Watch for Deceivers-The Sermon on the Mount

By Mary Vee
Matthew 7

From Matthew's Journal 

Photo by Mary Vee. View down to the Sea of Galilee from
the Mountain where it is believed Jesus was at this time.
Capernaum is down and to the left by the shore.

My name is Matthew. I am a disciple of Jesus. I am here with other disciples, so one or more may add something to today's post. 

We are sitting on the side of a mountain bordering the Sea of Galilee, and there is a large number of people here with us, some have traveled a long ways to hear Jesus speak.

Jesus has been speaking most of the morning. You may know this talk as the Sermon on the Mount. The previous posts telling what he said already are below this one.  Just scroll down.

I am a witness and am here to tell you what Jesus said next on this day. A few moments ago, He spoke about judging others before seeing the problems we have. When He finished He returned to the subject of prayer.

Jesus said, "All you need to do is ask the Father. If you ask, it will be given to you. Search and you will find it. Knock and the door will be open to you. Everyone who asks will receive. Everyone who searches will find it. Everyone who knocks will find the door opened for them.

He looked at the crowd's faces. They seemed a bit confused. "Let me ask you this. If your son asked for bread, would you give him a stone?" He paused. "Of course you wouldn't. Or if he asked for some fish to eat, would you give him a snake? No, you would give him the best you had. All right then, if you, a sinful person, know how to give good gifts to your children, think of how much more you heavenly Father, who is perfect, gives good gifts to those who ask him! And so, in every circumstance, in everything you do, do for others what you want them to do for you. This alone sums up the Law and the Prophets.

"You have two choices. You may only pick one. One has a narrow doorway, the other one, wide. The wide doorway seems easier, and many will choose this way. But the road beyond will end with destruction. Few people will chose the narrow gate. The path is narrow and the road difficult, but it will end with life."

Jesus then gave a warning about which this choice:

"There will come those who will deceive you and steer you toward the wide path. Each day, watch for them. They put on the clothes of a knowledgeable person, they speak convincing words, but inwardly they are like a ferocious wolf. How will you know who these wolves are? By looking at the fruit of their work. 

"You wouldn't find tasty grapes on a thorn bush or juicy figs from thistles, right? People are like trees. Every good tree will bear only good fruit, and every bad tree will only bear ugly, bitter fruit. These rotten trees are cut down and used for firewood. Listen carefully when a prophet comes to you. Look for the fruit of his words if they are sweet or bitter. If his words are true what he says will come to pass.

"So watch. Not everyone who says, Lord, Lord is honest. Some are deceivers. These deceivers will not enter the kingdom of heaven. Only those who do the will of my Father who is in heaven will enter through this narrow way. The deceivers will say, 'But didn't we prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?' I will say plainly to them 'Go away, I never knew you'--because I know they are deceivers and liars."


And so Jesus continued, but those words will be told next time. 

Author's note, this section is from the Sermon on the Mount. Come back to read the next story.

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sources: 
*A Harmony of the Gospels for Historical Study, An Analytical Synopsis of the Four Gospels by William Arnold Stevens and Ernest DeWitt Burton, Charles Scribner's Sons, New York 1932
*New International Version, New King James Version. 
*My Bible College training.
*My notes and walk through classes I've taught in Children's church. Answers to student questions, etc.
*Pastoral sermons on this time
*Matthew Henry Commentary
*F. LaGard Smith Commentary
*My notes from my trip to Israel.
*Photos from my trip to Israel.