Transcript

Detours To The Narrow Way

Matthew 7:15-20
September 28, 2008
Pastor Randy Smith

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In John Bunyan's classic, Pilgrim's Progress, an allegory of the Christian life, we read:

I beheld, then, that they all went on till they came to the foot of the Hill of Difficulty; at the bottom of which was a spring. There were also in the same place two other ways besides that which came straight from the gate; one turned to the left hand and the other to the right at the bottom of the hill; but the narrow way lay right up the hill, and the name of the going up the side of the hill is called Difficulty. Christian now went to the spring, and drank thereof, to refresh himself, and then began to go up the hill, saying -

The hill, though high, I covet to ascend,
The difficulty will not me offend;
For I perceive the way to life lies here.
Come, pluck up heart, let's neither faint nor fear;
Better, though difficult, the right way to go,
Than wrong, though easy, where the end is woe.

Two weeks ago we learned about these wide and narrow gates spoken of in Matthew 7:13-14. These two gates are symbolic of the two spiritual journeys each person is traveling. The wide gate leads to a wide road which ends in destruction. This way is easy. Jesus tells us many chose this route. However, the narrow gate leads to a narrow road which ends in life. Few choose this route because as we just heard from Pilgrim, the way is fraught with obstacles and difficulties.

These obstacles and difficulties on the narrow road are many, but they often come from one of three sources that together we have often spoken of: the flesh, the world and the devil. However, there is also another category, maybe we could even consider it a fourth category, that adds to the challenge and difficulty of the Christian life. Few talk about it, but Jesus makes a special point to address it in His Sermon. We find it spoken of in our passage this morning: False Teachers.

I was very tempted to take a larger section of Scripture, but after further study and consideration, believe we need a special sermon on this specific area alone. Here are some of my reasons.

First, ignoring or misapplying all that we covered in the Sermon on the Mount will have drastic spiritual consequences on individuals. Yet failing to apply Jesus' instruction here on false teachers will have drastic consequences on an entire church. The Bible is clear: a little leaven can spoil a whole lump of dough (1 Cor. 5:6; Gal. 5:9). Or to use a more modern analogy, it only takes one bad apple in a bushel to spoil all the apples that come in contact. History testifies that churches have been destroyed because of one false teacher.

Second, it is impossible to read the Bible and not come across example after example and warning after warning pertaining to the destructive nature of false teachers (cf. 2 Pet. 2:1-3). They are spoken of throughout the Old Testament. Almost every New Testament book speaks of them. And the Bible warns of their increase in the future culminating at our Lord's Return (Mt. 24:4-5). For example, in 2 Timothy 3:13 Paul said, "But evil men and impostors will proceed from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived." Obviously God has a reason for His repeated references to false teachers.

Third, we live in an age that lacks discernment. I am appalled at the sources that the American evangelical church finds acceptable for their spiritual enrichment. When the apostle Paul went to Berea to preach, the Bible says the Bereans "received the word with great eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so" (Ac. 17:11). These people rightly compared what the great apostle said with the Bible. Yet way too often we accept any pastor or any speaker or any author who claims to be speaking from God but clearly contradicts the teachings of Scripture.

And fourth, I want our teaching ministry here at the Grace Tabernacle to be transparent. I want nothing happening behind the scenes. Everything is on the table. All that we say is under the scrutiny of the Bible. Our teachers are to be accepted only as long as we teach Scripture. It is a high level of accountability, but it is one that is expected from God, and it is one that should be expected from you as well.

So without further say, let's examine three components of false teachers. First the definition, second the danger and third the detection. The definition, the danger and the detection.

1. THE DEFINITION OF FALSE TEACHERS

In verse 15 Jesus calls us to "beware of false prophets." Who was Jesus referring to when He spoke of "false prophets?"

The word "prophet" refers to someone who speaks on behalf of God. Though we commonly think of a prophet as foretelling the future, most often in Scripture they are engaged in the act of forthtelling. In other words, they function as God's mouthpiece to presently declare His inerrant truth. They speak God's words. In that sense I am a prophet before you this morning. Though God's words were not revealed to me directly, I am taking God's prophetic words (2 Pet. 1:19), standing on the authority of Scripture and declaring, "Thus saith the Lord!" So if I fulfill my responsibilities correctly, I am not here to share opinions, tell jokes or make you cry through sentimental stories. I am here to speak on behalf of God by declaring and explaining and applying the Word of God. And I hope with all of my heart that is why all of you have come to the Grace Tabernacle this morning - to hear the voice of your Shepherd through Scripture. As I have said in the past, I am only the waiter attempting to take the food from the chef to your table without messing things up. If you like the food or have a problem with what was prepared, that is between you and the chef. The apostle Paul put it like this, 2 Corinthians 4:5, "For we do not preach ourselves but Christ Jesus as Lord, and ourselves as your bond-servants for Jesus' sake."

So if a true prophet speaks accurately on behalf of God, a false prophet obviously does the just the opposite. False, pseudo in the Greek, which also could be translated "lie." Therefore a false prophet is one who claims to be speaking from God, either directly from personal revelation or indirectly using the Bible, but is failing to live up to his or her billing. Instead of speaking the truth, he or she is speaking lies.

False prophets were running rampant during the time of Jeremiah the prophet. Listen to God's words, "'I did not send these prophets, but they ran. I did not speak to them, but they prophesied. But if they had stood in My council, Then they would have announced My words to My people, and would have turned them back from their evil way and from the evil of their deeds'" (Jer. 23:21-22). God continues, "'Behold, I am against those who have prophesied false dreams,' declares the LORD, 'and related them and led My people astray by their falsehoods and reckless boasting; yet I did not send them or command them, nor do they furnish this people the slightest benefit,' declares the LORD."

And though Jesus uses the term "false prophets" here in Matthew 7, synonymous terms are seen throughout the New Testament: false apostles (2 Cor. 11:13), false speakers (1 Tim. 4:2), false witnesses (Mt. 26:60), false brothers (2 Cor. 11:26), false christs (Mt. 24:24) and false teachers (2 Pet. 2:1). So don't be thrown off if you hear me use some of these terms interchangeably throughout the sermon.

2. THE DANGER OF FALSE TEACHERS

From the definition of a false teacher we move to the second point - the danger a false teacher.

Obviously the false teacher is someone who should bring us great concern. Jesus begins verse 15 with the word, "Beware" (NIV - "watch out"). The image is conveyed of danger, bridge out up ahead, potential destruction, hurricane warning, hazardous conditions!

The end of verse 15 makes the danger more descriptive: "[They] come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves."

Sheep were common when Jesus spoke these words in the first century. And the most common predator to the sheep were wolves. As you know, the Bible often compares Christians to sheep in God's flock, and here Jesus compares false teachers to wolves. You get the picture: as a wolf is dangerous to a sheep, a false teacher is dangerous to a Christian.

A few weeks ago, we took an overnight family trip to north Jersey. At the campground where we were staying was a rather large pen containing a pack of wolves. After hiking for a while and arriving at this pen, one of the wolves approached us in a very playful manner. Though we were separated by two fences, there was a temptation to want to pet the animal. Yet something that looked so attractive and friendly and innocent had the potential to tear us to shreds. This is the comparison Jesus makes with false teachers. They may appear very approachable. They may seem rather innocent. They may even look like one of us, a sheep in God's flock, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves.

Let's consider this illustration and use our Bibles to prove its reality.

First of all, like wolves, false teachers are deadly. Jesus uses the word "ravenous" (NIV - "ferocious"). Elsewhere in the Bible we read, "But these, like unreasoning animals, born as creatures of instinct to be captured and killed, reviling where they have no knowledge, will in the destruction of those creatures also be destroyed" (2 Pet. 2:12; cf. Jude 10). Deuteronomy 13 speaks about those who "seduce you from the way in which the LORD your God commanded you to walk" (Dt. 13:5). Second John informs us that "many deceivers have gone out into the world" (2 Jn. 1:7; cf. Eph. 5:6). Peter warns us they are "springs without water and mists driven by a storm, for whom the black darkness has been reserved" (2 Pet. 2:17). And in Colossians we read of those who take us captive (Col. 2:8).

A wolf is deadly to a sheep. Here is a verse from Ezekiel that will paint a graphic picture in your mind: "Her princes within her are like wolves tearing the prey, by shedding blood and destroying lives in order to get dishonest gain" (Eze. 22:27). God wants us to see false teachers in the same light. We must realize that false teachers are just as deadly to God's flock: shattered lives, deceived people, unproductive Christians and split churches are left behind in their wake.

Second, like wolves, false teachers are deceptive. Jesus said they look just like one of us. Deep down inside they may be a wolf, but based on their outward façade they appear to be a fellow sheep. They may dress well, have a good command of the Bible, exhibit a charming and charismatic personality, act pious, be dogmatic and know all the Christian clichés. They pose as our friend. They sacrificially offer their time. They extend us genuine help. Yet despite the disguise, they are not doing God's work. Paul hit the nail on the head when he said, "For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. No wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. Therefore it is not surprising if his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness, whose end will be according to their deeds" (2 Cor. 11:13-15).

That word "ravenous" in verse 15 is the Greek word harpax. The same form of that word is used two other times in the New Testament. In both cases it is translated "swindler" (Lk. 18:11; 1 Cor. 6:10). Like wolves, false teachers are swindlers, they are crafty and subtle and deceptive. As Jude wrote, "For certain persons have crept in unnoticed" (Jude 4). Even more frightening were the apostle Paul's comments to the Ephesians elders in Acts 20: "I know that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; and from among your own selves men will arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them" (Ac. 20:28-29). This is the greatest deception when false teachers rise up within your own church.

3. THE DETECTION OF FALSE TEACHERS

So from the definition to the danger to the detection. By now you hopefully are wondering - if these false teachers are so deadly and so deceptive how will I be able to spot them?

Jesus provides that answer in verses 16-20 as He changes the metaphor from animals to agriculture. "You will know them by their fruits. Grapes are not gathered from thorn bushes nor figs from thistles, are they? So every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot produce bad fruit, nor can a bad tree produce good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. So then, you will know them by their fruits."

When I am in Armenia, I notice that most people who own their own home also have a personal orchard planted on their property. Quite often they are self-sufficient to supply their necessary levels of vegetables and fruits. When you are scraping to provide food, ornamental trees are a waste of space, shade trees are an added commodity, but fruit trees are an absolute necessity. So with so much riding on this and many trees looking similar to other ones, how does one know whether or not a specific tree fulfills this necessity? The answer arrives only when that tree produces fruit. Show me an apple and then I have proof you are an apple tree. Show me an apricot and then I have proof you are an apricot tree. You get the picture.

Here is the principle: fruit is the proof of one's true identity. So while spiritual sheep and spiritual wolves may look alike on the outside, they are to be distinguished by the spiritual fruit they produce. Bad trees show themselves by producing bad fruit. Good trees show themselves by producing good fruit. False teachers show themselves by producing false fruit. Good teachers show themselves by producing good fruit. Like trees, false teachers cannot hide their identity forever. Sooner or later they are betrayed by their fruit. Jesus does not want us to be in the dark! He brackets the detection of false teachers by saying in verses 16 and 20, "You will know them by their fruits."

So now you are probably wondering, what exactly is the fruit I should be looking for that identifies a false teacher? Allow me to divide that answer into three categories.

The first is character. As John Calvin once said, "Nothing is more difficult to counterfeit than virtue."

The Bible makes it clear what you should look for in true shepherds of the church (1 Tim 3:1-13; Tit. 1:5-9; 1 Pet. 5:1-4). False teachers usually manifest all the opposite attributes. Rather than joyfully serving the flock, they are in it for the money. Rather than manifesting humility, they are proud. Rather than a desire to see God get the glory, they are doing it to fuel their own egos and satisfy their own ends. Rather than a will to serve, they want a position of power. Rather than sacrificing for the church, they believe others are there to meet their needs. And rather than suffering for the church, they are quick to run at the slightest inconvenience.

I personally believe this is why so many false teachers on television can so easily fly under the radar. Nobody ever sees their life up close. They are sheltered in layers of protection from public scrutiny. Everybody sees their best side, but who has observed the health of their marriage and the orderliness of their family? Are they really manifesting the fruit of the Spirit, or are they more engulfed in the deeds of the flesh when the camera is off (Gal. 5:19-23)? Character will usually give away a false teacher. Does their lifestyle contradict clear biblical principles?

The second test for a false teacher is their content. In other words, does their teaching contradict clear biblical principles?

Allow me to be clear, very few false teachers will publicly identify themselves as false teachers. I would even venture to say that the majority of false teachers do not even believe they are false teachers. Though greatly deceived, most believe they are doing good. Most believe they are helping the church. That is why we must not be so gullible and accept everything we hear. We must examine the content of their teaching with the Bible.

Their error is often subtle. Much of what they say is true; often their error comes in what they omit. Since false teachers are primarily concerned with a following, hardly ever will you hear them speak on the biblical doctrines that are offensive. Contrary to what Jesus taught, the doctrines of hell and holiness and repentance and God's wrath just never seem to make it into their messages.

This was a major problem in Israel just prior to the Babylonian captivity. God's judgment was upon the nation for her disobedience. But rather than speaking the truth and calling for repentance, the false prophets ran around saying, "'Peace, peace,' [when] there [was] no peace" (Jer. 6:14; 8:11). Listen to Jeremiah's lament, "But, 'Ah, Lord GOD!' I said, 'Look, the prophets are telling them: 'You will not see the sword nor will you have famine, but I will give you lasting peace in this place.'' Then the LORD said to me, ''The prophets are prophesying falsehood in My name. I have neither sent them nor commanded them nor spoken to them; they are prophesying to you a false vision, divination, futility and the deception of their own minds. Therefore thus says the LORD concerning the prophets who are prophesying in My name, although it was not I who sent them - yet they keep saying, 'There will be no sword or famine in this land' - by sword and famine those prophets shall meet their end'" (Jer. 14:13-15).

The prophet Isaiah also speaks of the same problem: "For this is a rebellious people, false sons, sons who refuse to listen to the instruction of the LORD; who say to the seers, 'You must not see visions;' and to the prophets, 'You must not prophesy to us what is right, speak to us pleasant words, prophesy illusions'" (Isa. 30:9-10).

Just staying within the context of Matthew 7, false teachers want nothing to do with the narrow gate. They have a way to make it wider than Jesus would permit - entrance by one other than Jesus, permissiveness of carnal living, ignoring Beatitude Attitudes or the rejection of Christ's lordship. Ironically, the destruction resulting from the broad road that they never talk about is the very place they are directing themselves and others.

J.I. Packer remarked, "Anyone who is in a position of spiritual leadership who fails to teach the more demanding, less comfortable, 'narrow gate' and 'rough road' side of discipleship becomes a false prophet" (Your Father Loves You, page for September 19).

These false teachers are having a field day with our generation. We are easy pray. The day is ripe with a professing church that is biblically illiterate, lacking discernment, entertainment orientated and doctrine despising. Listen to that chilling prophecy from 2 Timothy 4: "I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom: preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires, and will turn away their ears from the truth and will turn aside to myths" (2 Tim. 4:1-4).

Lastly, we can spot false teachers by their companions. The false teachers may be a bit deceptive, but one look at their followers reveals an awful lot about them! Are their followers bringing peace to the local church? Are they kind and gentle and loving? Are they looking to the Bible and not a person for their answers? Are they serving the Lord with zeal and passion? Are they adorning the gospel of Jesus Christ? Like Paul said, their teaching spreads like gangrene (2 Ti. 2:7). Jesus said the student is like his teacher (Lk. 6:40). In many ways, a teacher is judged by the product of his labor.

It is not easy to spot a false teacher, just like it is not easy to spot counterfeit money. But Jesus made it clear that His followers will be able to identify the counterfeit. He said, "You will know them by their fruits" (Mt. 7:16, 20).

First John 4:1, "Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world." If we all took this truth more seriously, the church would be relieved from the theological and moral confusion it is presently experiencing, and individual lives and entire churches would experience more peace.