”Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? Likewise every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.” Matthew 7:15-20 (NIV)

You can identify those who would mislead you by watching what they do as much as you listen to what they say.  Jesus said not to just listen to what they say, watch what they do. What they do will speak volumes about who they are on the inside. One of the best ways to tell the difference between a teacher who is genuinely teaching God’s Word and one who is falsely claiming to teach God’s Word is by their lifestyle. Does their life support their claim to follow Jesus? Do they themselves obey? (Not like the Pharisees.)

Be wary of spiritual leaders who live by different rules than the rules that apply to everyone else. Doesn’t mean perfect obedience. No one is perfect. But this is why a significant moral failure destroys a pastor’s ability to preach or lead a church. Almost anyone can put on a good act. But no one can hide forever. Someone’s true character eventually comes out in their actions.

Trees and plants manifest their nature in their fruit: figs by bearing figs and not grapes. And what people do reveals, when thoroughly and honestly considered, the kind of person they really are.

Watch teachers, pastors, prophets…including me!  Recognize them by their fruit.

Have you ever encountered a pastor or teacher who was leading people astray?  Did you notice their fruit?