Author: drthomasclothier

⁵ “When he had entered Capernaum, a centurion came forward to him, appealing to him, ⁶ “Lord, my servant is lying paralyzed at home, suffering terribly.” ⁷ And he said to him, “I will come and heal him.” ⁸ But the centurion replied, “Lord, I am not worthy to have you come under my roof, but only say the word, and my servant will be healed. ⁹ For I too am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. And I say to one, ‘Go,’ and he goes, and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes, and to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.” ¹⁰ When Jesus heard this, he marveled and said to those who followed him, “Truly, I tell you, with no one in Israel have I found such faith. ¹¹ I tell you, many will come from east and west and recline at table with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven, ¹² while the sons of the kingdom will be thrown into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” ¹³ And to the centurion Jesus said, “Go; let it be done for you as you have believed.” And the servant was healed at that very moment.” (Matthew 8:5-13 ESV)

When Jesus entered the town of Capernaum, an unidentified Roman Centurion approached Him. The centurion approached Jesus appealing to Him on behalf of his servant. The centurion’s servant was paralyzed at home and suffering terribly.

Jesus immediately responded, ““I will come and heal him.” There was no hesitation on Jesus’ part. The Lord was ready, willing and able to travel to wherever the servant lived in order to heal him.

The Jews hated the Romans and their occupation of Palestine. It is probable, because of the plural pronouns in Matt. 8:10-11, that Jesus and the centurion were not alone. It is likely that a crowd of people surrounded them following Jesus’ Sermon on The Mount (Matt. 5-7) and the healing of the leper (Matt. 8:1-4).  The people would not have approved of Jesus’ intention to heal a Roman’s servant. Regardless, Jesus unhesitatingly indicated He would enter a Gentile’s home. This defied Jewish tradition that by entering a Gentile’s dwelling rendered the Jew unclean.

The centurion’s response to Jesus’ statement evidenced great faith. He said, ““Lord, I am not worthy to have you come under my roof, but only say the word, and my servant will be healed. ⁹ For I too am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. And I say to one, ‘Go,’ and he goes, and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes, and to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.” 

The centurion did not want to inconvenience Jesus and did not want Him to become ceremonially unclean in the eyes of the Jews. He acknowledged that Jesus could heal the servant with but a spoken word even while in Capernaum. The Roman understood the authority Jesus possessed.

What was Jesus’ reply? That is what we will consider when next we meet. Have a blessed day in the Lord.

Soli deo Gloria!

⁵ “When he had entered Capernaum, a centurion came forward to him, appealing to him, ⁶ “Lord, my servant is lying paralyzed at home, suffering terribly.” ⁷ And he said to him, “I will come and heal him.” ⁸ But the centurion replied, “Lord, I am not worthy to have you come under my roof, but only say the word, and my servant will be healed. ⁹ For I too am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. And I say to one, ‘Go,’ and he goes, and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes, and to my servant,^[a] ‘Do this,’ and he does it.” ¹⁰ When Jesus heard this, he marveled and said to those who followed him, “Truly, I tell you, with no one in Israel^[b] have I found such faith. ¹¹ I tell you, many will come from east and west and recline at table with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven, ¹² while the sons of the kingdom will be thrown into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” ¹³ And to the centurion Jesus said, “Go; let it be done for you as you have believed.” And the servant was healed at that very moment.” (Matthew 8:5-13 ESV)

Following Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount and His healing of a leper (Matthew 8:1-4), He entered into the town of Capernaum. It stood on the western shore of the Sea of Galilee. The “land of Gennesaret,” was one of the most prosperous and crowded districts of Palestine.

When Jesus entered the town, an unidentified Roman Centurion approached Him. Centurions commanded 100 Roman soldiers. They were responsible for keeping law and order, which was a high priority for the Roman government. The Jews hated Rome’s presence in their land and towns.

However, the centurion was not concerned about law and order, or any other political or cultural issue, when he approached Jesus. He was concerned about one thing; his servant. Why was the centurion concerned about his servant, and why did he sense Jesus could help?

The centurion approached Jesus appealing to Him on behalf of his servant. The centurion’s servant was paralyzed at home and suffering terribly. No reason is given as to what caused the paralysis or how long the servant had suffered from this condition. The text also does not indicate how extensive was the paralysis.

Jesus immediately responded, ““I will come and heal him.” There was no hesitation on Jesus’ part. The Lord was ready, willing and able to travel to wherever the servant lived in order to heal him.

It must be understood that the Jews hated the Romans and their occupation of Palestine. It is probable, because of the plural pronouns in Matt. 8:10-11, that Jesus and the centurion were not alone. It is likely that a crowd of people surrounded them following Jesus’ Sermon on The Mount (Matt. 5-7) and the healing of the leper (Matt. 8:1-4).  The people would not have approved of Jesus’ intention to heal a Roman’s servant.

Regardless, Jesus unhesitatingly indicated He would enter a Gentile’s home. This defied Jewish tradition that by entering a Gentile’s dwelling rendered the Jew unclean. The centurion’s response defied logic but evidenced great faith. We will consider the centurions trust in Jesus next time.

Have a blessed day in the Lord.

Soli deo Gloria!

⁵ “When he had entered Capernaum, a centurion came forward to him, appealing to him, ⁶ “Lord, my servant is lying paralyzed at home, suffering terribly.” ⁷ And he said to him, “I will come and heal him.” ⁸ But the centurion replied, “Lord, I am not worthy to have you come under my roof, but only say the word, and my servant will be healed. ⁹ For I too am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. And I say to one, ‘Go,’ and he goes, and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes, and to my servant,^[a] ‘Do this,’ and he does it.” ¹⁰ When Jesus heard this, he marveled and said to those who followed him, “Truly, I tell you, with no one in Israel^[b] have I found such faith. ¹¹ I tell you, many will come from east and west and recline at table with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven, ¹² while the sons of the kingdom will be thrown into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” ¹³ And to the centurion Jesus said, “Go; let it be done for you as you have believed.” And the servant was healed at that very moment.” (Matthew 8:5-13 ESV)

Matthew groups together nine stories containing ten specific miracles in chapters 8–9. There are three miracles in 8:1–17, teaching on true discipleship (8:18–22), and then three more miracles (8:23–9:8). This is followed by Jesus’ teaching on true discipleship (9:9–17), and finally three more miracle stories; one of which includes two miracles (9:18–33). Today, we begin examining the miracle of Jesus healing a centurion’s servant.  

Following Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount and His healing of a leper (Matthew 8:1-4), He entered into the town of Capernaum. It stood on the western shore of the Sea of Galilee. The “land of Gennesaret,” near, if not in, which it was situated, was one of the most prosperous and crowded districts of Palestine.

“This city lay on the great highway from Damascus to Acco and Tyre. It has been identified with Tell Hum, about two miles south-west of where the Jordan flows into the lake. Here are extensive ruins of walls and foundations, and also the remains of what must have been a beautiful synagogue, which it is conjectured may have been the one built by the centurion (Luke 7:5), in which our Lord frequently taught (John 6:59; Mark 1:21; Luke 4:33),” explains the Easton Illustrated Bible Dictionary.

After the Lord’s expulsion from Nazareth (Matt. 4:13–16; Luke 4:16–31), Capernaum became Jesus’ “own city.” It was the scene of many acts and incidents in His life (Matt. 8:5, 14, 15; 9:2–6, 10–17; 15:1–20; Mark 1:32–34, etc.). However, the impenitence and unbelief of its citizens, following the many evidences Jesus gave among them of who He was and His mission, brought down upon them a prophecy of judgement (Matt. 11:23).

When Jesus entered the town, an unidentified Roman Centurion approached Him. Centurions commanded 100 Roman soldiers. They were responsible for keeping law and order, which was a high priority for the Roman government. The Jews hated Rome’s presence in their land and towns.

However, the centurion was not concerned about law and order, or any other political or cultural issue, when he approached Jesus. He was concerned about one thing; his servant. Why the centurion was concerned about his servant, and why he sensed Jesus could help, will be examined when next we meet.

“In Christ, God is keeping His promise to bless all the families of the earth in Abraham (Gen. 12:1–3). The conversion of the nations to Christ is among the most tangible proofs for the veracity of the Bible. What Jesus has predicted is coming to pass — the Gentiles are coming to faith in Jesus. Think today on Jesus’ transformation of the nations and be encouraged that He has not left His people without a message,” explains Dr. R. C. Sproul.

Have a blessed day in the Lord.

Soli deo Gloria!

“When he came down from the mountain, great crowds followed him. ² And behold, a leper came to him and knelt before him, saying, “Lord, if you will, you can make me clean.” ³ And Jesus stretched out his hand and touched him, saying, “I will; be clean.” And immediately his leprosy was cleansed. ⁴ And Jesus said to him, “See that you say nothing to anyone, but go, show yourself to the priest and offer the gift that Moses commanded, for a proof to them.” (Matthew 8:1–4 (ESV)

Matthew groups together nine stories containing ten specific miracles in chapters 8–9. There are three miracles in 8:1–17, teaching on true discipleship (8:18–22), and then three more miracles (8:23–9:8). This is followed by Jesus’ teaching on true discipleship (9:9–17), and finally three more miracle stories; one of which includes two miracles (9:18–33). Today, we begin with the miracle of Jesus cleansing a leper.

What is leprosy? Leprosy was an unattractive skin disease for which the Bible had prescribed quarantine from the rest of society (Lev 13 & 14). Leper (λεπρός; lepros) means having a scaly or scabby skin. Leprosy was contagious. Therefore, lepers were outcasts from society.

Following His Sermon on the Mount (Matt. 5-7), Jesus came down from the mountain. A large multitude of people followed Him. One of these individuals was a leper.

The unidentified leper, ignoring cultural decorum, approached Jesus and knelt before Him. To kneel (προσκυνέω; proskyneo) means to worship. The leper continuously prostrated himself before the Lord. Since the noun leper is in the masculine gender, we know the individual was a man.

“According to the Mosaic law, leprosy renders a person unclean, and the leper who approaches Jesus in today’s passage is used to living apart from the community in isolation or in a leper colony (Lev. 13:45–46). Since lepers are outcasts in Jesus’ day, the diseased man acts with audacity when he comes for healing, at least in the view of his culture. Yet the leper displays faith, not arrogance, when he kneels before the Christ. Convinced of the Savior’s power, the man knows that Jesus can make him clean if the Lord is willing to exercise His healing touch (Matt. 8:1–2),” explains R. C. Sproul.

Not only did the leper continually worship the Lord but he also repeatedly asked Jesus to cleanse (καθαρίζω; katharizo) him; physically and ceremonially. By invoking the title Lord (κύριος; kyrios) the man may have addressed Jesus only as sir. Or, he may have been acknowledging Jesus deity since the man submitted to Jesus’ sovereign will and ability to heal him.

One can imagine the crowd angrily yelling at the man to leave because he was contagious. Perhaps, the crowd ran from him. Additionally, the Roman government frowned on large gatherings for concern of riots in Jewish Palestine. The setting and situation was potentially volatile.

Jesus then did the unimaginable and culturally unacceptable. He reached out to the man and touched him.Jesus then told the man that not only could He heal him, but that He would heal him.

“Touching a leper was forbidden, and most people would have been revolted by the thought of it. Indeed, the law enjoined the leper’s isolation from society (Lev 13:45–46),” explains commentator Craig Keener.

 “Truly, the leper’s recognition that Christ’s will is determinative is an example of how all are to come before Him (Matt. 6:10). Jesus could heal the man with His word alone (8:5–13), but He chooses to touch the leper (vv. 3–4). This point helps us interpret this text since Matthew emphasizes the touch with the “unnecessary” detail of Christ stretching out His hand (v. 3). Contact with a leper should render Jesus ceremonially unclean (Num. 5:1–4), but He is not defiled. Instead, His contact purifies the diseased man (Matt. 8:3–4), showing Him to be the fulfillment of the Law,” states Dr. Sproul.

As you seek to share the Gospel, who among your friends, acquaintances, or co-workers can you reach and touch with the love of the Lord? With discernment, what stranger? Remember, once we were unclean in many people’s eyes.

Soli deo Gloria!   

²⁸ “And when Jesus finished these sayings, the crowds were astonished at his teaching, ²⁹ for he was teaching them as one who had authority, and not as their scribes.” (Matthew 7:28–29 (ESV)

Today’s text concludes Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount. What makes this sermon any different from any other sermon preached by any other preacher? It was the response by the people to the One who had preached.

The crowds (ὄχλοi; achloi) are the multitude of common people who heard Jesus. They were in attendance. They also were amazed (ἐκπλήσσω; ekplesso), greatly astounded and astonished. At what? They were astonished at Jesus’ teaching.

Why? Matthew records that it was because Jesus “was teaching them as one who had authority, and not as their scribes.” It is one thing to teach authoritatively. It is something else to possess authority when teaching. This is what Jesus had that the scribes and religious leaders did not.

This is one of signs of a cult. Leaders of false religions, or cults, elevate themselves as having authority rather than direct people to the One, True God of the Bible. They seek to control rather than acknowledge God’s sovereignty. They seek to be worshiped rather than lead people in worship towards the only One worthy of worship. They seek to impose their rules and regulations upon people rather than seek to be obedient to God’s Word.

“Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount lays out the basics of the Christian worldview when He calls us to make a wholehearted commitment to His life and teaching (Matt. 6:25–34; 7:13–14, 21–27). All people have a worldview — a construct that, like eye glasses, is the lens through which we interpret reality and make our everyday decisions. The Christian worldview is defined by the words and deeds of our Savior,” explains Dr. R. C. Sproul.  

Have a blessed day in the Lord.

Soli deo Gloria!

²⁴ “Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. ²⁵ And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. ²⁶ And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. ²⁷ And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it.” (Matthew 7:24-27 ESV)

Following my conversion to Christ at age nineteen, I strove to grow in the grace and knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ (2 Peter 3:18). I read the Bible, Christian books, and listened to Christian radio. One of the best radio programs I listened to most every day was Through the Bible with Bible teacher Dr. J. Vernon McGee. The theme song for the program then, and now, is the hymn How Firm a Foundation.

I share this brief memory because of today’s text. Jesus was bringing His Sermon on the Mount to a conclusion. He summarized all that He had spoken about being His disciple with the metaphor of a foundation. In other words, on what foundation are you building your life? Is your life built upon obedience to the Word of God or something else?

Jesus said, ““Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock.” To hear Jesus’ words means to understand and comprehend them. The evidence of understanding and comprehension is obedience. Such a perspective is like a man who builds his house on the solid foundation of a rock.

Understanding and comprehending Jesus’ words, and the corresponding obedience is important because life is tough. In keeping with the building metaphor, Jesus said, ““Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. ²⁵ And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock.”

A life built upon obedience to the Word of God, as a child of God, will ultimately be for the individuals well-being. God calls such individuals wise. They apply God’s Word into their daily lives.

Conversely, a life not built upon an understanding and obedience to God’s Word will result in destruction. Such a man is a fool.

²⁶ “And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. ²⁷ And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it.”

“Jesus doesn’t comment on the style or particular qualities of the house in this passage. As a result, He doesn’t comment on exactly what our life looks like. What He emphasizes is what our life is built on. The house of the wise man is built on the rock. The wise man builds on the rock because he hears and does Jesus’ words (v. 24). So, regardless of what our house looks like—who we are and what our lives consist of—we’re called to build on the same foundation. We’re called to be hearers and doers of God’s Word. That doesn’t mean that what our lives look like doesn’t matter, but what Jesus is emphasizing here is the foundation. The foundation is the thing that imparts stability to everything else,” explains Dr. R. C. Sproul.

“We all build our individual houses, and they are all different. Looks can be deceiving, but what matters is the foundation. Are we hearing what Jesus says but not doing it? Or are we actually doing it? Let us pray that we will be faithful to build our houses—whatever they look like depending on our own particular circumstances, talents, and callings—on Jesus and His Word. It is only through building on this sure foundation that our lives will have any sense of true stability, both now and forever.”

How firm a foundation is the excellent Word of God. Have a blessed day in the Lord.

Soli deo Gloria!

²¹ “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. ²² On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ ²³ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’ (Matthew 7:21–23 (ESV)

“Dr. James Montgomery Boice pointed out the special irony of Jesus’ warning about the wolves in sheep’s clothing (Matt. 7:15) when considered it within the context of modern academia. Diplomas are referred to as “sheepskins” because that is the material on which such diplomas were originally printed. Today, many with “sheepskins,” or higher-level degrees, are teaching rank error in our colleges and seminaries. These are clear instances of wolves speaking with the “respectability” of the sheep,” explains Dr. R. C. Sproul.

What is the destiny of false prophets, and all who would distort the Gospel of Jesus Christ (Gal. 1:5-10)? Jesus makes a clear statement in today’s text that should give everyone pause.

Jesus said, “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven.” The phrase “Lord, Lord” is an address of intimacy (Gen. 22:11; I Sam. 3:10; 2 Sam. 18:33; Luke 22:31). However, claims of personal intimacy of knowing Christ is not the test of a true disciple. Rather, it is obeying the will of God.

Jesus said that on the Day of Judgment, there will be many who will claim to have done works in Jesus’ name and for His glory. These false teachers will refer to prophecies spoken, exorcisms performed, and mighty works done in the name of Christ. None of this will matter.

What matters is obedience to the Word and will of God as a result of faith alone in the person and work of Jesus Christ alone. Genuine intimacy with God means knowing God and being known by God (I Cor. 8:1-3).

“Those who teach falsehoods usually have no desire to follow God’s Word and care little if Scripture endorses their positions. We will probably not be taken off guard on judgment day when Christ banishes such hardened individuals. However, today’s passage warns us that some will be surprised when many who appear to be believers are barred access to glory on that day. Not everyone who calls Jesus “Lord” will enter the kingdom of heaven (vv. 21–23),” states Dr. Sproul.  

“This teaching should instill within us a healthy fear and trepidation. It is possible to do great works in our Savior’s name and to assent to His Lordship without really trusting Him for salvation. The people in today’s passage have a false assurance of their Christian faith. They know the right things, but they have not done the right things. Their faith is dead, for their works are not done in obedience to Jesus (James 2:14–26)”  

John Chrysostom says that we may claim to know the Lord, but we “derive no benefit as long as the actual fruits of good living are not present.” (Homilies on the Gospel of Saint Matthew, 23.7).

I encourage you to read 2 Peter 1:3-11concerning how to make certain your calling and election in Christ. Have a blessed day in the Lord.

Soli deo Gloria! 

¹⁷ “So, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit. ¹⁸ A 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.” (Matthew 7:17–19 (ESV)

This week, we are focusing on the importance of holding to biblical truth and being aware of false teachers. It would be pleasant to think that false teachers are outside the local church. Unfortunately, that is not the case. False teachers exist within the church; always have and always will until the Lord’s return.

By their fruits we can know the true nature of false teachers. Believers in Christ must be on guard today by taking each thought captive to the obedience of Christ through Scripture (2 Cor. 10:4-6).

Jesus taught that one may distinguish between good and false prophets (teachers) not only by the content of their teaching but also by the fruit of their lives. Healthy prophets of God bear good fruit. This would refer to the fruit of the Spirit. “²² But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³ gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.” (Galatians 5:22–23 (ESV)

Conversely, a false prophet bears bad fruit. They gratify the desires of the flesh. ^16 “But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. ¹⁷ For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. ¹⁸ But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. ¹⁹ Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, ²⁰ idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, ²¹ envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.” (Galatians 5:16–21 (ESV)

Recently, in the aftermath of the violent death of a young man by five police officers, one local pastor stated from the pulpit that the solution to such violence was for the church to understand the gospel “is justification by faith and social justice.” At best, this is error. At worst, it is heresy, which is a deviation from the true gospel of Jesus Christ. The Gospel is justification by faith alone.

Justification is a legal declaration. God declares the sinner just on the basis of grace alone, through faith alone in the person and work of Jesus Christ alone (Romans 3:21-26; 4:1-5; 5:1-5; Philippians 3:3-9).

“This legal or forensic term (justification) comes from the Greek word for “righteous” and means “to declare righteous.” This verdict includes: pardon from the guilt and penalty of sin, and the imputation of Christ’s righteousness to the believer’s account, which provides for the positive righteousness man needs to be accepted by God. God declares a sinner righteous solely on the basis of the merits of Christ’s righteousness. God imputed a believer’s sin to Christ’s account in his sacrificial death (Isa. 53:4–5; 1 Pet. 2:24), and he imputes Christ’s perfect obedience to God’s law to Christians (cf. Rom. 5:19; 1 Cor. 1:30; 2 Cor. 5:21; Phil. 3:9). The sinner receives this gift of God’s grace by faith alone (Rom. 3:22, 25; 4:1–25),” explains Dr. John MacArthur.

“The most crucial question facing anyone is ‘How can I be right with God?’ The answer to that question is the central issue that keeps the various professing expressions of Christianity apart; it is justification by grace alone, received through faith alone, mediated to believing sinners through Christ alone, and recorded as final authority in the Scriptures alone,” states Dr. Bruce Bickel.

False prophets and teachers will always seek to add something, anything, to justification by faith alone. Be on your guard against the bad fruit of false prophets.

Soli deo Gloria!  

¹⁵ “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. ¹⁶ You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thorn bushes, or figs from thistles?” (Matthew 7:15–16 (ESV)

“Tolerance toward people is a good and biblical virtue, but tolerance toward false teaching is sin. The teaching of a false prophet cannot withstand scrutiny under the divine light of Scripture.” – John MacArthur

“The mark of the false prophet or teacher is self-serving unfaithfulness to God and His truth. It may be that he says what he shouldn’t; but it is far more likely that he will err by failing to say what he should. He will gloss over all the tough questions and issues as did the false prophets in the Old Testament who went around saying, “Peace, peace,” when there was no peace (Jer. 6:14).” J.I. Packer  

“The apostles of Satan are not saloon-keepers and white-slave traffickers, but are for the most part ordained ministers.” – A.W. Pink

This week, we are focusing on the importance of holding to biblical truth and being aware of false teachers. It would be pleasant to think that false teachers are outside the local church. Unfortunately that is not the case. False teachers exist within the church; always have and always will until the Lord’s return. Therefore, those who hold to biblical truth must be on guard.

Today’s text begins with these cautionary words from Jesus; “Beware of false prophets.” Jesus then invoked a familiar biblical illustration. “…who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves”

Jesus then instructed His disciples how they could recognize false teachers. “You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thorn bushes, or figs from thistles?”

To recognize (ἐπιγινώσκω; epiginosko) is a future middle indicative verb. This means that to understand and know false teachers is an activity all believers in Christ must personally engage. It is not just a discipline for the present, but also for the future. The church must always be on guard against error and heresy.

Fruits (καρπός; karpos) are the activities and results of false teachers. It is what they personally accomplish or produce. They personally own their heresy and they delight in it.

Jesus then posed a rhetorical question. “Are grapes gathered from thorn bushes, or figs from thistles?” The answer is no. Neither can any good come from false teachers. They are like thorns and thistles that inflict pain and discomfort. They are not like grapes and figs that are nourishing.

“Recognizing prophetic impostors is not always easy, but Jesus says the fruit of their teaching helps us evaluate our instructors (vv. 15–16a). Some buckthorn bushes in Palestine produce black berries that look like grapes from a distance, and certain thistles have flowers that appear to be figs. However, a close inspection of both these fruits reveals them for what they really are — things unfit for consumption. Likewise, we must examine the fruits our teachers’ produce in order to determine the nature of the source from which they come (vv. 16b–18),” explains Dr. R. C. Sproul.

By their fruits we can know the true nature of false teachers. Be on your guard today by taking each thought captive to the obedience of Christ through Scripture (2 Cor. 10:4-6).

Soli deo Gloria!