“Beware of False Prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inward are ravenous wolves. You will recognize them by their fruits…” Matthew 7:15-16(ESV).
It was a beautiful, warm, and sunny spring afternoon as I sat on my deck, taking note of the fragrance in the air. My eyes drifted to our fruit trees. I smiled at the cherry tree, noticing it had more blossoms than the previous year. Wow, our pear tree was also flourishing, blooming from the top branch down to the lower tips. Simply beautiful! I eagerly awaited the fruit these two trees would produce.
Then, I turned my attention to one of our crab apple trees. Although it was covered in white blossoms, I couldn’t shake the feeling that it was struggling more this year than in years past. The massive, fragrant white blooms were not as abundant as I remembered, but I hoped there would still be enough for crab apple jelly this year. I snapped pictures of these three trees, adorned in pure white blossoms.
Next, I looked at our other crab apple tree, which showcased dark and light pink flowers. It stood out boldly against the backdrop of the other trees’ simple white blossoms, looking majestic and radiant in full bloom. However, as I admired its colors, I was suddenly reminded of the words from Matthew 7: “Beware of false prophets…you will know them by their fruit.” I felt a bit shaken and reminded myself that despite this tree’s elegance and beauty, its fruit was inedible.
I sat quietly, reflecting on what felt like a warning. I thought of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. They must have passed by the tree of the knowledge of good and evil many times without touching it, perhaps even ignoring its presence altogether. Yes, God had given a warning, and everything was fine until the serpent appeared, twisting God’s command and speaking falsehoods. They allowed themselves to be lured into deception. Though I had seen this tree in bloom every year, I had never acknowledged its grandeur as much as I did now. Despite its beauty, I realized it bore fruit that was not good for consumption. The word “beware” took root in my heart.
I felt a strong message to guard my heart and stay grounded in God’s Word. I must not let the world dictate my truth. Every day, I pray over Romans 12:2, asking God for a transformed mind and a heart filled with discernment. Throughout this nine-year journey, one of the most valuable lessons I’ve learned is to be like the Bereans mentioned in Acts 17—searching Scripture for absolute truth. In a world filled with social media, news, and people who do not know Jesus but freely express their opinions as truth, it can be challenging to discern fact from fiction, making the environment noisy and confusing. We can easily become prey if we do not study God’s Word for its true meaning. I reminded myself not to twist God’s Word to fit my desires. Even if it stings, God’s Word remains the ultimate truth!
False teaching can sound appealing and almost correct, yet it remains incorrect. Like the serpent’s words to Eve, we can be misled by cleverly twisted comments or questions that obscure the truth. Similarly, our beautiful, inedible crab apple tree could mesmerize us with its eloquence and appearance. I looked up the word “mesmerized,” and found synonyms like “captivated,” “enchanted,” and “spellbound.” The one that scared me the most was “possessed.” False teaching can infiltrate our daily lives, making it essential to surround ourselves with trustworthy believers who can help us question what we hear.
2 Timothy 4:3-4(ESV)states, “For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears, they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths.” People will decide what is right and wrong to suit themselves. Those with itching ears will only listen to those who make them feel good while diluting absolute truth. I sense this may already be happening. Beware!
I am uncertain why I was stirred by Matthew 7:15-16 at that moment, but it certainly prompted me to be vigilant about what I listen to, watch, and read. It also reminded me not to worship creation but to keep my eyes fixed on the Creator. I am profoundly grateful for the nudges from the Holy Spirit that bring me back to reality.
Gracious Heavenly Father, help us not to be buried in the deceptions of this world, but to keep our focus, hearts, and thoughts grounded in the truth of Your Word. May we remain alert, sober-minded, and discerning to understand the difference between truth and falsehood. I pray we meditate on Your Word, day and night and engrave each truth on the tablets of our hearts. Thank You, LORD, for the Holy Spirit’s prompts that remind us that Your Word is alive and active. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
