15 “Beware of the false prophets! They come to you wearing sheep’s clothing, but underneath they are hungry wolves! 16 You will recognize them by their fruit. Can people pick grapes from thorn bushes, or figs from thistles? 17 Likewise, every healthy tree produces good fruit, but a poor tree produces bad fruit. 18 A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, or a poor tree good fruit. 19 Any tree that does not produce good fruit is cut down and thrown in the fire! 20 So you will recognize them by their fruit.
21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord!’ will enter the Kingdom of Heaven, only those who do what my Father in heaven wants. 22 On that Day, many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord! Didn’t we prophesy in your name? Didn’t we expel demons in your name? Didn’t we perform many miracles in your name?’ 23 Then I will tell them to their faces, ‘I never knew you! Get away from me, you workers of lawlessness!’[Matthew 7:23 Psalm 6:9(8)]
"Watch Out For False Prophets" by Author: Mallory Sauer
David Koresh was the leader of a cult known as the Branch Davidians. Koresh’s vices included adultery, polygamy, and child abuse. He also claimed to be the “Messiah.” The disturbing practices and illegal actions of his group resulted in an infamous gun battle with law enforcement, culminating in Koresh’s death and the deaths of many of his followers.While this is an extreme example of a modern-day false prophet, one lesson we learn from this awful story is to choose leaders carefully and hold them accountable to God’s standards. The Bible cautions us, “Do not put your trust in princes, in human beings, who cannot save” (Psalm 146:3). To expect constant perfection from a spiritual leader would be unrealistic. However, we must ask these questions: Do my leaders strive to be in step with God’s Word and His holy character? Do they practice love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control? Do they love justice and mercy?
God will be the final judge; nevertheless, believers must seek godly wisdom to evaluate the actions of leaders and determine if they truly serve God or if they have evil intentions. Know God’s Word and guard your salvation!
Hymn for Today: "Open My Eyes, That I May See" by Clara H. Scott
1. Open my eyes, that I may see
glimpses of truth thou hast for me;
place in my hands the wonderful key
that shall unclasp and set me free.
Silently now I wait for thee,
ready, my God, thy will to see.
Open my eyes, illumine me, Spirit divine!
2. Open my ears, that I may hear
voices of truth thou sendest clear;
and while the wavenotes fall on my ear,
everything false will disappear.
Silently now I wait for thee,
ready, my God, thy will to see.
Open my ears, illumine me, Spirit divine!
3. Open my mouth, and let me bear
gladly the warm truth everywhere;
open my heart and let me prepare
love with thy children thus to share.
Silently now I wait for thee,
ready, my God, thy will to see.
Open my heart, illumine me, Spirit divine!
Thought for Today:
"then, so far as your former way of life is concerned, you must strip off your old nature, because your old nature is thoroughly rotted by its deceptive desires; and you must let your spirits and minds keep being renewed," [Ephesians 4:22-23].
Please pray:
For the development of Christian leaders in Uganda.
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For the development of Christian leaders in Uganda.
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