They compete for dominance and seek to be the leader. Wolves, on the other hand, are pack animals. Their shepherd provides what they need to be satisfied. ![]() Do you expect to be the leader of the pack? When we act like wolves we put our desires above a love for others and make our personal goals our hope for satisfaction –often at great cost to others in the body. Rather than being concerned with bearing fruit in the Lord, wolves in the church care more about being “fed.” They’ll gladly tear up the flesh to satisfy their yearnings as if the Lord’s work of transforming lives isn’t enough. “If you bite and devour each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other.” They bite and devour to get their fill, much like we’re warned against in Galatians 5:15: Wolves are driven by their appetite –what they find satisfying and appealing. But, that can be a disguise from both ourselves and others. We might feel like lambs, believing ourselves to be innocent and well-intentioned. We can behave like wolves, even towards our brothers and sisters in the body of Christ. That includes each of us.Īs saved sinners, we are prone to acting like animals. Paul wasn’t just warning the church against outsiders, but fellow believers. We read this verse and think of off-base mega-preachers, church fads, and wacky sects leading people away from God. “Savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock. Even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples after them.” Scripture can also warn us about our own nature. Sometimes we ask how it might comfort or exhort us. 20 Yes, just as you can identify a tree by its fruit, so you can identify people by their actions.One of the questions we often ask when reading Scripture is “how does this apply?” We’re usually thinking in terms of what the Word means for our lives or what promises it holds. 19 So every tree that does not produce good fruit is chopped down and thrown into the fire. 18 A good tree can't produce bad fruit, and a bad tree can't produce good fruit. Can you pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? 17 A good tree produces good fruit, and a bad tree produces bad fruit. 16 You can identify them by their fruit, that is, by the way they act. New Living Translation A Tree Is Known by Its Fruitġ5 "Beware of false prophets who come disguised as harmless sheep but are really vicious wolves. 20 Therefore by their fruits you will know them. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles? 17 Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. 17 18 19 20 New King James Version A Tree Is Known by Its Fruitġ5 "Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. These diseased trees with their bad apples are going to be chopped down and burned. ![]() A genuine leader will never exploit your emotions or your pocketbook. 16 Who preachers are is the main thing, not what they say. Don't be impressed with charisma look for character. Chances are they are out to rip you off some way or other. The Message A Tree Is Known by Its Fruitġ5 "Be wary of false preachers who smile a lot, dripping with practiced sincerity. 20 Thus you will recognize them by their fruits. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 18 A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? 17 So, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit. 16 You will recognize them by their fruits. English Standard Version A Tree Is Known by Its Fruitġ5 "Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. 20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. ![]() 19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. 18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. 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. Other Translations of Matthew 7:15-20 King James Version A Tree Is Known by Its Fruitġ5 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.
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