Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.
- Matthew 7:15-20
Why did Christ add this piece to the scriptures?
Because, it is risk management 101 for the simple, so they won't lose their spiritual inheritance or give their natural substance to charlatans.
It is easy to bend scripture and fool the simple, and many do it. Many preachers have no depth and therefore can only preach gospel-lite. By their fruits, ye shall know them.
Solomon spoke much about the simple. In Proverbs 1.22, he asks the question, "How long, ye simple ones, will ye love simplicity?"
In today's Christianity, could we ask the same question?
Remaining simple is an easy life. Your bible study is done by others; there is no threat of losing anything, and therefore no need to try and elevate yourself.
Personal knowledge is simple, and there is a firm reliance upon others’ knowledge. If other's don't have it, then it is a case of the blind following the blind.
Numerous studies have been conducted across churches to find an unparalleled spiritual/biblical knowledge famine within Christianity. That means many leaders and congregants do not know who Christ is or who God is — really is — which are both found deep in the Word, and brought out by study alone. Why did Paul hide and re-study what he had been previously taught?
Solomon provides us with further advice in Proverbs 1:32, "For the turning away of the simple shall slay them, and the prosperity of fools shall destroy them."
And what of their inheritance? Proverbs 14:18, The simple inherit folly: but the prudent are crowned with knowledge.
Jesus intimates this in our key scripture, suggesting that those who follow the ravening wolves shall bring forth similar fruit. That is what the seed of fruit does! If a seed is planted in your soul, that is what will come forth.
Why do the simple allow that to happen? Proverbs 14:15, "The simple believeth every word: but the prudent man looketh well to his going.”
In essence, the simple are lazy people. I have seen dyslexic bible students become highly knowledgeable, holding key church positions, through determination to overcome their disabilities, and I have seen the simple remain the same for years.
In Matthew 7:7, Christ himself said, "Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:"
It does not suggest that the information comes in your sleep and you wake up knowledgeable. That is the simple one's way of looking at knowledge. The Way of the Kingdom doesn't work like that. We go through the process of learning like any other student. The information is there, and Christ wants us to be absorbed in it.
Today’s Prayer; Dear Lord, thank you for the knowledge you have placed in my heart. Please help me not to become lazy and simple in my understanding and knowledge of you. Help me to see when I am
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