As I noted in this previous post, the Word of God does not focus on the evaluation
of teachings or doctrine when identifying "wolves in sheep's
clothing." We should identify them primarily through their
works and their fruit:
Of the 210
verses that refer to false prophets, priests, elders and Pharisees,
here is a
summary of their content:
- 99 verses (47%) concern Behavior
- 66 verses (31%) concern Fruit
- 24 verses (12%) concern Motives
- 21 verses (10%) concern Doctrine
But there is another Martin who weighs in on the importance of the fruit of the Christian: the highly esteemed Dr. Walter Martin. I'm so grateful that Spiritwatch Ministries preserves this lecture that elucidates more information on this topic in an examination of Matthew Chapter 24.
He agrees with Dr. Paul Martin's perspective on
the subject of fruit which helps us to identify a false teacher.
From the 1979 lecture at Lee College
Chapel; The Rise of the Cults by Walter
Martin:
- Be careful, there are two kinds of fruit:
There is the fruit of the life livedandthe fruit of the doctrine taught.The Pharisees taught purity of doctrine, but Jesus said that they were whitewashed sepluchres.
If you have pure doctrine and a corrupt life, you are condemned for it.
If you have a pure life and a corrupt doctrine, you are condemned for it.
- Because salvation does not come from the efforts of purity but by the gift of God...
- But according to Christ, it is possible to look, act and sound like a believer and not be one.”
- 4 things that they do (deceiving even the elect):
- They can say “Lord,” but they don’t mean “Savior.”
- They can say that they speak for God and are prophesying in His Name.
- They can even use the Name of Jesus to cast out demons.
- They can use the Name of Jesus to work miracles.
- And their sin is, having used the Name of Christ for their own purposes, they themselves have not believed.
