
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
- Watch out for “
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.
- What do false prophets or false teachers
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.
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.
- Good
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?
Use biblical truth as your
(Ps 119:11; Jms 3:17)Pay attention to the
(John 16:13a)Consider the
Consider the
Realize what shows on the outside of a person: their behavior, speech, and choices is a strong
Don’t be enticed or
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