Christian: Are those who preach the Word, but whose behaviour isn't in perfect accord with the Word, Christian

Question

"Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thorns, or figs from thistles?...A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit...Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. Not everyone that saith to me Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven...And everyone that heareth these sayingsof mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man..."
Matthew 7:15-27

If your behaviour is not in perfect accord with the Word, do you bring forth good fruit, or evil fruit? If you do not live by the Word of Jesus, yet call yourself Christian and preach in His name, are you not a ravening wolf in sheep's clothing, a foolish man who built his house on sand?

If you are not perfect (Matthew 5:48), should you be preaching the Word to others?

Answer 1

I am not perfect by any means, but I bring forth good fruit, so I don't understand your reasoning. No tree is perfect, even a tree with a limb cut off or some sort of problem like that can bring out good fruit.

If you are waiting to be perfect according to the Word, you will not be able to preach the Word until you die! God isn't wanting you to be perfect, He says you already are. He just wants a relationship with you, and if you wait until you are perfect to do it, it won't happen!

Answer 2

The Greek word translated into English in some versions of the Bible as "perfect" is more acurately translated as "complete or mature".

No one except Jesus is able to live their life in perfect accord with God's Word. The best we can do is to live a life without sinning on purpose and when we sin on accident we immediately confess and repent of it. A good preacher will grow a congregation up in Christ being used by God to bring the flock along to maturity. If the people in a given church are more like Jesus than they were the year before then the "fruit" of the preacher is good fruit. If they don't seem to be any different or if they hold to a doctrine that preaches "another Christ" than the Jesus revealed in the Bible then that's evil fruit or no fruit.

Answer 3

There was only one perfect person that walked the Earth and that was Jesus. Just because we are Christians, does not mean we don't make mistakes and all of life is a learning and growing experience. Some Christians who you may encounter "preaching the word" may be at a totally different stage in their spiritual growth than you might think so it is not wise to presume that because they are telling you about God, that they are fully matured in their walk. We are told to tell what God has done in our lives. We are not to force our beliefs on anyone. Jesus tells us in the Book of John, that if we talk with someone and they do not want to hear, we are to turn and walk away. Jesus was gentle and loving, we are to be the same way. We, however, are not perfect and although we might be excited about what God is doing in our lives and want to share that with others, it does not mean we don't make mistakes or we don't still have some growing to do.

Answer 4

I will say that you definitely have me thinking. Yes one must be careful to walk the walk or the message has no meaning. Many are led astray by false teachers. We all must be careful to not become anti-Christs. We are all capable of this. Do you remember how Christ said to Peter: "Get behind me Satan.." This is what he is saying. We all fall short but we should all strive for perfection. Just like when Jesus fell on the Way of the Cross He got back up so must we in this life. When we fall, when we fail God, as we will, we must ask forgiveness and start again.

Answer 5

'' For all have sinned and fallen short of the Grace ? of GOD ''. I know the verse but am unsure of the last word. When you accept him into your life you become a Christian. None of us is perfect but should strive to get there. As for your question, YES. We should all share our beliefs, preach if you will, to teach the unknowing about God and hope that we wont be judged by our actions. Since none are perfect then I believe we all might fall under you quoted scripture and the unbelievers or worse yet the unknowing might never get the word.

Answer 6

I do not think that perfection is what God is seeking, He does want "the truth" to be taught. Are there truly "many false prophets" who "are gone out into the world"? Jesus said there would be "many false prophets" who should arise "and deceive many" (Matt. 24:11).
The Bible makes it clear that false teachers will deceive many people into believing false doctrines. The only way to know for sure that you are right with God is to know what He has to say and trust Him rather than men. If, as many people believe, everyone's religion is equally valid and acceptable, how can there be "any" false prophets, let alone "many false prophets"? The fact that the Bible says there shall be "many false prophets" implies that not everyone's religion is pleasing before God.

Answer 7

I understand where your coming from. Being someone who was raised in church all my life. There have been a few times where I didn't agree with our pastor, what he preached or something he did. But we must remember that we are human and we all make mistakes. Not one of us is perfect and it is not for us to judge but God's. If there is something that you don't agree with, pray about it. God asks us to be the best we can, to live by his commandments.But He also knows we faulter and He forgives us. With so many different religions around,not one that I've seen actually lives in perfect accord with the bible. But, everyone interpets the bible differently. That's why there's many.

Answer 8

Well, thats just it.....it is impossible to be Holy oe perfect.
"There is none not perfect, no not one."
Thats why we need Jesus and His grace. He gave us a pardon, because we can none keep the Law. He payed the price. God is Just and there has to be punishment for sin. Jesus took it for us. We just have to accept Him.

There are many false prophets...Jesus said His sheep would know His voice. The Holy Spirit gives us the Spirit of Decernment. That is His gift to us.

No one is worthy to preach the Gospel...but Jesus told us to go in the Highway and Hedges to do so.

We should do our best to live for Christ, He did so much for us.

Please call on Him today. He will run to you.

Answer 9

I will speak for my family on this. My husband is a preacher and we both are out of fellowship with God and Jesus and he doesn't preach right now. No saved person is going to be perfect not on this earth cause of our flesh. My husband will not go around preaching knowing his heart isn't right. We both are still saved. Nothing can pluck us out of his hand. You will find many in the bible who sinned and still was saved. King David sinned and then tried to lie about it. All he asked for is that the Lord return unto him the Joy of thy salvation. Peter who denied Christ. Paul wrote Romans 7:15-24 and even he had a thorn in the flesh. Thomas who doubted the Lord. These men I have named all sinned and was still saved. They was not perfect, and no one will be till they get their new body.

Answer 10

No one is perfect, not even Christians it is part of our humanity. It is important to preach the word only if you are firmly knowing of the word. One of the most important teachings in Romans is not to judge others. It is difficult not to judge but is something most Christians should strive for. As Christians we should be an example to others by our behaviur, you are right.