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You will know them by their fruit… (English Standard Version Bible used) (Pg.1)
— Right after telling the people how to ask and receive answers to prayer… (Matthew 7:7-11)

Jesus continues teaching in Matthew 7:12… “So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets. (SEE: of the Law in Mark 12:28-34.)

Q1. So, do you think doing good to others relates to receiving what we ask for from God?

— Do you think obedience has anything to do with receiving answers from God?

☐ Yes, why would God give to a disobedient child.         ☐ No, it shouldn’t matter.

Jesus goes on to teach of the challenges of obediently following God… Matthew 7:13-14… “Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. (14) For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.” …(Note the underlined statement of the way to life.)

Q2. These are key life-verses — My question is: How does “entering in by the narrow gate” relate to our asking and receiving from God, and doing to others?

 

Jesus goes on to teach of the challenges of obediently following God… Matthew 7:13-14… “Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. (14) For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.”

Q2. These are key life-verses — My question is: How does “entering in by the narrow gate” relate to our asking and receiving from God, and doing to others?

— Has it anything to do with denying self, and making God the Lord of your life?

Denying self:__________________________________________________________________

Making God Lord:______________________________________________________________

 

Then Jesus tells us how to remain faithful in Vs.15-20… “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 thornbushes, or figs from thistles? (17) So, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit. (18) A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit. (19) Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. (20) Thus you will recognize them by their fruits.

— Jesus first warns them of “false prophets”… who are in truth, “ravenous wolves”.
— Then Jesus brings out the subject of false leaders as diseased fruit trees… (Vs.18-20)

In our study today we will look into these dangers, and how we are to recognize them and avoid falling for their deceptions.

Q3. I would first ask you to consider an important question: What is a false believer?
— Consider that Satan believes in Jesus, however, he refuses His Lordship.

Comments:___________________________________________________________________

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You will know them by their fruit…        (Pg.2)
Jesus is teaching of discerning ‘false leadership’ — Consider more examples from the Bible:

— Jesus speaks of discernment in Matthew 24:23-27… Then if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or ‘There he is!’ do not believe it.  (24)  For false christs and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect.  (25)  See, I have told you beforehand.  (26)  So, if they say to you, ‘Look, he is in the wilderness,’ do not go out. If they say, ‘Look, he is in the inner rooms,’ do not believe it.  (27)  For as the lightning comes from the east and shines as far as the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man.
Q4. Here Jesus tells us how to discern an attempt to deceive us… Can you spot the error these false leaders are caught in? _________________________________________________

2nd Peter 2:1-3… But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction. (2) And many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of truth will be *blasphemed. (* means spoken evil of) (3) And in their greed they will exploit you with false words. Their condemnation from long ago is not idle, and their destruction is not asleep.
Q5. (SEE Vs.3) What will Satan use to motivate his false prophets? ______________________

Romans 16:17-18… I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them. (18) For such persons do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites, and by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive.
— Here Paul is warning of those who desire fame, which is the evil fruit of personal ambition.
Q6. The appetite for power and personal ambition is the sign of the followers of…             ☐ Our loving Creator God.          ☐ The pride filled fallen angel Satan.

— We close our study today with this blessing, and the main question to be answered…

Philippians 1:9-11…  And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, (10) so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, (11) filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.

Q7. How do we become ‘mature’ in Christ, trained to distinguish good from evil?

(*Note the underlined in) Hebrews 5:14 But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil.

— As we turn to our time of prayer… Let us praise God for His work in us, as frustrating as it sometimes may seem… For His purpose is to strengthen and protect us from being deceived.

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You will know them by their fruit… (Added scripture reference – Mark 12:28-34)

Mark 12:28-34 (ESV) And one of the scribes came up and heard them disputing with one another, and seeing that he answered them well, asked him, “Which commandment is the most important of all?” (29) Jesus answered, “The most important is, ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. (30) And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ (31) The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.”