Watch Out for Wolves
Scripture:
“Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit… Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven… Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’”
—Matthew 7:15–23 (NIV)
We often read these verses as if they’re two separate teachings, broken up by the subheadings in our Bibles. But Jesus is giving one continuous warning here—a call to discernment and a call to authenticity.
He tells us to watch out for false prophets. People who look the part on the outside—who wear the clothing of a shepherd—but on the inside are dangerous and self-serving. The Pharisees were a prime example: they claimed to know God, but they cared more about power and position than they did about loving people or doing the will of the Father.
Jesus says we’ll know the truth by looking at the fruit. Not the kind of fruit the world chases—like popularity, success, or spiritual performances—but the kind of fruit the Spirit produces. Is there humility? Is there love, joy, peace, patience, kindness? What kind of disciples are being formed through their ministry? Are they more concerned with following Jesus or promoting a particular teacher or ministry?
Jesus also reminds us that it’s possible to do a lot in His name and still miss Him entirely. There are people—even spiritual leaders—who will say “Lord, Lord,” and point to their teaching or miracles or influence, but in the end Jesus will say, “I never knew you.” It was all just a performance, not a relationship.
So how do we know if someone truly knows Jesus? Jesus tells us: by their fruit, and by whether or not they’re doing the will of the Father. Do they love God? Do they love their neighbor? Are they seeking first the Kingdom of God? These are the signs of a heart that truly belongs to Him.
This is a sober reminder not just to evaluate others, but to examine ourselves. Not with fear or anxiety, but with humility. Do we truly know Him—and does our life bear the fruit of that relationship?
Reflection:
- What kind of fruit are you producing in your own life? Does it reflect the character of Jesus?
- When you look at spiritual leaders or influencers, do you tend to evaluate them by popularity or spiritual fruit?
- How can you grow in discerning what is truly from God and what is just surface-level performance?
Prayer:
Ask God to cultivate the fruit of the Spirit in your life. Pray for wisdom and discernment as you follow Jesus and as you learn from others. Ask the Spirit to help you walk in humility and obedience, doing the will of the Father from a heart that truly knows Him.