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…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
(Matthew 7:15-16, 18-20).

Look out for false prophets.  Know that they will not appear as ferocious wolves, but will come to you in sheep’s clothing.  They might tell you that they prophesy in the name of Jesus, drive out demons in the name of Jesus, and perform many miracles in the name of Jesus.  However, there is one thing that a false prophet will not be able to mimic, especially at home amongst his family—the Fruit of the Spirit.  Jesus came to crucify Self with its sinful nature to display His Fruit in our lives, so others may recognize Him.

BUT THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT IS LOVE, JOY, PEACE, PATIENCE, KINDNESS, GOODNESS, FAITHFULNESS, GENTLENESS AND SELF-CONTROL…THOSE WHO BELONG TO CHRIST JESUS HAVE CRUCIFIED THE SINFUL NATURE WITH ITS PASSIONS AND DESIRES
(Galatians 5:22-24).

Since a good tree cannot bear bad fruit and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit, you will recognize someone by his fruit. Therefore, watch out whom you trust.  Observe them, especially at home with their family and friends. Watch if their lives display the Fruit of Love, Peace, Patience, and Self-control towards those who are closest to them.

Likewise, watch out that you do not become a false prophet.  By your fruit you will also be recognized.

MANY WILL SAY TO ME ON THAT DAY, ‘LORD, LORD, DID WE NOT PROPHESY IN YOUR NAME, AND IN YOUR NAME DRIVE OUT DEMONS AND PERFORM MANY MIRACLES?’ THEN I WILL TELL THEM PLAINLY, ‘I NEVER KNEW YOU. AWAY FROM ME, YOU EVILDOERS!’
(Matthew 7:22-23).

What fruit do those prophets that you trust so much bear at home? Are they real prophets, or are they wolves in sheep’s clothing? Submit them to the Lord Jesus, and He will tell you the Truth.

What fruit do you bear at home? How do you treat your wife, your husband, your children, your close friends? Surrender your Self to the Lord Jesus, and He will fill you with the Fruit of His Spirit.

PRAYER: Lord Jesus, let me not trust false prophets and let me not be a false prophet. Fill me with the Fruit of Your Spirit, so others may recognize You in me through the Fruit that I bear.