Dec 17 - Matthew 7:16-20

Jesus said,

You will know [false teachers/

wolves in sheep's clothing] by their fruits.

Are grapes gathered from thorns,

or figs from thistles? In the same way,

every good tree bears good fruit,

but the bad tree bears bad fruit.

A good tree cannot bear bad fruit,

nor can a bad tree bear good fruit.

Every tree that does not bear good fruit

is cut down and thrown into the fire.

Thus you will know them by their fruits.

Matthew 7:16-20

Yesterday, we talked about the best way to deceive and be deceived. It comes not from outrageous lies. It comes rather from subtle deceit. It involves taking a trusting person on a gentle journey -- away from home, through bankruptcy, straight to the gates of hell.

As any good con man knows, you must gain the mark's confidence. The insecure are easy to manipulate. So are the proud. They think they're wise, and all you have to do is flatter their egos to string them along.

How can we arms ourselves and keep from being manipulated (and eaten by wolves)?

·       Quit being insecure! Insecurity is believing a voice in your head that whispers (and sometimes screams) that you're not worth (and/or that you can't be forgiven). Stop it! Tune out those voices. Focus, instead, upon the cross! Jesus died for you because you are worthy! Don't call him a liar! Call those stupid voices whispering "unworthy" the liars! You are worthy. And the cross has won your forgiveness. Believe it!

·       Similarly, quit being proud! Pride pretends that you know the best way ... and others, including God, scripture, and Christian tradition don't. Pride doesn't listen to anyone or anything ... except false flatterers who say, "You're so smart. The only authority you need is yourself. Do it your way."

·       Finally, learn to recognize truth-tellers versus sheepskin wolves. We live in a culture of lies that say "have it your way" and happiness are the ultimate goals. And what has proven for the poison fruit of fifty years of self-oriented culture in America? Divorce, abortion, fatherless kids, alcoholism, drug use, depression, suicide, and despair. All of these things are on the rise. They’re epidemic. "Have it your way" and happiness may sound like they lift us up, but inevitably, they “cut [us] down” to size … and leave others, like our kids, as collateral damage. (And what’s the other fruit that the pursuit of self-actualization offers? Read Jesus’ words about “fire”!)

So who are the truth-tellers? Those who proclaim scripture.

And honestly they're hard to find in America. Following a good shepherd who cared for the poor and had nowhere to lay his own head is hard to do in this land of (relative) plenty. It's easier to see God's power in places of poverty. And in Africa and Asia, that's where the true church is thriving! When you're poor, your pride is already defeated. But the Gospel nevertheless empowers; it absolutely defeats insecurity … because that's what the Gospel is all about! It proclaims God's love and your worth in a world that otherwise seeks to step on you! And when people accept this gift, there is profound power!

As a result, we don't buy, then, into the lies that we can manufacture hope on our own. Our hope can (and must) come from our creator, our redeemer, and our sustainer! And when we taste that, that's the only fruit that satisfies.

In Christ's Love,

a guy who's tired of chewing

on cactus (and thorns);

I want fresh fruit!