Matthew 7:15-20 Interpretation.

True Counterphobia said:

None of your business.

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Bless you anyway.....

Agallagher said:

@timothyu I believe we all give account to God alone on our death day. It's better that way, God respects privacy assuredly.

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Something to consider is The Word pertaining to judgment. The judgement must first begin at the house of God. Born again Christians are the house of God. The enemy is judged already.

1Pet.4

1. 
   [17] For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?

John.16

1. [11] Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged.

True Counterphobia said:

What exactly was the point of you asking those questions? They had NOTHING to do with what I said.

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They were examples I ran into of “Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.” Matthew 7:15–20 (KJV 1900)

I forgot to mention the preacher who killed over 100 people with false doctrine in the Word of Faith movement. That's why I asked about your experience.

Aussie Pete said:

Fruit is what people do according to the inner attitude of their hearts. An individual may have an encyclopaedic knowledge of the Bible, be an expert in Greek and Hebrew, be completely correct in doctrine and yet be hard hearted and unloving. I've met a few like that. The potential trap for those who value doctrine too highly is spiritual pride. Lord Jesus came that we might have new life, not the best doctrines.

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It's not an either-or; it's both-and. Without good biblical beliefs, we may be worshiping the wrong god like the cults. Without the new life that God's gift of the new birth gives us, we only have head-knowledges that won't do us any good.

True Counterphobia said:

"You will know them by their fruits."

I think a lot of people think this means they will have the Fruit of the Spirit, but I have also heard that the Fruit is Good Doctrine as well.

Looking for your interpretations of these verses.

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Reasonably good doctrine should accompany a believer but it may or may not be a fruit -and who's to judge between good and poor doctrine anyway? The obvious fruits stem from love: doing the works prepared in advance (Eph 2:10), doing "for the least of these" (Matt 25), teaching the love of God and His word to a lost and hopeless and dying world, contributing time and resources to those in need, overcoming sin, obedience in general.

The Way was the earliest example.

True Counterphobia said:

"You will know them by their fruits."

I think a lot of people think this means they will have the Fruit of the Spirit, but I have also heard that the Fruit is Good Doctrine as well.

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Personally I believe it refers to the fruit of the Spirit.

I don't believe that it refers to good deeds, because atheists can do those. Humanists can found charities, help the poor and homeless etc without even believing in God, just driven by a strong belief that it is good to help a fellow human being. Hindus may do good works believing that they'll have a better incarnation after they die. And some Muslim fanatics believe that anyone who doesn't believe in Allah is a wicked infidel, and it is good when such people get killed.

But it could well refer to good doctrine too, because Jesus says "watch out for false prophets". Elsewhere in the NT we are told to 'test the spirits', and Christians judge whether or not someone is teaching correctly by whether or not it lines up with Scripture.

1213 said:

In the case of Matthew 7:15-20 it is about false prophets who can be known by their fruits. I don’t think there is need for any interpretation for that.

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Bu how do you know if what someone is teaching is false?
A cult member can do good works but have totally incorrect doctrine; ditto atheists who don't even believe in God. A prophet could appear to be a good, moral person yet still give "words" that are not from God.

Is there not a gift of discernment we should be operating in as well ??

Does not the scripture say that for some their sin follows and for some their sin comes before...

So if their sin is concealed - the gift of discernment needs to be operating among us to protect the sheep from wolves.

True Counterphobia said:

"You will know them by their fruits."

I think a lot of people think this means they will have the Fruit of the Spirit, but I have also heard that the Fruit is Good Doctrine as well.

Looking for your interpretations of these verses.

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Good doctrine is the foundation. Good fruit is the result of that solid foundation of truth. Be blessed.

True Counterphobia said:

I think a lot of people think this means they will have the Fruit of the Spirit, but I have also heard that the Fruit is Good Doctrine as well.

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Sound doctrine is essential, which would include the comprehension that sound doctrine does not
produce the fruit of the Spirit. Abiding in the Holy Spirit is The Way. This is what Paul means when
he says that we are justified by faith, not by Law.
Galatians 5:
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.
24 And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.
26 Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.

Becoming an expert on doctrine can be the very thing that leads someone to become
prideful and conceited.
If we truly abide in the Spirit, we will be led through experiences that "crucify the flesh with its
passions and desires". This must occur to receive from the Holy Spirit.

2 Corinthians 1:
5 For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also abounds through Christ.
6 Now if we are afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effective for enduring
the same sufferings which we also suffer. Or if we are comforted, for your consolation and salvation.
7 And our hope for you is steadfast, because we know that as you are partakers of the sufferings,
so also you will partake of the consolation.

The fruit of the Spirit is what we sow back into the lives of others, especially the Body of Christ.
James 3:18 Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.

If we are to enter into rest, we must cross the brook Kidron, even as David's men captured
Mount Zion by way of the sewer.

Strong in Him said:

Bu how do you know if what someone is teaching is false?...

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It depends on the matter, but generally I think good way to know is, does it fit to what is said in the Bible. If it is not in contradiction with the Bible, then it may be true.

Carl Emerson said:

So if their sin is concealed - the gift of discernment needs to be operating among us to protect the sheep from wolves.

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Like a politician which promises what is best for the people but usually has a hidden agenda?

True Counterphobia said:

"You will know them by their fruits."

I think a lot of people think this means they will have the Fruit of the Spirit, but I have also heard that the Fruit is Good Doctrine as well.

Looking for your interpretations of these verses.

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I think it is both ... the actions of those who "have a love of the Truth" and the One who "is the Way the Truth and the life" John 14 - will result in their acceptance of good doctrine and rejection of bad doctrine. It does not mean they have all knowledge or that they believe nothing untrue. But rather over time they will expel more and more error from their beliefs and accept more and more truth.

Dave L said: ↑
How long have you been a believer? How many different churches have you attended?

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True Counterphobia said:

None of your business.

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For some people - when they hear a doctrinal statement they do not ask "is it true?" - they ask "who said it? who else endorses it?"

Dave L said:

The issue for me isn't so much spotting the false teachers as it is finding one that isn't.

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Sola scriptura testing of all doctrine and practice.

Christ was not popular... but He was right and His teaching was inline with scripture.

Someone could ask Him "who else endorses your doctrine?" and He could say "Moses". But then all the false teachers among the Jews would claim the same thing. The difference is that Christ actually did have the endorsement of Moses as Matthew 17 points out.

1213 said:

It depends on the matter, but generally I think good way to know is, does it fit to what is said in the Bible. If it is not in contradiction with the Bible, then it may be true.

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Exactly.
Which is why I said that having good doctrine may also be important.
But Jesus said that others would know that we are his disciples if we love.

Strong in Him said:

Which is why I said that having good doctrine may also be important.

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Why does man always think we have to add to or interpret the word of God? That is saying His will is not good enough, we have to tell it our way. For instance, God simply says don't put man's will ahead of His... and we get a religion and all it's doctrines to either explain that or circumvent it.