Discerning True from False
Every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit.
Matthew 7:17
The Didache, one of the earliest Christian writings after the New Testament, gives several guidelines for discerning true from false prophets. First, a true prophet will not wear out his welcome but will move on, tending to his ministry and mission. But a false prophet may hang around indefinitely, concerned only about serving his own interests.
Second, unlike the false prophet, the true prophet is averse to excessive appeals for money. He is content with support for the basic needs of life and ministry.
Third, a true prophet’s lifestyle will correspond to the righteous standards he teaches. A false prophet very likely will teach one thing and practice another.
A true minister of the gospel will demonstrate what Paul wrote, “For we are not, as so many, peddling the word of God; but as of sincerity, but as from God, we speak in the sight of God in Christ” (2 Cor 2:17).
MacArthur, J. (2001). Truth for today : A daily touch of God's grace (Page 251). Nashville, Tenn.: J. Countryman.
Lessons Learned: False teachers are, at their core, liars and deceivers. So no matter how they try to hide their true nature, they will eventually bear the rotten fruit of their rotten hearts. "Can a fig tree, my brethren, produce olives, or a vine produce figs? Nor can salt water produce fresh" (Jam 3:12). Their teachings may appear correct on the surface, but inside, there will be heresy that those with right doctrine will recognize.
Applications: To avoid false doctrine, you do not have to study every form of false teaching, you just need to study right doctrine. Then you will be able to recognize what matches from what doesn't. You will be able to separate the trees which bear good fruit from those that bear bad fruit. Be discerning. Compare every teacher's words to scripture and see if their living sincerely matches what they preach. A false teacher's motives are self-centered, but a true preacher of God's word will seek to glorify God and expand God's kingdom.
Prayer Subjects: Pray forwisdom and discernment to recognize false teaching. Pray for boldness to confront and correct error when I see it. Pray that I would be diligent to study scripture, so that I would lead a life that reflects a heart which seeks to please God and build up His kingdom.
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Matthew 7:17
The Didache, one of the earliest Christian writings after the New Testament, gives several guidelines for discerning true from false prophets. First, a true prophet will not wear out his welcome but will move on, tending to his ministry and mission. But a false prophet may hang around indefinitely, concerned only about serving his own interests.
Second, unlike the false prophet, the true prophet is averse to excessive appeals for money. He is content with support for the basic needs of life and ministry.
Third, a true prophet’s lifestyle will correspond to the righteous standards he teaches. A false prophet very likely will teach one thing and practice another.
A true minister of the gospel will demonstrate what Paul wrote, “For we are not, as so many, peddling the word of God; but as of sincerity, but as from God, we speak in the sight of God in Christ” (2 Cor 2:17).
MacArthur, J. (2001). Truth for today : A daily touch of God's grace (Page 251). Nashville, Tenn.: J. Countryman.
Lessons Learned: False teachers are, at their core, liars and deceivers. So no matter how they try to hide their true nature, they will eventually bear the rotten fruit of their rotten hearts. "Can a fig tree, my brethren, produce olives, or a vine produce figs? Nor can salt water produce fresh" (Jam 3:12). Their teachings may appear correct on the surface, but inside, there will be heresy that those with right doctrine will recognize.
Applications: To avoid false doctrine, you do not have to study every form of false teaching, you just need to study right doctrine. Then you will be able to recognize what matches from what doesn't. You will be able to separate the trees which bear good fruit from those that bear bad fruit. Be discerning. Compare every teacher's words to scripture and see if their living sincerely matches what they preach. A false teacher's motives are self-centered, but a true preacher of God's word will seek to glorify God and expand God's kingdom.
Prayer Subjects: Pray forwisdom and discernment to recognize false teaching. Pray for boldness to confront and correct error when I see it. Pray that I would be diligent to study scripture, so that I would lead a life that reflects a heart which seeks to please God and build up His kingdom.
Listen to this entry
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