Beware of the Wolves

“Can you pick grapes from thorn bushes, or figs from thistles? ”
Matthew 7:16b (NLT)

Well my friends as we finish our time on the mountain side we are pausing for a moment to reflect. Jesus will continue his time of mountain side teaching, but this week’s verse is the last question he asks. Over the past five weeks we’ve been encouraged to Stay Salty, to Love Others, to Don’t Worry, to remember that Nobody is Perfect, and that HE Gives Good Gifts.

So, you are probably wondering why this week’s devotion is titled Beware of the Wolves, when the question is about fruit? Partly it is a reminder not to pick a single verse or part of verse to make a point – context matters. Mostly cause, apparently wolves produce bad fruit. Let me try to explain. In this section of Jesus’ sermon, He is actually talking about false prophets – “Beware of false prophets who come disguised as harmless sheep but are really vicious wolves. You can identify them by their fruit, that is, by the way they act…” (Matthew 7:15-16a). Then this week’s question comes into play. Grapes are good fruit that grow on a thorn free vine and figs they grow on trees not on sticker bushes.

It is a warning for us to beware of those who come into our lives saying that they speak for God but their actions say something different altogether. What do we know of Godly fruit – it looks like love, joy, peace, kindness, patience, goodness, faithfulness, self-control, mercy, grace, wisdom, compassion, truth and unity to name just some. Can you think of other things that might be considered the good fruit of GOD? So what does that mean for us? In the words of YouTube content creator Charlotte Dobre – “DO YOUR RESEARCH!” Don’t take my word or anyone else’s as fact; without checking. Check the Bible, check with trusted friends, check with your pastor or a couple of pastors, maybe ask a Rabbi – you get the idea. Then you will be able to tell if the LAMB is speaking or a wolf is.

Jesus closes this section of His message by saying that “…just as you can identify a tree by its fruit, so you can identify people by their actions” (Matthew 7:20). Is the Lamb speaking into your life or is there a wolf whispering in your ear? Beware of the wolves.

 
Let me know your thoughts. Know someone who might be encouraged by this – please share. I will be praying for you. Until next week – guard your heart and mind, do your research, and tell the wolves to get lost.