genuine spiritual teacher is one who believes-in and teaches the inerrant Word of God – the Scriptures. And abides by biblical principles and biblical truths.

1. What do false prophets or false teachers
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   _?

Matt 7:15b …They [false prophets] come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. NIV

“False people” work to deceive you.

• False teachers are not what they appear to be.

• What you are on the inside your: heart, thoughts, desires, beliefs, and character define who you are.

1. Reveal Answer
   _
   Reveal Answer
   you tell what is on the inside of someone?

Matt 7:16 By their fruit you will recognize them.

• Fruit is the outward manifestation (showing) of inward working.
What is someone about? Look at their fruit: their actions, what they do, the choices they make and what they produce.

1. Good
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   _ good and bad produces bad.

Matt 7:16b,17 Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. NIV

Matt 7:18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit.

You cannot fake character. (Matt 7:19,20)

                   How Do I Heed Jesus’ Warning?

1. Use biblical truth as your

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   _ or yard-stick in life.
   (Ps 119:11; Jms 3:17)

2. Pay attention to the

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   of the Holy Spirit.
   (John 16:13a)

3. Consider the

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   _ of someone who is trying to influence you. (Gal 5:22-23)

4. Consider the

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   _ of someone who is trying to influence you.

5. Realize what shows on the outside of a person: their behavior, speech, and choices is a strong

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   of what’s on the inside.

6. Don’t be enticed or

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   _ by someone who is trying to manipulate you into a bad decision or bad behavior.

7. Reveal Answer
   Reveal Answer
   into any significant decision, especially when it comes to relationships or money.

   (Listen/watch crossroadspodcast.vegas or www.crossroadschurch.vegas