Mathew 7:15

[missmuffet]

What are your feelings about this?

Matt. 7:13-23

The Narrow Way

¹³ “Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. ¹⁴ Because^[a] narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.

You Will Know Them by Their Fruits

¹⁵ “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. ¹⁶ You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles? ¹⁷ Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. ¹⁸ A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. ¹⁹ Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. ²⁰ Therefore by their fruits you will know them.

I Never Knew You

²¹ “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. ²² Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ ²³ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’

Edited March 21, 2013 by GoldenEagle
<<< To add passage in context. >>>

[appy]

There are other scriptures that tell us to use caution on those who not only claim to be prophets, but teachers as well. Just because someone says they are a minister does not automatically mean that they are forthright. All things that are taught and said by anyone should be carefully thought about and weighed and compared to with scripture. The first old testament story that comes to mind to illustrate this is the old prophet in 1 Kings 13:18 . In short, he tells another prophet he is one and all is well. The other prophet fell for it hook, line, and sinker. Even though he heard from God directly to not eat or drink anything for the time being. The bible directly tells us to test the spirits and people who teach , prophecy, etc. . . . for the reason that we can be mislead as this prophet did in 1st kings.

[Jayyycuuup]

Mathew 7:15

"Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves."

Not sure exactly what your reaching for bopeep. . . My thoughts are exactly what it says. . People proclaiming to be "Christians" but spread deceit and speak falsely- contrary to the teaching of Christ.

Edited March 21, 2013 by OneLight
... quoted post was removed

[gdemoss]

As a new Christian I had no idea what one of these looked like and ended up chewed up and spit out before I had an opportunity to run. There are many prophets, those who claim to speak on behalf of God, who simply live according to their flesh though it isn't exactly apparent on the outside. They seem to have a handle on the whole Christian life but the truth of the matter is that they are merely preachers of righteousness and not doers. Their works are done to be seen of men because they know where their bread is buttered. This one goes along with the white washed tombs filled with dead men's bones verse.

[Qnts2]

As a new Christian I had no idea what one of these looked like and ended up chewed up and spit out before I had an opportunity to run. There are many prophets, those who claim to speak on behalf of God, who simply live according to their flesh though it isn't exactly apparent on the outside. They seem to have a handle on the whole Christian life but the truth of the matter is that they are merely preachers of righteousness and not doers. Their works are done to be seen of men because they know where their bread is buttered. This one goes along with the white washed tombs filled with dead men's bones verse.

I'll apologize for maybe taking this off topic. But the verse about white washed tombs has a history.

We are approaching the time which coincides with the triumphant entry of Jesus. This was about a week before Passover.

Passover is a Holy day when the people of Israel are commanded to go up to Jerusalem, so a city with a population of about 60,000 had over a million people arriving in the week before Passover. There was a massive preparation for the influx.

It was believed that the Messiah was to arrive around Passover, and enter thru the Eastern Gate which is closest to the Temple. Those who could afford it, wanted to bury their departed loved ones along the road which wound down Mt Olives across the valley and up to the eastern gate, in the belief that they would be the first to be resurrected when the Messiah arrived. Those arriving to Jerusalem also wanted to come thru the Eastern gate. According to the law, graves and dead bodies/bones are unclean, and a person who comes into contact with a grave or graveyard are made ceremonially unclean for a period of time. Anyone who was ceremonially unclean could not participate in the Passover, so it was important not to accidently come into contact with the many graves along the road into the eastern gate. As a part of the preparation for Passover, the city people would go out and white wash the graves so they would be easily spotted and avoided, so no one would become ceremonially unclean.

Jesus road down Mt Olives, along with the many pilgrims (plus more of course was going on), past the white washed tombs with unclean bones which could render a person ritually unclean by contact. He entered the eastern gate, just as the Messiah was expected to do. And went up to the Temple where He called the leader white washed tombs. They knew exactly what He was saying.

[missmuffet]

Do you think that this only deals with pastors or people who we meet who seem to be Christians but are not?

[Jayyycuuup]

Do you think that this only deals with pastors or people who we meet who seem to be Christians but are not?

Well it does say "in sheep's clothing" and only Christians (followers of Christ) are described as sheep. . . .

[gdemoss]

Do you think that this only deals with pastors or people who we meet who seem to be Christians but are not?

The passage deals with people who 'come to you' and are seeking to feed you as if they were sent by God to do so. Can be a Pastor but also can be any other person coming in the name of Christ. The truth is understood by whether or not their 'fruit' they feed you with actually nourishes you and aids in your growth. There is evil fruit and good fruit. Before I was born again, I simply bore bad fruit that fed nobody, but served to poison the well only. After, the fruit I bore serves to feed the flock. There was a distinct change when I had the true born again experience and was not simply someone who 'thought' he was a Christian because he 'believed'.

[missmuffet]

Do you think that this only deals with pastors or people who we meet who seem to be Christians but are not?

The passage deals with people who 'come to you' and are seeking to feed you as if they were sent by God to do so. Can be a Pastor but also can be any other person coming in the name of Christ. The truth is understood by whether or not their 'fruit' they feed you with actually nourishes you and aids in your growth. There is evil fruit and good fruit. Before I was born again, I simply bore bad fruit that fed nobody, but served to poison the well only. After, the fruit I bore serves to feed the flock. There was a distinct change when I had the true born again experience and was not simply someone who 'thought' he was a Christian because he 'believed'.

Well said.I agree.

[Fez]

Do you think that this only deals with pastors or people who we meet who seem to be Christians but are not?

What are your feelings about this?

So far, after introducing the subject, you have not voiced your opinion on the subject you originally posted?

Why don't you tell us what your feelings on the subject are, since it interests you enough to have posted it?