Look Closely

I recently had some help cutting down some overgrowth at the back of my property. A few days later, I was covered in red, itchy bumps. I went back out to take a closer look at what we cut down and, sure enough, there was poison ivy among the overgrowth. Had I looked closer beforehand, I might have avoided getting covered in a terrible rash.

“‘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. Can you pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? A good tree produces good fruit, and a bad tree produces bad fruit. A good tree can’t produce bad fruit, and a bad tree can’t produce good fruit. So every tree that does not produce good fruit is chopped down and thrown into the fire. Yes, just as you can identify a tree by its fruit, so you can identify people by their actions.’” (Matthew 7:15-20)

Like the poison ivy growing on my property, false teachers are identifiable if we look closely. Jesus compared identifying a plant by its fruit to identifying a false teacher. There are plenty of false teachers out there, many with YouTube channels, some leading massive congregations. If we don’t look closely, then we will get something far worse than a temporary, inconvenient rash.

“‘Not everyone who calls out to me, ‘Lord! Lord!’ will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Only those who actually do the will of my Father in heaven will enter. On judgment day many will say to me, ‘Lord! Lord! We prophesied in your name and cast out demons in your name and performed many miracles in your name.’ But I will reply, ‘I never knew you. Get away from me, you who break God’s laws.’” (Matthew 7:21-23)

No one should hold the place Jesus should hold in our lives. When we elevate teachers to a position higher than they deserve, then we can be blinded to their falsehoods and blindsided when their scandals come to light. Always weigh what someone teaches about the Scriptures or God or Christ, against the Scriptures themselves. Make the Holy Spirit your teacher and rely on Him to tell you what is true. Practice this through your own daily reading of the Bible.

“But you have received the Holy Spirit, and he lives within you, so you don’t need anyone to teach you what is true. For the Spirit teaches you everything you need to know, and what he teaches is true—it is not a lie. So just as he has taught you, remain in fellowship with Christ.” (1 John 2:27)

We must look closely at what people say and do and we must weigh their claims and actions against the Scriptures. While it is not our job to judge those outside of the faith, it is our responsibility to judge those who claim to be our brothers and sisters in Christ.

“It isn’t my responsibility to judge outsiders, but it certainly is your responsibility to judge those inside the church who are sinning.” (1 Corinthians 5:12)

“For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to sound and wholesome teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever their itching ears want to hear. They will reject the truth and chase after myths.” (2 Timothy 4:3-4)

Look closely at what people say and do and follow the instruction of the Holy Spirit. The consequences of not identifying people by their actions can be eternal. Will Jesus say welcome or I never knew you? Look closely.

May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.