July 19, 2026
Have you ever encountered the phrase, “Those who point out the problem often become the problem”? In essence, the troublemaker is often not the person who caused the issue but the one who dares to say, “There’s a problem here.”
That’s just how things go in a respectful community. For instance, if there’s a big pothole on the road near your home and you reach out to the council to fix it, it’s seen as “complaining.” If a restaurant’s food makes your family unwell and you let them know, it’s called “stirring the pot.” And within the church, if you mention that you feel the preacher’s teachings don’t align with God’s Word, you’re sometimes labelled as “being divisive.” This shows how society often labels honest concerns in ways that can feel dismissive, but, truly, speaking up with care is important and valued.
In many cultures, especially those soaked in excessive politeness, the true wrongdoing isn’t in the issues like potholes, spoiled food, or false teachings. Instead, it’s in bringing attention to these problems. Essentially, the person who highlights the problem is seen as the one creating the issue.
In Matthew 7, Jesus Himself shatters this worldly logic when He tells us plainly, “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will recognise them by their fruits” (7:15-16).
Notice that Jesus did not say, “Ignore the false prophets so that everyone can get along in the church,” or “It’s unkind and unloving to point out bad fruit.” No, He says that we shall recognise – that we shall know false prophets by their fruit. In other words, to know a false prophet is to find out, understand, and perceive who they are. In other words, to name the bad fruit of a false prophet is not to create a false prophet—it is simply to identify what already exists.
False prophets aren’t limited to the Old Testament, like Hannaniah, whom we heard about a couple of Sundays ago (Jer. 28). They aren’t only in cults; they exist today in churches worldwide. They preach from pulpits, write books, record podcasts, and teach at conferences and seminaries. They wear sheep’s clothing, appear like faithful shepherds, talk like Christians, smile, and shake hands. But beneath, they are wolves with sharp teeth.
Many Christians prefer not to know this because it disturbs comfort. Knowing there’s a wolf among the sheep makes relaxing impossible, so they prefer ignorance to avoid discomfort and divisiveness. However, ease and ignorance are not fruits of the Spirit; they invite ruin.
This is why it is so tragic when a faithful Christian who warns about a false prophet is accused of causing division. But division does not begin when someone names the wolf. Division begins when the wolf enters the fold. Listen to the Apostle Paul, who says, “Watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them” (Rom. 16:17).
Notice: Paul does not say, “Watch out for those who notice divisions.” He says, “Watch out for those who cause division.”
False prophets sow division from God’s Word. Warning about them defends the church, not divides it. Scolding a watchman for alerting about false theology only empowers the wolf to harm more sheep.
All of this begs a question – if we are to beware of false prophets and know them by their fruit, we must ask: “What is this bad fruit that Jesus tells us to look for? What exactly are we to recognise?”
Jesus emphasises that false prophets are judged by their teachings, not just outward morals. Many live respectable lives, but they misuse God’s truth by twisting it into lies, violating the Second Commandment. Bad doctrine inevitably leads to poor practice.
Do not let this point escape you. Bad doctrine inevitably leads to poor practice. And bad practices, if left unchallenged, will shape entire generations. The yeast of error from a false prophet, even in small amounts, works its way through the whole lump. So what is sown in error now by false prophets, our children and grandchildren will need to clean up tomorrow.
Make no mistake, the words of false prophets often sound sweet to the ear at first. It comes polished and pleasant, wrapped in humour, kindness, or stories that tug at the heart. But beneath the sugar is poison.
Perhaps you’re thinking right now, “But we consider ourselves a confessional Lutheran church. We have a way to review doctrinal issues. We have a faithful and well-trained pastor. Surely, we’re safe.”
Do not be deceived; false prophets ignore constitutions and doctrinal review boards. They can arise from pulpits, graduate from seminaries, sit in pews, and teach Sunday School. While safety is with Christ, it’s like a fortress under siege. The devil never sleeps, and the world’s relentless ideologies and circling wolves aim to devour the faithful with false doctrines.
This is why we can never be a church of ease. If the AELC becomes a church at ease, we shall not survive fifty years. A lazy, sleeping church will be easy prey for false prophets; it will not last. We must be sober-minded, alert, discerning, and awake.
With all of this in mind, let’s get practical: How do we know the false prophets by their fruit? You can ask three straightforward questions when you hear any religious teaching.
1. Is Christ even mentioned at all? 2. If Christ is mentioned, is He the leading actor – the centre of the theology that is being taught? 3. If Christ is the centre of the theology, what is He doing? Is He bleeding, dying, and rising for the forgiveness of your sins and the resurrection of your flesh?
If the answer is “no” to any of these, beware—chances are that you are dealing with a false prophet. You see, false prophets will always coddle sin while teaching you to follow the desires of your heart. They will not point you outward to Christ’s words of Law and Gospel or Christ’s gifts because Christ is not the centre of their theology – they are. The rotten fruit of false prophets is Christless. It is man-centred. It does not focus on the power of Christ over sin and death but instead peddles their empty pious thoughts.
We do not guard the Word of God to win petty arguments or to prove ourselves smarter than others. This isn’t about ego or being right. Instead, we guard it because it is true, good, and beautiful. False prophets will come along and try to take this from us. They won’t announce their intent but will say, “Let me help you find a deeper meaning,” or “Make the church more relevant,” or “Reach more people if we adjust this teaching.” When this happens and bad fruit or wolves are identified, we don’t criticise but say, “God be praised.” When bad fruit is judged and alarms are sounded, it’s not divisiveness but Christian love in obedience to Christ.
Abide in the truth you have received; hold fast to sound doctrine that has been given to you, so that, though the wolves may circle and the world rage, you may remain steadfast as Christ’s Church.