If the first century church had problems with false teachers, then it follows that the twenty-first century church will have the problem of false teachers also.

Jesus warned His followers about being misled by good sounding teachings which were not in line with God”™s words.

How can anyone know, really know, if what they are being taught is wrong according to what God actually says?

Jesus gave us the key:

(NASB) Matthew 7:16 “You will know them by their fruits. Grapes are not gathered from thorn bushes nor figs from thistles, are they?”

False prophets do not produce grapes or figs, the good things that come from teaching the truths of Christ.

False prophets can be discerned by what they produce from their teachings”¦thorns and thistles.

We are to use discernment when we are being taught God”™s ways and words. We need to be alert to what is being taught, looking beyond the trappings of high sounding words and a good delivery.

Jesus was talking about false teachers and false prophets”¦who are really vicious wolves in disguise as His followers.

(NIV) 1 Timothy 1:3-7 “As I urged you”¦stay there in Ephesus so that you may command certain men not to teach false doctrines any longer 4nor to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies. These promote controversies rather than God”™s work ““ which is by faith. 5The goal of this command is love, which comes from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith. 6Some have wandered away from these and turned to meaningless talk. 7They want to be teachers of the law, but they do not know what they are talking about or what they so confidently affirm.”

Discern thorns and thistles

from the good fruit of God”™s true word.