Known by Their Fruits

Friday, July 10, 2015
Matthew 7:15-20 KJV 

[Mat 7:15-20 KJV] 15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. 16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? 17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither [can] a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. 19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. 20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.

OBSERVATION QUESTIONS
1) What does our Lord Jesus tell His followers to beware of, how does He describe them, and how will we know them? (v.15-16a)
2) How does the Lord explain (compare and contrast) the good tree and the corrupt tree? 
3) Why does Jesus compare the fruit of the good tree and of the corrupt tree?

APPLICATION QUESTIONS
4) Have you ever encountered a false leader in your local church? If so, how did you know that they were not true servants of God?

LIFE LESSONS
5) The Lord places leaders in His church with a heart for Himself as well as for His people.