We are not able to read all the motives of a person’s heart (1 Corinthians 2:11). This relates to Jesus’ command, “Judge not, that you be not judged” (Matthew 7:1). Yet in that same chapter, Jesus also warns us to be on our guard and to discern the false from the true.
Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thorn bushes, or figs from thistles? So, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit (Matthew 7:15-17).
We may not look deep into the heart, but we can—and must—inspect the fruit. Since “false prophets” claim to speak for God, we must compare their words with the true teachings of Jesus and the Bible. Their prophetic messages and teachings are part of their “fruit.” Another part of their fruit is the result of their deceptions. Indeed, in Jesus’ warning, the outcome is the worst possible.
Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus you will recognize them by their fruits. Not everyone who says to Me, “Lord, Lord,” will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of My Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to Me, “Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and cast out demons in Your name, and do many mighty works in Your name?” And then will I declare to them, “I never knew you; depart from Me, you workers of lawlessness” (Matthew 7:19-23).
These “many” are led astray so far that they miss salvation altogether. They are “lawless” in the sense of not obeying God, even in the basics for entering Christ’s kingdom (Matthew 7:21). Though they use Jesus’ name, Jesus Himself has no relationship with them—“I never knew you” (Matthew 7:23). Think about the further implications of this startling passage. Jesus is describing people who think of themselves as miracle workers. If they are so completely fooled, how much more deluded are their followers? Surely there are many who admire their works in Jesus’ name. Surely there are many who believe their messages—“did we not prophesy in Your name?”—not realizing that such messages are false teachings? When the blind lead the blind, both fall into the ditch (Matthew 15:14).