What Jesus thinks about fruit.

We live in a time when there are many people outside the church tearing us down, but the real danger for us is not outside our churches but inside.

Matthew 7:15-21 “Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will

know them by their fruits. Grapes are not gathered from thorn bushes nor figs from thistles, are they? So every good tree bears good

fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot produce bad fruit, nor can a bad tree produce good fruit.

Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. So then, you will know them by their fruit.”

Let’s understand what we are talking about.

The character of the tree determines the fruit. TYPE CONDITION

Let’s read some other Scriptures

2 Corinthians 11:13-15

2 Peter 2:1

Mark 13:22-23

1 John 4:1

2 Timothy 4:1-4

Does it seem to you that false teachers are a big deal in the Bible?

What helps you determine if someone is a false prophet?

1) What do they teach about Jesus? 2) What do they teach about Jesus’ part in saving someone?

3) What kind of lifestyle do they live? 4) What follows them?

So how can we spot the counterfeit teachers?

Know what the Bible teaches about Jesus.

Know what the Bible teaches about Jesus’ part in saving someone.

Determine what kind of lifestyle they live.

Determine what follows them.