Verse: Matthew 7:15-16
15 Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. 16 You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thorn bushes, or figs from thistles?

Devotion:
These verses are heavy and are a warning for all believers. Jesus warns us “to beware of false prophets who come to us in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves.” He tells us that we will recognize these false prophets by their fruits, by the way they live their lives and the teachings they promote.

As followers of Christ, we are called to discern the truth from lies, and hold fast to what is Godly. It can be tempting to be led astray by smooth words or impressive displays, and this is exactly what the enemy wants. He disguises his footholds to look like harmless sheep, when they are really wolves ready to destroy us. But instead, we must seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit and the wisdom of God’s Word for discernment.

As the body of Christ, we are called to be vigilant and prayerful, constantly seeking the Lord’s guidance and discernment in all areas of our lives. As we are vigilant, we will see the fruit that others bear. We know the fruits of the Spirit, so we can recognize when wolves come bearing thorns and thistles to snare us. We cannot be swayed by the false prophets and the temptations of this world, but instead, remain rooted in the truth of God’s Word and the love of our Father.

Prayers:
Lord, help us to bear good fruit in our lives, in order to show the world Your love, grace, and Truth. Remind us to always be on guard against the wolves in sheep’s clothing, standing firm in our faith and trusting in You to lead us on the path of righteousness. Help us to keep our eyes fixed on You Lord so that we may be able to discern that which tries to take our focus off of You. Thank You Lord for walking every step with us. We love you Lord, amen.

Author: Becca Artymenko