Beware of False Prophets: Recognizing Deception and False Teachings
The passage from Matthew 7:15-20 warns against false prophets who may appear harmless but are actually destructive. It emphasizes discerning them by their fruits and highlights the dangers of following false teachers. The images further illustrate the impact of false teachings and the need to stay vigilant against deception in religious communities.
Download Presentation
Please find below an Image/Link to download the presentation.
The content on the website is provided AS IS for your information and personal use only. It may not be sold, licensed, or shared on other websites without obtaining consent from the author. If you encounter any issues during the download, it is possible that the publisher has removed the file from their server.
You are allowed to download the files provided on this website for personal or commercial use, subject to the condition that they are used lawfully. All files are the property of their respective owners.
The content on the website is provided AS IS for your information and personal use only. It may not be sold, licensed, or shared on other websites without obtaining consent from the author.
E N D
Presentation Transcript
Matthew 7:15-20 Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles? Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. . . .
Matthew 7:15-20 . . . A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Therefore by their fruits you will know them (NKJV).
Matthew 7:15-20 Controversy among brethren when I first began preaching over teachings of a highly respected man Led to separation and alienation between brethren once very close To some: dangerous false teacher Others: wise pioneer
Matthew 7:15-20 Still others: mistaken on issues not worthy to mark as a false teacher When more of his teachings became public, some of these eventually considered him a false teacher Sadly, repeated time and time again throughout church history
Matthew 7:15-20 Names change Personalities behind controversies change The scope and impact differs Issues involved change Jesus warns beware!
Beware of False Prophets There Will Be False Prophets 2 Peter 2:1-3 Who come to you (Matt. 7:15) Exploit you (2 Pet. 2:3) Can t imagine that this won t be a common problem
Beware of False Prophets There Will Be Many 1 John 4:1-3 Many will say (Matt. 7:21-23) Many will follow (2 Pet. 2:2) We must test and guard against new doctrines that rise in popularity
Beware of False Prophets They Will Appear Harmless Romans 16:17-18 Sheep s clothing. . .ravenous wolves (Matt. 7:15) Smooth things (Isa. 30:8-11) What appears innocent and tame can be spiritually deadly
Beware of False Prophets They Will Teach Things That Sound Good 1 Timothy 6:20-21 According to their own desires. . . itching ears (2 Tim. 4:1-5) Just because it sounds good doesn t make something the truth
Beware of False Prophets They Will Act in Secret Acts 20:28-31 Secretly bring in destructive heresies (2 Pet. 2:1) Lest his deeds should be exposed (John 3:20-21) Avoid those who hide their teaching
Beware of False Prophets They Will Lead People to Stray from the Faith Titus 1:10-11 False knowledge: strayed concerning the faith (1 Tim. 6:21) Cancer resurrection is past over throw the faith (2 Tim. 2:15-18) Subvert whole households (Titus 1:11)
Beware of False Prophets Identifying False Teachers Philippians 1:15-18 Some may teach truth in spite of personal shortcomings Some cause divisions and tear down God s people (Rom. 16:17) Some teach error mixed with just enough truth it s hard to see them as false teachers
Beware of False Prophets Identifying False Teachers 2 John 9-11 Contrary to the doctrine (Rom 16:17) Note those who cause divisions. . . avoid them (Rom. 16:17) Whose mouths must be stopped (Titus 1:11)
