There are people who look spiritual for all the wrong reasons. Jesus singles them out in Matthew 7:15-23.

Why would they be that way? Because there are people who are trusting spiritual people for all the wrong reasons. That’s why Jesus is doing these warnings near the end of his lesson.

What are the warnings?

1. There are people who are looking like good people because they are bad people. My guess is that they are very good at the externals. Their credentials are perfect. The costume fits well. They are better at being sheep than most sheep.

2. Don’t look at what they say, Jesus says, look at the results of what they say. Shifting metaphors, he suggests that any tree can glue the right kind of leaves on, but only apple trees can naturally grow apples. He will take this image further in John 15 where he talks about us being branches attached to his vine. The fruit will be Jesus’ fruit.

I struggle with this requirement. I wonder, often, whether I invite people to say, “good thought” or “that hurts” instead of helping them change from the inside. I know that both happen, but I want always to be aware of helping people take the next step, to think about the next lesson, to ask Jesus the next question.

It’s interesting how concerned Jesus is with actions, with behavior, with obedience. Here he says,

“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.”

And he will reinforce this message at the end of this book. “Teach them to obey eveything I have commanded.”

Look at what follows behind teachers and preachers and each other.  Are there baskets of fruit or sheep carcasses?