Appearances deceive, so anyone judging by sight alone will be deceived. False prophets come in sheep's clothing, posing as gentle, caring, and righteous shepherds, just as Satan transforms himself into an angel of light. Pride hides behind outward devotion, as the Pharisees worshipped God publicly while rejecting His commandments. The fig tree Jesus withered, whose leaves promised fruit it lacked, represents the hypocrite, who appears to be something he is not. The Jewish religious leaders honored God with their lips, while their hearts were far from Him, and mainstream Christianity today is strong on show and weak on substance. The remedy is judging by fruit, testing doctrine and conduct against Scripture, since a tree cannot hide its fruit.

Playlist:

playlist Go to the Appearances, Deceptiveness of (topic) playlist

Filter by Categories

Beware of False Prophets

Sermon by Martin G. Collins

False prophets deceive through appearance. Jesus warns of those who come "in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves," so anyone who judges by sight alone will be deceived. They wear an image of honesty, virtue, and righteousness, speak the language of the church, and are gentle, caring, and persuasive, telling people what they want to hear. They may pose as believers, or even as shepherds and prophets, as the rough prophet's garment of Zechariah 13 and the long robes of the scribes in Luke 20 illustrate. Paul says Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light, so his ministers transform themselves into ministers of righteousness. They creep in unnoticed, even from within the church, and their true character shows only after damage is done. A wide, easy message of liberty seems pleasant and alluring, so people assume it must be true. Behind the façade is a hypocritical, self-righteous heart with no inward spiritual life, driven by pride, popularity, and greed. The remedy is to judge by fruit rather than appearance. A wolf can disguise itself, but a tree cannot hide its fruit, which declares what it is. Thorn bushes do not bear grapes, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. Fruit takes time to grow, but in time the moral or immoral results of a man's life and teaching expose him. His doctrine and conduct must be tested against Scripture, comparing the fruit of the Spirit with the works of the flesh. Those who sense confusion should close their minds to such teachers.

Seeing is Not Believing

Sermonette by Ryan McClure

We have the tendency when we see something to register it as truth imprinted on our minds. Jesus warned of deceptions that could confound our sense of sight.

Looks Fair, Feels Foul

Sermon/Bible Study by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

Be wary of things and people that appear attractive and fair on the outside, but are actually foul and destructive underneath. Evaluate the fruit.

Taking Care With the Tares

'Ready Answer' by Ted E. Bowling

The Parable of the Wheat and the Tares warns of false brethren within the fellowship. Jesus Christ exemplified how to interact with them in a godly manner.

More Righteous Than the Pharisees?

Sermon by John O. Reid

The Pharisees were in the office or seat of Moses. Jesus taught His followers to follow their words (pertaining to the Law of God), but not their personal examples.

Matthew (Part Twelve)

Sermon/Bible Study by John W. Ritenbaugh

To establish sound doctrine, we must build on the foundation Christ's teaching, taking the straight and narrow course rather than the wisdom of this world.

Matthew (Part Eleven)

Sermon/Bible Study by John W. Ritenbaugh

Life consists of a series of choices, often a dilemma of a pleasurable choice on one hand and a difficult choice (that produces more growth) on the other.

Deceiving the American Public

Commentary by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)

Although previously cohabiting and homosexuality were viewed with repulsion, political correctness has coerced society to look upon these as normal.

The Leavening of the Pharisees, Sadducees, and Herod

Sermonette by Ted E. Bowling

Jesus warned of three varieties of leaven that we must guard against, staying aware of the pitfalls that will pull us down and corrupt us.

Good to the Core

CGG Weekly by David F. Maas

Goodness does not reside on the outside but comes from deep within. We must concern ourselves with internal character more than outward personality.

Seeing Is Not Believing

'Ready Answer' by Ryan McClure

Our senses can be deceived through distraction and misdirection, which becomes especially critical when determining matters of spiritual importance.

Joshua and the Gibeonites (Part Three)

CGG Weekly by David C. Grabbe

We must be very careful about ascribing human behavior—and especially human sin—to God, concluding that it must be God's will, or it would be different.

Knowing God: Formality and Customs (Part Five)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

The notion that it does not matter what we wear if our heart is right on the inside is foolish. Our clothing ought to reflect our inward character.

Reconciliation and Unity

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

It is foolish and pointless to use the same charm, social skills, and duplicity toward God as we use to deceive others and, sadly, even ourselves.

Satan (Part 2)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

Satan uses disinformation, spread through false ministers/prophets, teaching smooth things that destroy. We must test the spirits to ensure a teaching is from God.

Smyrna: Faithful Until Death

'Prophecy Watch' by David C. Grabbe

The biblical city of Smyrna may be one that many know the least about. The city's name reveals the themes that the Head of the church wants us to understand.

Life in the Church

Sermon by David C. Grabbe

Outwardly, many members in Sardis bore Christ's name, but like the apparently religious Pharisees, they were in reality hypocrites, full of dead men's bones.