Ravenous Wolves

Exegesis

• v15 – “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves.
  •  False prophets
    The word ψευδοπροφήτης (psyoo-dop-rof-ay’-tace) – is one who in God’s name teaches what is false.
    In the OT the office of the prophet was of the highest order because they were teachers who heard directly from God and carried that message to His people.
    And much of what God spoke to the prophets were written down as Scripture.
    But now, in the NT, we believe that the Scripture is closed – meaning that there are no more new theological revelations to be given. No longer can a prophet write a new book to the Bible. Therefore the highest office of responsibility in the NT was that of the apostles whose primary task was to lay the foundations of the Christians faith.
    Ephesians 2:19-20 – So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone,
    Then there are pastors and teachers – shepherds who study and teach from the word of God, and accurately expound God’s message to His people.
    So, the bottom line is that a false prophet is one who carries a message that he claims is from God but is not. In other parts of the NT, they are also called false brothers, false apostles, false teachers, liars, false witnesses & false Christs.
    That though each of these falsehoods have a certain degree of distinction, at the root it is a claim to carry a message from God. In some places, false teachers and false prophets are used together.
    In this case, Jesus is emphasising caution at the highest level to the Jewish people gathered around him, who have long been awaiting a prophet – for over 400 years
• Beware
  When you read a sign that says “Beware of Dogs”, or “Beware of Land Mines”, our natural instinctive reaction is to be watchful as we take every step.
  That is the same kind of watchfulness that Jesus encourages us.
  Romans 16:17-18 – 17 I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them. 18 For such persons do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites,6 and by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive (the unsuspecting).
  We are not to be naive and unsuspecting. We are to be watchful.
  Acts 20:29-31 – 29 I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; 30 and from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them. 31 Therefore be alert, remembering that for three years I did not cease night or day to admonish every one with tears.
  
• who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves
  Fierce wolves – ravenous wolves – deceitful spirits, these are not subtle words.
  So, this brings a question to my mind. Is the false prophet anyone who prophesies or teaches wrongly, or is it someone who inwardly are ravenous wolves? Now, that is not always an easy distinction to make. And this is a place
  where we must be cautious – cautious both ways.
  I do believe that there are teachers and prophets of God’s word who are genuinely mistaken about some of the things that they teach. Preachers whose intent is not vainglory or self-indulgence, but they really care for their people
  but are poor theologians. [Prosperity Gospel, Arminians etc]
  Therefore a false message does not immediately condemn one as a false prophet or a false teacher.
  There is a certain characteristic to the false prophet here. They are inwardly ravenous wolves.
  The desire of the wolf is to devour the sheep for its own benefit and not to sacrificially serve for the greater good of the sheep. [Prosperity Gospel, Arminians etc]
  2 Peter 2:1-2 – But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction. 2 And many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of truth will be blasphemed. 
  • Now, the key thing to remember here when we apply our watchfulness or discernment is that these wolves come in sheep’s clothing.
    Everything about them externally screams ‘sheep’. They look like the sheep, walk like the sheep, talk like the sheep, sing like the sheep, pray like the sheep, preach like the sheep, counsel like the sheep, suffer like the sheep and worships like the sheep.
    2 Corinthians 11:12-15 – 12And what I am doing I will continue to do, kin order to undermine the claim of those who would like to claim that in their boasted mission they work on the same terms as we do. 13 For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. 14And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. 15So it is no surprise if his servants, also, disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. their end will correspond to their deeds.
  • Therefore, the key distinction of the false prophet is the intent, the motive behind it all – is the life lived for the self at the cost of those around them, event to the point of twisting God’s word. Their ultimate desire is for themselves and not God.
    Unfortunately, false prophets are of great appeal to many within the church. These wolves that are nurtured by satan have a strong impression among those within the church whose hearts are not set on God.
    2 Timothy 4:3 – 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,
    As Paul Washer put it, these false prophets are God’s judgment upon a false people.
  • So, how do we tell them apart? How do we identify the wolves in sheep’s clothing?
• You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? 17So, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit. 18A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Thus you will recognize them by their fruits.
  • Jesus does not merely give us a caution to beware, but He assures us that we will recognise these false prophets. They are recognisable. How?
  • By their fruits
    Bearing fruit is the natural function of a tree – every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit.
    In other words, if you claim to be a child of God or a messenger of God, then the fruit of that tree can be recognised. If there is no fruit overall whatsoever that corresponds to the claim of the prophet, then he is false.
    Coming back to the thought of genuinely mistaken true prophets. That is the difference. You will find fruit, fruit pertaining to one who believes in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. But the picture that Jesus draws here is of a stark distinction between the fruit and the outward appearance.
    Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles?
  • There are many thorny theologians. Every thing about them outwardly seems godly and sound. But when you reach into their lives, you prick your fingers on sharp and ungodly thorns.
    18A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit.
    
  • 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Thus you will recognize them by their fruits.
    The judgment that such prophets and teachers await is the furnace of hell.