Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. ~ Matthew 7:15-23

This truly is a sobering section of scripture. When the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7) is surveyed, we find Jesus teaching on the things that truly matter such as putting away sins (symbolically described as cutting off your hand and plucking out your eye), praying to be seen by the Father and not by men, fasting unto God and not unto men, giving as unto the Lord and not to be seen by men, etc.

Jesus gives these examples of what true faith in God is really all about, and does so in contrast to the hypocrisy of appearing religious (or spiritual) before men. It is in this context of real faith in God, as opposed to religious hypocrisy that we read the warning against false prophets, whom Jesus describes as coming in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are devouring wolves.

In particular, Jesus points out the corrupt fruits of these false prophets. If we have listened to Jesus’s previous words in his sermon on the mount, it doesn’t take long to determine what the bad fruit of false prophets actually is. Their motive is hypocrisy, and they are seeking to be seen as men rather than God. They want to draw men to themselves rather than draw them to Christ. They are a tree of corruption, and they do not produce the fruit of a pure and meek disposition that seeks only to please God.

Jesus condemns their fruit by saying, Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. ~ v 21-23

Now, it’s not really clear to me if Jesus is referring to those who follow false prophets, or if he is referring to the false prophets themselves, when he says, then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. I tend to think it applies to both. False prophets are self deceived, and those who follow them are deceived because they don’t consider their fruit as Jesus points out.

The claims of prophecy, casting out devils, and miraculous works is not spiritual fruit. False prophets deceive with these claims. Real fruit consists of our devotion to God and how we treat other people as the sermon of the mount repeatedly addresses. Although there will be some who claim to have done such exploits when they stand before Jesus, it will carry no weight. Only those who know him will enter the Kingdom of God.

The sad truth is, those who are deceived by false prophets will also attempt to prove they should enter God’s Kingdom because of these claims. Yet Jesus knows them who walk with him, and when we walk with Jesus’ prophecy, casting out demons, and the miraculous things pail in comparison to him. When Jesus is at the center, the heart will truly praise and rejoice in the Lord if a miracle happens. When our tree produces corrupt fruit, we boast in prophecy and miracles as if we are something. Therein lies the difference.

I find it interesting that in the two verses prior to the introduction to false prophets which come in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are devouring wolves, Jesus says, Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. ~ v. 13-14 

Jesus himself is the straight gate and narrow way, and when we follow Jesus our devotion to God is sincere from the heart, and there is no boasting or self gratification in the spectacular exploits that false prophets pervert to deceive others with. However, when authentic exploits are experienced, those on the straight path will boast only in the Lord!