Week 12 (18 Mar) Day 2

Matthew 7.15-20

15 “Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. 16 By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? 17 Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit.19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.

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Personal Reflections For the remaining part of Matthew 7, Jesus uses three contrast to bring home his teaching (the narrow versus wide gates, the true versus false disciples; the wise versus foolish builders).

By using the contrasting metaphor of the good tree and bad tree, Jesus brings home the point – to watch out for false teachers. This is so relevant for us today when there is a plethora of teachers and prophets and gurus. How do we know who is right? How do we discern which teachings is wrong? By the fruit of their lives! True teachers who teach about the new kingdom cannot but live by the new kingdom values. Recognise these teachers by the good fruit in their lives.

Do you exhibit good fruit yourself? Do you see good fruit in your spiritual teachers, including the “celebrity” preachers and teachers?