In Matthew 7:15-16 (NET) Jesus taught: 15 “Watch out for false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are voracious wolves. 16 You will recognize them by their fruit. Grapes are not gathered from thorns or figs from thistles, are they?”
Everyone of us has at our immediate disposal a way whereby we can judge our beliefs. We can instantly know if we are believing truth or lies.
The key is found in the words, “you will recognize them by their fruit.” I suggest these words can be applied to more than just identifying false prophets. We are being given a tool for exposing falsehood in our own beliefs as well.
Test #1 — If we are not normally peaceful and joyful within we are believing a lie.
Jesus also said, “the truth will set you free.”
Test #2 — If we can’t stop doing something we know is wrong, that too is the fruit of believing a lie.
Jesus asked, “Grapes are not gathered from thorns or figs from thistles, are they?”
Asking God for peace, joy, or freedom, without being ready to have him expose and help us uproot the lies we’re believing is on par with believing a thorn bush could produce grapes or a thistle figs.
Hence, our prayer actually needs to be based on the following attitudes:
“This is the one I will esteem: he who is humble and contrite in spirit, who trembles at My word.” Isaiah 66:2 (BSB)
“The sacrifice pleasing to God is a broken spirit. You will not despise a broken and humbled heart, God.” Psalms 51:17 (CSB)
“Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my concerns. See if there is any offensive way in me; lead me in the everlasting way.” Psalms 139:23-24 (CSB)
“Make your ways known to me, LORD, and teach me your paths. Lead me in your truth and teach me because you are God, my savior. I wait all day long for you.” Psalms 25:4-5 (GW)
I offer this sample prayer: “Lord, I am not routinely peaceful, joyful, or free to shun temptation and walk in the light. Please show me what’s wrong in my thinking — the lies I’m believing. What are they? Expose them to me at any cost, come what may.”
