Watch Out For False Prophets In Sheep's Clothing - Need An Example?

Three times in the Gospel of Matthew Jesus warns us to keep watch for false prophets. He also addresses it in the Gospel's of Mark and Luke. In Matthew 7, Jesus says they will appear in sheep's clothing. Meaning they'll attempt to come across as something they are not...say for example a Baptist Church.

¹⁵ “Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. ¹⁶ By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? - Matthew 7:15-16

For years now the group that calls themselves Westboro Baptist Church has thrived on

turning people away from the message of salvation and the Body of Christ known as the church. They are the ones who show up at the funerals of fallen soldiers and slain children with a message of hate.

Unfortunately this is the view of the church that America is seeing today but it isn't in any way a picture of the Gospel or the church as defined by the Word of God. The Gospel is a message of hope not hate. Is God opposed to sin? Absolutely He is but there is no standard of degree when it comes to a sinful nature. Sin is sin in the eyes of God! That's why Jesus told us to consider the "plank" in our own eye before pointing out the "speck" in someone else's eye.

Note that Jesus said that they (wolves) would be known by their fruit. Compare the message of hate spread by the Westboro group to the message of love spread by Christian missionaries who live among people stricken with AIDS or in the slums of any major city ministering to the destitute, broken and social rejects. These people sacrifice their rights to travel to another country or their comforts to be among the indigent. Then there's the group from Kansas that preys on the families broken and mourning in order to use their tragedy of a lost loved one to spread hate. You tell me which of the two bear the fruit of Christ?

Take a quick look at what the Apostle Paul said to the church of Ephesus in regards to their behavior.

29 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. 30And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. 32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. - Ephesians 4:29-32

Yes, homosexuality is a sin. The Bible is clear on that point. However, hating homosexuals (Something that God DOESN'T do) isn't the answer and the Bible is clear on that as well. You know what else the Bible says is a sin? Unwholesome talk, bitterness, slander, lack of compassion and all forms of malice. I guess the folks at Westboro are more interested in the "specks" than the "planks." That my friends, is another mark of the deceiver. Be very careful in connecting this group with anything that is Godly or the Body of Christ. Because clearly they're not!