praying effectively: Watch Out for False Prophets (gospels)

(Matthew 7:15-20)  “Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves. 16 You will know them by their fruits. Grapes are not gathered from thorn bushes nor figs from thistles, are they? 17 So every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit. 18 A good tree cannot produce bad fruit, nor can a bad tree produce good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 So then, you will know them by their fruits.

(Luke 12:1-3)  Under these circumstances, after so many thousands of people had gathered together that they were stepping on one another, He began saying to His disciples first of all, “Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. 2 But there is nothing covered up that will not be revealed, and hidden that will not be known. 3 Accordingly, whatever you have said in the dark will be heard in the light, and what you have whispered in the inner rooms will be proclaimed upon the housetops.

(Matthew 24:4-5)  And Jesus answered and said to them, “See to it that no one misleads you. 5 For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will mislead many."

Reminder:  "praying effectively" involves knowing God's will.  When we pray in His will (in His name), He may choose to not answer those prayers in the time period that we would like, or HOW we would like - but He will answer those prayers!

It is God's will:

- that we beware of false prophets in sheep's clothing (Mt.7:15)

- that we beware of hypocritical spiritual leaders (Lk.12:1)

- that we don't allow anyone to mislead us (Mt.24:4-5, Mk.13:5-6, Lk.21:8)

Today's prayer:

Dear Lord Jesus, thank You for Your wisdom and guidance.  Help us recognize hypocritical teachers and spiritual leaders.  Help us remain steadfast in Your will, knowing what truth is and knowing what the fruit of righteousness should look like - in ourselves and in others.

Convict and humble the wolves in disguise and make them see their need for you, so that they can change their ways and not mislead others.  Help all Your children see the need and the value of getting to know You better by reading Your word.  Amen.