Matthew 7:15-20

Matthew 7:15-20
Immediately after the warning that there are two gates and two ways, Jesus cautions that there are those who will try to take you down the wrong road. The disciple of Christ must be discriminating in how he esteems and evaluates those who teach. Can it possibly be that there are ministers of the gospel who are actually false teachers? Absolutely. For many, that is a shocking truth. Paul states, “For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also transform themselves into ministers of righteousness” (2 Cor. 11:14-15).

So what do these false teachers look like? They look like sheep. They look like followers of Christ. Here is the danger. Most people think that a minister of Satan will appear evil. No, they will appear to be righteous; they appear as sheep. One cannot determine their truthfulness or their character simply by their personality and their fair speeches. They are only known by their fruit. Is the lifestyle of this teacher upright and good? Is what this person teaches in accordance with the word of God? It may take diligent effort to search the scriptures to know the difference, but one’s eternity is at stake.

The fierceness of these false teachers is indicated by the fact that inwardly they are ravening wolves. They are interested in satisfying their appetites and think nothing of destroying the flock in order to obtain their goal. Notice that Jesus uses the word “beware.” The implication is that most are not aware and that the danger is serious. None of us would casually walk through a jungle filled with wild animals. But most refuse to acknowledge that there are wolves all around us.

However, some love to be deceived. The truth is difficult and hard to swallow because it is narrow and restrictive. Error is much more pleasant because it allows us to do as we please; it is the broad way that leads to destruction.
Berry Kercheville