“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but underneath are ravenous wolves. By their fruits you will know them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles?” Matthew 7:15-16

The obvious answer to this question of Jesus is “No, people do not pick grapes from thornbushes.” In other words, an evil person cannot bear good fruit.

This statement from our Lord can give us much guidance in the area of discernment. First of all, it’s important to be aware of the very simple fact that “false prophets” do exist. This can be understood as anyone who actively misleads another under the guise of doing good. Some may do this unknowingly, but normally the one who acts as a wolf in sheep’s clothing does so out of the intention of some form of selfish gain. The selfish gain by which they are motivated could be many things, but the basic principle of selfishness usually applies.

By way of a secular example, take a used car salesman who deceptively tells a potential car buyer that a particular car is wonderful, when the salesman actually knows the car has serious mechanical problems. His goal is the sale of the car for a selfish profit with little care about the harm done to the unexpectant buyer.

Similarly, many of us may be tempted to “sweet talk” people or say what we think others want to hear in order to get them to do what we want. This is deceptive and misleading.

When it comes to discernment, the key Jesus gives us is to look at the fruit of what someone says or does. Inevitably, when something comes from the Heart of our Lord and is in accord with His will, the fruit will be good. But when it is deceptive or misleading, cloaked in superficial “goodness,” the end result, the fruit that is born, is at most only sour grapes.

Reflect, today, upon anything in your life you are striving to decide or discern. If you truly want to know the Lord’s will in your daily decisions, try to look beyond the immediate choice to the effects that this choice will have down the road. If you sincerely see goodness as a result of certain choices, know that this is a good sign that it is good and from the Lord. If you see negative effects of certain decisions, producing bad fruit, then it is a good sign that the decision you are contemplating is not from God. Choose the good fruit and you will be choosing the will of God.

Lord of true fruitfulness, give me the grace of discerning Your holy will in my life. Help me, especially, to see the good fruit that comes as a result of following You always. As You bear good fruit in my life, dear Lord, help me to continue down that holy path toward an abundance of every good gift. Jesus, I trust in You.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CL76xljQaPk

Catholics are idolatrous by praying to Mary and other dead saints. The also genuflect to graven images of Jesus and Mary.

I wonder why they recite in Latin? Was Jesus a Latino? Where does the creed come from? The hail Mary? Why do you need a baptismal certificate and card?

All those stations of the cross are idolatrous rituals!

MyCatholicLife:

“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but underneath are ravenous wolves. By their fruits you will know them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles?” Matthew 7:15-16

The obvious answer to this question of Jesus is “No, people do not pick grapes from thornbushes.” In other words, an evil person cannot bear good fruit.

Jesus is not talking about individuals here Sir rather he's talking about different religions.

Jesus explained that a tree symbolises religion initiated by someone just as he himself was a tree planted by his father {John 15:1-2} and his disciples are the branches {John 15:6} so each religion is the initiative of a certain spirit (God) and those taking the lead in each religion are the branches of the tree.

The FRUIT of each tree is the result of their teachings in the gathering of the worshipers practicing what is being taught in each religion.

So Jesus' question here means whenever you discover an organization or group of people practicing what everyone knows is good then you don't need to doubt that those taking the lead in such a religion are God's spokesmen!

MaxInDHouse:


Jesus is not talking about individuals here Sir rather he's talking about different religions.

Jesus explained that a tree symbolises religion initiated by someone just as he himself was a tree planted by his father {John 15:1-2} and his disciples are the branches {John 15:6} so each religion is the initiative of a certain spirit (God) and those taking the lead in each religion are the branches of the tree.

The FRUIT of each tree is the result of their teachings in the gathering of the worshipers practicing what is being taught in each religion.

So Jesus' question here means whenever you discover an organization or group of people practicing what everyone knows is good then you don't need to doubt that those taking the lead in such a religion are God's spokesmen!

the entire context on Matthew 7 refers to individual not just different religions.... that entire chapter is admonition to people not just religions. As much as you may like to apply it to groups and organisations, please to obsure the contextual meaning

Ubenedictus:
the entire context on Matthew 7 refers to individual not just different religions.... that entire chapter is admonition to people not just religions. As much as you may like to apply it to groups and organisations, please to obsure the contextual meaning

The two roads that one leads to life with just a lane against another that has many lanes is about individuals shey? Matt 7:13-14

The tree producing FRUIT that could be RECOGNIZED globally is about an individual shey? Matt 7:16-18

Those saying they worked for Jesus but he denied them are individuals shey? Matthew 7:21-23

Ọmọ stoo deceiving yourself!

The cramped road where you can't switch lanes means the one and only organization of Jesus Christ where you must submit to what is being taught so once you leave you're on the broad road (Christendom churches claiming denominations) where every lane is OK to deceitful people!


The one and only tree that it's FRUIT could be RECOGNIZED globally means Jesus' group unlike Christendom churches where different sects are claiming Christians. The deception is that you people are thinking that nice people in false religions will gain what God promised true Christians but that's a lie no matter how nice you're false religion will disqualified you. John 3:1-8
But no matter how bad you may be, with pure worship you still have a hope! Luke 23:41-43

If you're practicing FALSE RELIGION demons will perform signs through you as if you're with Jesus but you yourself will know that you're not submissive to any form of restraint binding on you with fellow believers. So Jesus will deny you because to him you are LAWLESS! Matthew 7:21-23

MaxInDHouse:

The two roads that one leads to life with just a lane against another that has many lanes is about individuals shey? Matt 7:13-14

The story of the good Samaritan answers you. Luke 10:25-37

MaxInDHouse:

The tree producing FRUIT that could be RECOGNIZED globally is about an individual shey? Matt 7:16-18

Do not say "I am a dry tree" answers you!. Isaiah 56:3

Dtruthspeaker:

The story of the good Samaritan answers you. Luke 10:25-37

I hates insults that's why i don't engage you but if you're ready to learn i will TEACH you.

The good Samaritan was never a story but illustration Jesus used to TEACH the proud Jews who thought only a Jew is their neighbour but Jesus made them realize that anyone can prove to be a neighbour even when such a person is not a worshiper of the true God.
Jesus has already proved that Samaritans aren't worshiping the same God with the Jews! John 4:22

Do not say "I am a dry tree" answers you!. Isaiah 56:3

The tree Jesus is talking about here will produce a kind of FRUIT that will be IDENTIFIED worldwide, sorry an individual can never do that but a global family of peace loving worshipers will!

MaxInDHouse:


The two roads that one leads to life with just a lane against another that has many lanes is about individuals shey? Matt 7:13-14

The tree producing FRUIT that could be RECOGNIZED globally is about an individual shey? Matt 7:16-18

Those saying they worked for Jesus but he denied them are individuals shey? Matthew 7:21-23

Ọmọ stoo deceiving yourself!

As I told you the entire chapter are admonitions to people

15 “Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. 16 By their fruit you will recognize them.

these are the few first verses of that chapter, he

7 “Do not judge, or you too will be judged. 2 For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.

3 “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? 4 How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? 5 You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.

6 “Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces.

they are admonitions to people! and nothing there mentions religious organisations please stop doing violence to scripture just to claim so dominance for your group

The cramped road where you can't switch lanes means the one and only organization of Jesus Christ where you must submit to what is being taught so once you leave you're on the broad road (Christendom churches claiming denominations) where every lane is OK to deceitful people!


The one and only tree that it's FRUIT could be RECOGNIZED globally means Jesus' group unlike Christendom churches where different sects are claiming Christians. The deception is that you people are thinking that nice people in false religions will gain what God promised true Christians but that's a lie no matter how nice you're false religion will disqualified you. John 3:1-8
But no matter how bad you may be, with pure worship you still have a hope! Luke 23:41-43

If you're practicing FALSE RELIGION demons will perform signs through you as if you're with Jesus but you yourself will know that you're not submissive to any form of restraint binding on you with fellow believers. So Jesus will deny you because to him you are LAWLESS! Matthew 7:21-23

Ubenedictus:

As I told you the entire chapter are admonitions to people
15 “Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. 16 By their fruit you will recognize them.
these are the few first verses of that chapter, he
7 “Do not judge, or you too will be judged. 2 For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.
3 “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? 4 How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? 5 You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.
6 “Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces.
they are admonitions to people! and nothing there mentions religious organisations please stop doing violence to scripture just to claim so dominance for your group

In each of those verses he is talking to his group as a whole not any individual:

Verse one-five is telling his group not to be judgmental AMONG themselves because they are all imperfect so they should look for ways to assist one another when the need arises not thinking of how to judge one another.
Verse six is about worldly politicians who don't have any interest in God's Kingdom, the people are like wild beasts {Revelations 17:12} false religions will have illicit affairs with politicians and in the end the politicians will tear down false religious organizations {Revelations 17:16} that's why Jesus warned his own organization not to have such dealings with worldly politicians because we are not on the same page with them! John 17:14; 18:36

It's OK if you disagree at least both of us agree that God's word is the ultimate even though we have different interpretation.
So continue worshiping your God while we also worship ours!