What does this Scriptural reference mean to you?

Question

Matthew 7:15 - Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.

Peace and Love

Answer 1

Is that what that reference says... wow, the Philiadelphia Trumpet used it to explain how Jesus predicted a Nuclear war. Ironic...

Answer 2

That one should Discern by Fruits, Not Gifts
True prophets obey Jesus' teachings. Like the false prophets of old (Jer 6:13-14; 8:11; 23:13-17; Ezek 13:1-16; Mic 3:5-8), those Matthew warns against in 7:15 probably proclaim a gospel of false peace, an easy way that neglects God's true demands Matthew elsewhere warns against false prophets (7:22; 24:5, 24) and apostate Christians and leaders in the church (24:12, 48-51). Jesus elsewhere applies the present denunciations of fruitless trees against the religious leaders of his day (12:33; compare 3:8, 10; 21:19; 23:3), but because his words in this context address prophets (which most Pharisees thought no longer existed in their day), one suspects that Matthew wants Christians of his own generation to take notice.

Jesus' words are not only polemic against enemies of the faith from the outside; they are also warnings to us who claim to be Jesus' followers. We dare not restrict the title "hypocrites" to Jesus' religious contemporaries (6:2, 5, 16; pace Did. 8:1-2); God's subsequent servants may share the same fate (24:51). This passage presents us with several lessons.

False Prophets and Their Teaching Pose a Real Danger to Believers (7:15)

They are like hungry wolves who disguise themselves as sheep. People in Jesus' day could disguise themselves in sheepskins in the hope of being taken for stray dogs or other animals (Jos. War 3.192). Jesus' image is, however, more graphic than that, employing hyperbole: wolves do not wear clothes, and changing one's hide was a metaphor for the impossible (Jer 13:23; Jub. 37:20). By coming in sheep's clothing, the false prophets pretend to be sheep (Acts 20:29-30) though they are in fact hungry wolves who have come to prey on sheep (compare Mt 10:16).

Answer 3

Tele-evangelists that are loaded with money, all of them millionaires that are going on television & bible-thumping, using religion 2 get even richer & using the excuse that God dont want any of us 2 be poor & u must give 2 receive, 2 fleece the gullible, unfortunate, people out there. Of course they avoid the verse where Jesus say that it is easier for a camel 2 pass thru a 'needle eye' than it is for a rich man 2 enter the Kingdom of Heaven.Those tele-evangelists & the other church leaders out there who are using religion 2 get rich are what the bible are speaking about.

Answer 4

To me it means that I need to be aware of what the Word really says. If not, it's too easy for someone to come along, change just a little here and there, and lead me down a wrong path. Those people say things that sound good on the surface, but their way leads to death--death of the soul. Just like following a cute sheep that turned out to be a hungry wolf would lead to physical death.

Answer 5

Any person claiming to be a minister of Christ and teaches ANYTHING that doesn't agree with the teachings of Christ is a false prophet. The message of Jesus was quite clear. Those who teach anything other than that aren't christian at all, but just claim christianity.

Answer 6

People who say that they are Christians but give advice that is not correct or moral by the standards of a Christian. If you are in doubt about something religious you should research your Bible. Don't take advice from people that you don't know. I wouldn't lie to anyone about religion or give anyone advice if I didn't really have the right answer or if I were in doubt of myself, but there are many who do and they don't care if they do harm to others or if the advice they gives makes someone harm themselves. They are hiding behind the term "Christian" to influence and they don't care if they are not telling the truth!

Answer 7

Where better to wreak havoc, than in a Church with trusting believers of GOD.

It is a favorite playground for "devils little helpers". After all, why go where the people already worship false gods, they are aready off of Gods narrow path.

Answer 8

It means just what it says, beware =)

<>< Joshua 24:15

Answer 9

Basically, that was added so that if you heard anything from someone who was not an ordained priest, it was false, even if came directly from Jesus himself. To the church, a false prophet is anyone who does not agree totally with them on all things

Answer 10

This scripture means exactly what it says... how is it so hard to understand?

Beware of people that preach false doctorines. They pretend to have good intentions but they really want to mislead you.