“Therefore by their fruits you will know them” (Mat 7:20).
Thankfully, the One who warns us against false prophets also tells us how to distinguish the true from the phoney (in Mat 7:15-20). He uses animal metaphors and tree metaphors to unpack this profound truth. In short, our Lord teaches us that we must look beyond the facades and PR of our generation’s ministers. From the metaphor of wolves in sheep skins, we learn the importance of discerning the voice rather than just accepting the view. Sometimes sound can tell you what sight cannot. Elsewhere Jesus says His sheep can distinguish the voice of the true Shepherd from that of a stranger (Jo 10:4-5). Beloved, let the Spirit train your spiritual ears to hear even when your eyes are deceived. Remember that Jacob managed to fool his father Isaac’s touch but not his hearing (Gen. 27:22)? Wise believers don’t walk by sight, but by faith (2 Cor. 5:7). The reason is that it’s easier to fool our natural sight than it is to trick our spiritual (faith) hearing. May your discernment overcome the trickery of every false ministry that seeks your attention today!
Pastor Josh