Matthew Chapter 7: A Tree and Its Fruit

Bible Answer Man Podcast with Hank Hanegraaff

On today’s Bible Answer Man broadcast (06/10/21), Hank continues teaching through chapter 7 of the Gospel of Matthew. Hank picks up where Jesus warns his audience to be watchful of false prophets, who “come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves” (Matthew 7:15 NIV). Jesus uses the illustration of a tree and its fruit to show how to identify them, saying in verses 16 and 17, “Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit.” Jesus’ message on false prophets is reminiscent of what the Lord God Almighty says in Jeremiah 23: “Indeed, I am against those who prophesy false dreams,” declares the Lord. “They tell them and lead my people astray with their reckless lies, yet I did not send or appoint them. They do not benefit these people in the least,” declares the Lord” (Jeremiah 23:32). We must think critically and be so grounded in the truth that when a counterfeit looms on the horizon, you will recognize it instantaneously. Without knowing the Word of God, you will not be able to discern the good fruit from the bad fruit—you will, like millions of others, be fooled by the skin of the truth stuffed with a great big lie.