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Matthew Chapter Seven

 
To Judge Or Not To Judge (7:1-6)
 
INTRODUCTION
 
1. A favorite saying of many people is "Judge not, that you be not 
 judged"...
 a. Frequently quoted whenever someone is pointing out the sins or 
 faults of another
 b. The impression is that we should never make moral judgments in 
 what we see in others
 
2. Is that true? Is that what Jesus meant when He said this?
 a. Are we never to make moral judgments about the right or wrong in
 other?
 b. If we see wrong in others, can we never point it out?
 
3. I am persuaded that Jesus' statement is often misused, that Jesus 
 taught...
  a. There are times when we must judge
 b. There are times when it is appropriate to point out the faults in
 others
 
["To Judge Or Not To Judge", that is the question before us. The proper
answer comes from a closer look at Jesus' words in Mt 7:1-6. First note
how His words are frequently misused...]
 
I. HIS WORDS OFTEN USED TO FORBID "ALL" MANNER OF JUDGMENT
 
 A. SUCH AS ADVERSE OR UNFAVORABLE CRITICISM...
 1. Like pointing out a fault in someone else
 2. Even if it be truly "constructive" criticism
 
 B. SUCH AS THE EXERCISE OF CHURCH DISCIPLINE...
 1. Exercising discipline of any sort does require "judging" 
 others as to their moral or spiritual condition
 2. Since such "judgment" is involved, some feel verses 1-2 rule
 out any sort of church discipline
 
 C. SUCH AS EXPOSING THOSE WHO TEACH ERROR...
 1. Admittedly, it requires making a judgment in order to consider
 whether someone is teaching error
 2. Therefore, some people, in light of verses 1-2, believe we
 cannot speak out against those who teach error
 
[Is that what Jesus means? Must we remain silent when we see people
overtaken in a fault, bringing reproach upon the name of Christ, or 
blatantly teaching error? Let me suggest that...]
 
II. JESUS DID NOT RULE OUT "ALL" FORMS OF JUDGMENT
 
 A. NOTE THE "IMMEDIATE" CONTEXT...
 1. Which reveals that in some cases "proper" judgment must be 
 made
 2. Mt 7:6 implies judgment is to be made as to who are "dogs" and
 who are "hogs"
 a. Otherwise, how can we know when not to give that which is 
 holy to "dogs"?
 b. Or how can we know when not to cast our pearls before 
 "swine"?
 3. Mt 7:15-20 implies that we must make judgments in determining
 who is a false teacher ("by their fruits you will know them")
 
 B. CONSIDER THE "REMOTE" CONTEXT...
 1. Which speak of times when judgment must be made!
 2. Elsewhere, Jesus taught people to "judge with righteous
 judgment" - Jn 7:24
 2. Christians have a responsibility to "judge those who are
 inside" the local church - 1 Co 5:9-13
 3. We are taught by the apostle of love (John) to "test the 
 spirits" (which requires making judgments) - 1 Jn 4:1
 
[There is no contradiction here, for as we continue with our text, we
notice that...]
 
III. JESUS DEFINED WHAT "KIND" OF JUDGING HE IS CONDEMNING
 
 A. JUDGING WHEN ONE IS BLIND TO HIS OR HER OWN FAULTS...
 1. Read carefully Mt 7:3-5
 2. Jesus is saying "that is it wrong for anyone to concentrate
 his attention on the speck in his brother's eye, and while
 thus occupied, to ignore the beam in his own eye" (Hendriksen)
 3. Just Paul taught the necessity of proper "introspection" when
 helping others - Ga 6:1
 
 B. JUDGING WITHOUT MERCY AND LOVE...
 1. "The Lord is here condemning the spirit of censoriousness,
 judging harshly, self-righteously, without mercy, without 
 love, as also the parallel passage (Lk 6:36-37) clearly 
 indicates." (Hendriksen)
 2. James warned against making judgments without mercy - Ja 2:13
 a. If we make judgments without showing mercy, then no mercy
 will be shown when we are judged!
 b. Just as Jesus said in verse 2...
 1) "For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged"
 2) "With the same measure you use, it will be measured back
 to you"
 
[The implication is not we should never judge, but when we do judge,
remember that we shall be judged by the same standards we use! Let 
mercy and love temper our judgments. Finally...]
 
IV. JESUS IMPLIES THERE ARE TIMES WHEN WE "MUST" MAKE JUDGMENTS!
 
 A. IT IS "AFTER" WE HAVE CORRECTED OUR OWN FAULTS...
 1. First, we must remove the "beam" from our own eye - Mt 7:5
 2. When we have done so, we are able to see, discern (judge), and
 be of help to others who are overtaken in their faults
 3. Indeed, "the law of Christ" requires us to! - cf. Ga 6:1-2
 
 B. AGAIN, WE MUST JUDGE BETWEEN THOSE "WORTHY" AND THOSE WHO ARE
 "HOGS & DOGS"...
 1. Note carefully Jesus' words in Mt 7:6
 a. Some are not worthy of that which "holy"
 b. Some are like "dogs" and "swine"
 -- Determining who is which requires "judgment" upon our part!
 2. With those who are receptive, we are to be long-suffering in
 trying to help them come out of their error - cf. 2 Ti 2:24-26
 3. But for those who are not, we are not to waste what is good 
 and holy on them!
 a. Cf. the instructions of Jesus to His disciples - Mt 10:
 12-15
 b. Cf. the example of Paul and Barnabas at Antioch of Pisidia
 - Ac 13:42-46
 
CONCLUSION
 
1. The kind of judging forbidden by Jesus is that which LENSKI calls:
 
 "self-righteous, hypocritical judging which is false and calls
 down God's judgment on itself."
 
2. This is the kind of judging that was also condemned by James when he
 wrote:
 
 "Do not speak evil of one another, brethren. He who speaks evil
 of a brother and judges his brother, speaks evil of the law and
 judges the law. But if you judge the law, you are not a doer of
 the law but a judge."
 
 "There is one Lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy. Who
 are you to judge another?" 
 (Ja 4:11-12)
 
3. May God help us to refrain from such judging...
 a. To be more apt to remove the "beams" from our own eyes
 b. To then be more useful in helping others with their problems
 
But to say we should never judge, is to abuse what Jesus teaches, not
only in this passage but elsewhere as well!
 
Speaking of judging, are you preparing yourself for the day in which
you will be judged by the Lord? - cf. Jn 12:48; 2 Co 5:10

The Virtue Of Perseverance (7:7-11)
 
INTRODUCTION
 
1. Why do some people...
 a. Succeed in having their prayers answered?
 b. Have a greater understanding of the Bible?
 c. Reach more souls for Christ?
 -- Is it skill, genius, or luck?
 
2. The answer is suggested by Calvin Coolidge:
 
 "Press on! Nothing in the world can take the place of perseverance.
 Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with
 talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb.
 Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts."
 
3. In His sermon on the mount, Jesus talked about the virtue of
 perseverance...
 a. Especially in its relevance to prayer
 b. Giving us motivation to persevere in our service to God
 
[Our text is Mt 7:7-11, in which we find Jesus teaching about...]
 
I. THE PRINCIPLE OF "PERSEVERANCE" (7-8)
 
 A. PERSEVERANCE IS IMPLIED IN THESE VERSES...
 1. By the tense of the Greek
 a. It is the present tense, which most often stresses 
 "continuous action"
 b. Literally, then, Jesus is saying:
 1) "keep on asking," and it will be given to you
 2) "keep on seeking," and you will find
 3) "keep on knocking," and it will be opened to you
 2. By the progression of the terms themselves
 a. "asking" is one level of inquiry
 b. "seeking" suggests a step up, as one goes about to find 
 what they ask (asking plus action, Hendricksen)
 c. "knocking" is another step up, as one persists in finding
 that which they seek (asking plus action plus persevering, 
 Hendricksen)
 
 B. PERSEVERANCE IS PARTICULARLY RELEVANT...
 1. To the matter of "prayer"
 a. As later implied in Mt 7:11
 b. Jesus often stressed persistence in teaching on prayer
 1) In the parable of "The Persistent Friend" - Lk 11:5-8
 2) In the parable of "The Persistent Widow" - Lk 18:1-8
 2. To the matter of "Bible study"
 a. Many people give up too soon in their Bible studies
 b. But those who persevere in their studies are the ones who
 benefit from the blessings God's Word provides - Psa 1:1-3;
 119:97-104
 3. To the matter of "evangelism"
 a. Many do not bear fruit because they give up too soon
 b. But we reap what we sow; the more persistent we are in 
 sowing, the more we will eventually reap
 
[If we desire success in any venture, but especially in prayer, Bible
study, and evangelism, then we must adopt "The Virtue Of Perseverance."
To encourage us to do so, Jesus goes on to provide...]
 
II. A MOTIVE FOR PERSEVERANCE (9-11)
 
 A. GOD DELIGHTS TO GIVE GOOD THINGS TO HIS CHILDREN...
 1. To illustrate, Jesus gives a simple argument (from the lesser
 to the greater)
 a. I.e., men give good gifts to their children who ask
 b. How much more so, will our Father in heaven!
  2. Jesus stressed this Fatherly attribute of God in His sermon
 a. In regards to our physical necessities - Mt 6:31-32
 b. And now in regards to things that are good for us - Mt 7:11
 
 B. THIS IS ESPECIALLY TRUE IN REGARDS TO PRAYER!
 1. As Jesus promised to His disciples in Jn 15:7
 a. Conditioned upon our abiding in Him
 b. Conditioned upon His words abiding in us
 2. As the apostle John wrote in 1 Jn 5:14-15
 a. Conditioned upon our asking according to His will
 b. Which assumes we know His will for us (i.e., His word is
 abiding in us)
 3. And as James wrote in Ja 4:3
 a. Presuming we are not asking for personal and selfish gain
 b. But many do not enjoy God's favor, simply because they do
 not ask!
 
CONCLUSION
 
1. To persevere, then, is a noble virtue, especially in regards to 
 prayer...
 a. We have a Father in heaven who is not untouched by the persistent
 pleas of His children
  b. Providing we do not ask amiss, persistent prayers will not go
 unanswered!
 
2. If we desire to receive, find, and have doors opened to us, then let
 us...
 a. Keep on asking
 b. Keep on seeking
 c. Keep on knocking
 ...not only in regards to prayer, but in all ventures worthy of 
 Christians (e.g., Bible study, evangelism)!
 
Have you asked, sought, or knocked today...?

The Golden Rule (7:12)
 
INTRODUCTION
 
1. Have you ever found yourself in a situation...
 a. Faced with the need to make a decision on the spur of the moment?
 b. Wondering what is the right way to act?
 c. Unable to recall whether the Bible specifically addresses the
 moral dilemma in which you find yourself?
 
2. In His sermon on the mount, Jesus provided a helpful tool in such a
 situation...
 a. A quick and easy way to know what to do
 b. Something that is easy to remember
 
3. It is found in Mt 7:12, and is commonly called "The Golden Rule"...
 
 "Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them,
 for this is the Law and the Prophets." (Mt 7:12)
 
[But what is "The Golden Rule"? Was Jesus teaching anything new or
original by what He stated? Well, in a way it was something new...]
 
I. THE "GOLDEN" RULE VS. THE "SILVER" RULES
 
 A. MANY HAVE TAUGHT THAT WHICH IS SIMILAR...
 
 1. The HINDU religion taught:
 
 This is the sum of duty: do naught to others which if done to
 thee would cause thee pain. - The Mahabharata
 
 2. The BUDDHIST religion taught:
 
  Hurt not others with that which pains yourself. - Udana-Varga
 
 3. The JEWISH traditions taught: 
 
 What is hateful to you, do not to your fellow men. That is the
 entire Law; all the rest is commentary. - The Talmud
  
 4. The MUSLIM religion taught:
 
 No one of you is a believer until he desires for his brother
 that which he desires for himself. - Hadith
 
 5. The BAHA'I faith teaches:
 
 He should not wish for others that which he doth not wish for
 himself, nor promise that which he doth not fulfil. - The 
 Book of Certitude
 
 6. Some other sources:
 a. Do not that to thy neighbor that thou wouldst not suffer
 from him. - Pittacus of Lesbos (650-570 BC)
 b. What you do not want others to do to you, do not do to 
 others. - Confucius (551-479 BC) 
 c. Do not do unto others what angers you if done to you by
 others. - Isocrates (436-338 BC)
 d. "Tzu-kung asked, `Is there a single word which can be a
 guide to conduct throughout one's life?' The Master said,
 `It is perhaps the word "shu". Do not impose on others what
 you yourself do not desire.'" - Analects, 15.24
  e. Treat your inferiors as you would be treated by your
 betters. - Seneca (4 BC-AD 65)
 
 B. JESUS' "RULE" WAS SLIGHTLY DIFFERENT...
 1. Jesus requires you to do something favorably to others, while
 the others only prohibit you from doing something unfavorably
 to others!
 a. Jesus: Do unto others what you want them to do to you
 b. Others: Don't do to others what you don't want done to you
 2. Note the difference...
 a. With the others, all that is required is that you don't
 harm other people
 b. With Jesus, what is required is that you show kindness to
 others
 3. Jesus' rule is truly the "Golden" rule
 a. The others are "Silver" rules
  b. Of value, yes, but not as much as "gold"
 4. The only ones that come close to teaching exactly what Jesus
 taught was:
 a. That found in Hadith, the traditions of Islam; but then,
 much of Islam is based upon what Jesus taught 600 years 
 before Mohammed
 b. That stated by Seneca, who lived about the same time as
 Christ (I wonder if he had been influenced by the teachings
 of Christ?)
 
[So what Jesus taught was something new compared to what many teachers
had taught prior. But in another sense it was nothing new; rather, in
a simple and easy to remember statement, Jesus gives us...]
 
II. A GUIDELINE FOR RIGHTEOUS CONDUCT TOWARDS OTHERS
 
 A. ONE IN HARMONY WITH THE LAW AND THE PROPHETS...
 1. As we have seen earlier in the sermon (cf. Mt 5:20-48)
 a. Jesus taught a standard righteousness that contrasted with
 that of the scribes and Pharisees
 b. But it was in harmony with what the Law actually revealed
 2. This one "rule" summarizes what the Law and the Prophets were
 all about
 3. Just as the commandment "Love your neighbor as yourself"
 summed up the Law according to Paul - Ro 13:8-10
 
 B. A SORT OF "POCKET KNIFE" OR "CARPENTER'S RULE"...
 1. That is, something that is always ready to be used
 2. For example, even in an emergency, when there is no time to
 consult a friend, teacher, or book for advice, "the golden 
 rule" can be guide for proper conduct
 3. Treat others as you would be treated, and it is unlikely you
 will ever do the wrong thing
 
III. SOME EXAMPLES OF HOW TO APPLY THIS "RULE"
 
 A. IN TEACHING THE LOST...
 1. Imagine what it must be like to be told you are wrong, or in
 sin
 2. Wouldn't you want to be told in a loving and patient spirit?
 3. As you would have others try to persuade you to change 
 religiously, so treat those you seek to convert - cf. 2 Ti 2:
 24-26; Ep 4:15
 
 B. IN CORRECTING ONE ANOTHER...
 1. No one likes to have their mistakes, errors, etc., point out
 2. When necessary, wouldn't we prefer to be approached with a
 meek and patient spirit?
 3. As you would have others offer you constructive criticism, so
 give it to them - cf. Ga 6:1-2
 
 C. IN TREATING OUR FAMILY, NEIGHBORS, ENEMIES...
 1. Everyone likes to have loving families, good neighbors, and no
 enemies
 2. Applying the golden rule will not only transform ourselves,
 but may also transform those around us!
 a. Sibling rivalry would cease
 b. Neighborly squabbles would be non-existent
 c. Enemies would become friends
 3. Don't limit the application of the Golden Rule to religious
 matters!
 
CONCLUSION
 
1. "The Golden Rule would reconcile capital and labor, all political
 contention and uproar, all selfishness and greed." Joseph Parker
 (1830-1902)
 a. Such would be the impact on our society if more followed Jesus'
 words
 b. But let's start close to home, and let the Golden Rule transform
 our own lives and those closest to us!
 
2. "We have committed the Golden Rule to memory; let us now commit it
 to life." Edwin Markham (1852-1940)
 a. This reflects what is true with most people; they know the rule,
 but don't live by it
 b. If Jesus is truly our Lord, then His "golden rule" will govern
 our life!

Are You On The Right Way? (7:13-14)
 
INTRODUCTION
 
1. Everyone is on a spiritual journey as they travel through life...
 a. Whether religious or not, we travel a spiritual path
 b. Every day we make choices that affects the direction in which we
 are headed
 
2. Many people think that the paths we can travel are many...
 a. In one sense that may be true; there are all kinds of religions
 b. But in another sense there are really only two paths or ways
 
3. In His sermon on the mount, Jesus spoke of these two ways - Mt 7:
 13-14
 a. Each with its own beginning, each with its own end
 b. One way is heavily populated, the other is traveled by few
 
4. Where are you in your spiritual sojourn?
 a. Are you on the right way?
 b. Are you heading in the right direction?
 
[To answer such questions, let's look closely at what Jesus said. Note
first that...]
 
I. THERE ARE TWO GATES
 
 A. THE WIDE GATE...
 1. "for wide is the gate..." - Mt 7:13
 2. This "gate" represents the beginning to the "way" that leads
 to destruction
 3. It is described as "wide"; evidently it is a gate which:
 a. Allows many to enter with no sacrifice on their part
 1) It does not require giving up anything
 2) One is allowed to bring along whatever "baggage" they 
 desire
  a) E.g., materialism
 b) E.g., prejudice, hatred, an unforgiving spirit
 c) E.g., believe whatever one wants to believe
 b. Is therefore chosen by most people
 1) For there are no restrictions concerning belief and
 behavior
 2) It is also opens the way to "the path of least 
 resistance"
 
 B. THE NARROW GATE...
 1. "Enter by the narrow gate.." - Mt 7:13
 2. This "gate" represents the beginning, or starting point, to
 the "way" that leads to life
 3. Why is it "narrow"? Because it is a gate which:
 a. Requires self-denial and obedience - cf. Mt 16:24
 b. Has no room for...
 1) A consuming desire for earthly goods - Mt 6:19-20
 2) An unforgiving spirit - Mt 6:14-15
 3) Self-righteousness - Mt 6:1
 -- As Jesus has already stressed in His sermon on the mount
 
[These two "gates" are only the starting points. Let's now take a 
closer look at the fact that...]
 
II. THERE ARE TWO WAYS
 
 A. THE BROAD WAY...
 1. "...broad is the way" - Mt 7:13
 2. The way that leads to destruction is broad because it allows:
 a. Any behavior one desires
 b. No need for reformation or changes in one's "lifestyle"
 3. Many people love this path
 a. They think they are "free"
 b. They believe they are "open-minded"
 c. They view themselves as "tolerant" of others in this same
 way
 
 B. THE CONSTRICTED WAY...
 1. "...difficult is the way" - Mt 7:14 (NKJV)
 a. "...narrow the road" (NIV)
 b. "the way is narrow" (NASB)
 c. "narrow is the way" (KJV)
 -- The picture is one of a narrow and difficult path between
  two cliffs
 2. The way that leads to life is "difficult" because it requires:
 a. A righteousness that exceeds that of many religious people
 - Mt 5:20
 b. A change in our behavior - cf. Mt 5:21-7:12
 3. Because of its difficulty, many choose not to travel its path
 a. They think it too "confining"
 b. They think it is too "narrow-minded"
 
[As Jesus describes the two gates and the two ways, He also reminds us
that...]
 
III. THERE ARE TWO GROUPS
 
 A. THE MANY...
 1. "There are many who go in by it" - Mt 7:13
 2. We have seen reasons why this is so:
 a. The entrance is wide: "Come as you are! No changes 
 necessary!"
 b. The way is broad: "Make your own rules! Believe what you
 want! Do what you want!"
 3. This is the way people travel by default; unless they are
 actively seeking the narrow path, this is the one they will
 travel
 
 B. THE FEW...
 1. "there are few who find it" - Mt 7:14
 2. As proven true so often in the past, only few will be saved
 a. E.g., the millions lost in the flood vs. the eight saved on
 the ark
 b. E.g., the hundreds of thousands lost in the wilderness vs.
  the two who entered the promised land
 -- So Jesus warned on another occasion - Lk 13:23-24
 3. That it must be "found" suggests effort must extended
 a. As Jesus said in Lk 13:24: "Strive to enter through the
 narrow gate..."
 b. Even then not all will be saved: "...for many, I say to
 you, will seek to enter and will not be able."
 -- Not just effort, but the right kind of effort - cf. Mt 5:6;
 6:33
 
[Finally, we note that Jesus tells us that...]
 
IV. THERE ARE TWO DESTINATIONS
 
 A. DESTRUCTION...
 1. "...broad is the way that leads to destruction" - Mt 7:13
 2. Paul wrote of the "everlasting destruction" that is to come 
 - 2 Th 1:7-9
 a. Upon those who know not God
 b. Upon those who obey not the gospel of Jesus Christ
 3. John described it as "a lake of fire" - Re 20:15; 21:8
 -- A most sobering thought are these words of Jesus: "...there
 are many who go in by it." - Mt 7:13
 
 B. LIFE...
 1. "...difficult is the way which leads to life" - Mt 7:14
 2. This "life" is the "everlasting life" received at the judgment
 - Mt 25:46
 3. It is the "gift of God", given at the end - Ro 6:22-23
 a. To those who have been set free from sin - cf. Ro 6:3-7
 b. To those who became slaves of God and of righteousness
 - cf. Ro 6:17-18
 c. To those who bore the fruit of holiness - cf. Ro 6:20-22
 -- Another sobering thought are these words about the way that
 leads to this life: "...there are few who find it." - Mt 7:14
 
CONCLUSION
 
1. So we have seen that Jesus describes:
 a. Two gates
 b. Two ways
 c. Two groups
 d. Two destinations
 
2. Are there many roads that lead to heaven?
 a. Many people like to think so
 b. That all religions lead to heaven
 c. That it really doesn't matter what you believe or do, as long as
 you are sincere
 
3. But according to Jesus...
 a. There are only two roads (ways)
 b. One leads to life, i.e., heaven
 c. The other road, filled with many people with many different 
 beliefs, leads to destruction!
 
4. Are you on the right way, the only way, that leads to life?
 a. Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes
 to the Father except through Me." - Jn 14:6
 b. The way that He provides is a narrow one, for He requires that
 people keep His commandments - Mt 28:19-20
 
Will you be among the few, or the many? Let Jesus direct you along the
narrow way that leads to eternal life!

Watch Out For Wolves! (7:15-20)
 
INTRODUCTION
 
1. Many people like to think that you can trust religious leaders...
 a. Ministers normally rank high in polls concerning people you can
 trust
 b. People will often accept whatever a preacher, priest, or rabbi
 says as the truth
 
2. Yet Jesus told His disciples to beware of false prophets - Mt 7:
 15-20
 a. They may appear like sheep, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves
 b. We need to be able to identify them, knowing what to look for
 
3. Are you concerned about false prophets today? You should be!
 a. The great diversity of teaching suggests that many are being
 misled
 b. We need to be reminded of the danger, and know how to spot any
 "wolves" that might come our way!
 
[With the words of our Savior in Mt 7:15-20 fresh on our mind, I wish
to use this opportunity to remind us to "Watch Out For Wolves!" Let me
first re-emphasize the point that...]
 
I. THERE WILL BE FALSE PROPHETS
 
 A. AS PAUL WARNED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS...
 1. To the Ephesian elders - Ac 20:28-31
 a. Telling them to take heed
 b. For even from among themselves would men arise, misleading
 people
 2. To the church at Corinth - 2 Co 11:13-15
 a. Referring to false teachers present even then
 b. Appearing as ministers of righteousness, even as Satan
 appears as an angel of light
 3. To the young preacher Timothy - 1 Ti 4:1-3; 2 Ti 3:1-9
 a. Warning of the apostasy that would come
 b. Describing the character and tactics of those who would
 mislead others
 
 B. AS DID OTHER NEW TESTAMENT WRITERS...
 1. Peter, in telling of the rise of false teachers - 2 Pe 2:1-3
 2. John, in calling for people to "test the spirits" - 1 Jn 4:1
 3. Jude, in writing of some who had already come - Ju 3-4
 
[With so many warnings, this is not a subject to take lightly! But how
can we spot such "wolves" when they appear so disarming (like sheep)?
Thanks to Jesus and the Word of God...]
 
II. WE CAN IDENTIFY FALSE PROPHETS
 
 A. BY EXAMINING THE FRUIT OF THEIR LIFE...
 1. We can know them by their "fruit" - Mt 7:16-20
 a. What is truly in their heart will eventually come out
  b. For from the heart proceeds any sin that may be there
 - cf. Mk 7:21-23
 2. Thus false teachers and false prophets are often betrayed...
 a. By their greediness (e.g., as manifested by their lavish
 lifestyles)
  b. By their immorality (e.g., as manifested by adulterous
 relationships)
 c. By their lust for power (e.g., as manifested by religious
 empires)
 -- Given time, the true character of many false prophets will be
  exposed by the fruit of their life!
 
 B. BY EXAMINING THE FRUIT OF THEIR TEACHING...
 1. Taking notice of their methods
 a. Working secretly - cf. 2 Pe 2:1
 1) Their ministries (especially finances) will be shrouded
  in secrecy
 2) Rather than being open to one and all - cf. 2 Co 8:20-21
 b. Appealing to covetousness - cf. 2 Pe 2:3
 1) They draw people with an appeal to what people often
 covet (such as health and wealth)
 2) Rather than preparing people for what Christians can
 expect - cf. Ac 14:23; 2 Ti 3:12
 c. Using deceptive words - cf. 2 Ti 3:13; 2 Pe 2:3
 1) Twisting the scriptures to support their message (just
  as Satan did in trying to tempt Jesus)
 2) Rather handling the word of God rightly - 2 Ti 2:14-16
 2. Taking notice of their doctrine
 a. How they twist and pervert the scriptures - cf. Ga 1:8-9
 1) Their gospel may start out right, but becomes twisted
 along the way
 2) Their teaching often expressed in the terms of man, not
 Scripture
 b. How they teach that which is clearly contrary to the
 scriptures - cf. Deu 13:1-4
 1) Even if they appear able to perform signs and wonders!
 2) The final test is how their teaching compares to the
 word of God and that of His apostles - cf. 1 Jn 4:1,6
 
CONCLUSION