False Prophets and the Narrow Way
On this, did Jesus give us some warnings in the Gospel of Matthew 7:15–20? Yep:
“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? In the same way, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit. A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Therefore by their fruits you will know them.”
The way is narrow and the gate is small. Jesus is the only way into the Father's holy heaven.
He said, "Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. 14 But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it." Matthew 7:13-14 niv
If we love Him, we will keep is commandments by His grace and power.
Christ’s words above are both compassionate, serious and urgent. He lovingly calls sinners to salvation, yet He also warns that there are deceivers who seek to lead souls away from the truth and onto the broad road that ends in destruction.
A. The Divine Invitation
At the close of the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus brought every listener to a place of decision. In Matthew 7:13–14 He declared:
“Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.”
The Lord Jesus does not merely offer information; He calls for repentance, faith, and surrender. Every person must choose between two roads: one leading to eternal life, and the other to judgment.
1. Christ’s Invitations in the New Testament
Throughout the New Testament, Christ continually invited sinners to come to Him.
In Matthew 4:17, Jesus proclaimed:
“Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”
Repentance means turning from sin and self-rule to God.
In Matthew 11:28 Jesus tenderly called sinners like me:
“Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”
In John 7:37 He cried out publicly:
“If any man thirst, let him come unto Me, and drink.”
Again and again Christ revealed Himself as the only Savior:
- “I am the bread of life” (John 6:35)
- “I am the good shepherd” (John 10:11)
- “I am the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6)
- “I am the resurrection and the life” (John 11:25)
The heart of Christ is full of mercy toward sinners, calling them to Himself for forgiveness and eternal life.
2. God’s Invitation in the Old Testament
The gracious invitation of God is also seen throughout the Old Testament.
In Book of Isaiah 1:18–19 the Lord says:
“Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow.”
God promises cleansing and forgiveness to those who humble themselves before Him.
Again, in Isaiah 55:1:
“Everyone who thirsts, come to the waters… come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.”
Salvation cannot be purchased by human merit, religious works, or self-righteousness. We come to God empty-handed, trusting completely in His grace and mercy.
The Bible closes with the same gracious invitation in Book of Revelation 22:17:
“The Spirit and the bride say, ‘Come.’”
From Genesis to Revelation, God calls sinners to repentance and salvation.
Yet Scripture also reveals that God’s patience will not continue forever. Those who reject His mercy will face His judgment. The same Lord who lovingly invites sinners also warns of eternal destruction for those who refuse His Son.
As Second Epistle of Peter 3:9 teaches, God is patient, “not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.”
Still, the broad road ends in judgment.
B. The Two Roads Before Humanity
Every person stands at a spiritual crossroads.
One road is narrow. It is entered through repentance and faith in Christ alone. It is difficult because it requires denial of self, submission to God, and obedience to truth. Yet it leads to eternal life.
The other road is broad. It is crowded, popular, and easy. It allows man to keep his pride, self-righteousness, and sin. Yet it leads to destruction.
Both roads may appear religious. Both may claim to lead to heaven. But only one is true.
The narrow way rests upon God’s accomplishment through Christ. The broad way rests upon human effort, self-made religion, and deception.
C. The Warning About False Prophets
One reason the narrow gate is difficult to find is because false teachers stand nearby, pointing people toward the broad road.
Jesus therefore warned:
“Beware of false prophets” (Matthew 7:15).
These deceivers disguise themselves as spiritual guides while secretly leading souls away from truth. Like wolves among sheep, they appear harmless outwardly but inwardly seek destruction.
Many people follow them.
Jesus warned in Matthew 7:22–23 that multitudes will one day say:
“Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name?”
Yet Christ will answer:
“I never knew you; depart from Me, you workers of lawlessness.”
Religious activity alone does not prove someone belongs to Christ. False prophets may preach, perform impressive works, and speak religious language while remaining strangers to saving grace.
I. The Warning Concerning False Prophets
A. False Prophets Throughout Scripture
The Bible repeatedly warns about false teachers.
1. In the Old Testament
In Book of Deuteronomy 13:1–5, God warned Israel that even if a prophet performed signs or wonders, he was to be rejected if he led people away from the true God.
Truth is not measured merely by miracles, charisma, or outward success. Doctrine must agree with the revealed Word of God.
“Speak unto us smooth things.”
The people actually said that to the prophets.
"Which say to the seers, See not; and to the prophets, Prophesy not unto us right things, speak unto us smooth things, prophesy deceits:" Isaiah 30:10
These words refer to flattering words, illusions, or messages that make people feel comfortable in their sins, rather than warnings about sin, repentance, or coming judgment. People today even have a preference for false comfort over inconvenient, straightforward truth, which ultimately leads to deception, rather than genuine peace.
Yes, it's sad. In every generation, foolish people have preferred comforting lies over convicting truth.
Jeremiah repeatedly exposed false prophets who spoke from their own imaginations instead of from God. They encouraged sinners in rebellion rather than calling them to repentance.
2. In the New Testament
Jesus warned:
“Many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many” (Matthew 24:11).
Paul warned in Epistle to the Romans 16:17–18 that false teachers deceive hearts through “smooth words and flattering speech.”
Peter warned of “false teachers” who would secretly introduce destructive heresies (2 Peter 2:1).
John instructed believers:
“Test the spirits to see whether they are from God” (1 John 4:1).
False teaching has existed throughout redemptive history and will continue until Christ returns.
B. The Nature of a True Prophet
A true prophet was marked by two things:
- A divine calling
- A divine message
God chose certain men to speak His truth faithfully.
Moses was called directly by God and instructed to speak God’s words (Exodus 3–4).
True prophets did not invent messages to please people. They faithfully proclaimed what God had revealed.
False prophets, however, spoke from their own hearts, promoted error, and misled the people.
C. The Danger of False Prophets
Jesus said:
“Beware.”
The word carries the idea of being constantly alert and on guard.
False prophets are spiritually dangerous because they corrupt truth, distort the gospel, and lead souls toward destruction.
Peter described them as:
- “destructive”
- “greedy”
- “deceivers”
- “slaves of corruption” (2 Peter 2)
Epistle of Jude likewise portrays them as dangerous, selfish, and spiritually corrupt.
D. Wolves in Sheep’s Clothing
Jesus said false prophets come “in sheep’s clothing.”
They disguise themselves as servants of God.
They may even speak a lot about:
- Jesus
- grace
- faith
- the Bible
- love
- blessing
Yet they avoid truths such as:
- repentance
- denying your old fleshly nature and what the world system demands
- holiness
- sin
- judgment
- dying to self, self-denial regarding your own way
- full surrender and obedience to the Lordship of Christ
They outwardly resemble shepherds while inwardly acting as wolves.
A wolf’s purpose is not to protect sheep, but to consume them.
E. Different Kinds of False Teachers
Scripture reveals several categories of false teachers.
1. Heretics
Some openly deny biblical truth and reject the authority of Scripture.
2. Apostates
Others once professed Christianity outwardly but later abandoned the faith altogether.
3. Deceivers
These are often the most dangerous.
They sound evangelical, use Christian vocabulary, quote Scripture selectively, and appear moral outwardly. Yet they subtly twist truth and distort the gospel.
Second Epistle to the Corinthians 11:14–15 warns that Satan disguises himself “as an angel of light,” and his servants likewise disguise themselves as ministers of righteousness.
Because of this, believers must exercise biblical discernment.
F. The Marks of False Prophets
1. Their Words
False teachers often emphasize comfort, success, self-esteem, and earthly happiness while avoiding difficult biblical truths.
They may speak much about blessings while saying little about repentance or holiness.
2. Their Lives
Some appear outwardly respectable and religious. Yet beneath the surface there is pride, greed, immorality, or self-exaltation.
Jesus said we are to examine their “fruit.” Fruit includes:
- doctrine
- character
- conduct
- motives
- influence
- obedience to Scripture
A corrupt tree cannot continually produce good fruit.
G. The Final Judgment of False Prophets
Matthew 7:22–23 gives one of the most sobering scenes in Scripture.
Many religious people will stand before Christ claiming spiritual works done in His name.
Yet Jesus will declare depart from me:
“I never knew you.”
Not “I knew you once,” but “I never knew you.”
Their ministry, miracles, religious language, and public reputation could not replace genuine salvation and obedience to God.
The Tragedy
False prophets will not perish alone.
Jesus said “many” follow them on the broad road.
The tragedy is multiplied because deception spreads destruction to others.
The Certainty of Judgment
God did not spare fallen angels, the world in Noah’s day, or Sodom and Gomorrah (2 Peter 2:4–6). Scripture therefore assures us that He will not ignore false teachers who corrupt truth and mislead souls.
Judgment upon false prophets is certain unless they truly repent and turn to Christ.
Final Exhortation
Jesus began this warning with one clear command:
“Beware.”
Believers must not be naïve or spiritually careless. We are commanded to test teaching by Scripture, examine fruit carefully, and remain steadfast in the truth of God’s Word.
Many today are easily deceived because they judge teachers by popularity, personality, eloquence, charisma, or outward success instead of biblical faithfulness.
But Christ said:
“By their fruits you shall know them.”
The true servant of God points people to Christ, repentance, holiness, sound doctrine, and obedience to Scripture. False prophets point people toward self, error, compromise, and destruction.
May we remain grounded in the Word of God, discerning in spirit, humble before the Lord, and faithful to “the faith once for all delivered unto the saints” (Jude 3).
Quite a few biblical prophets, apostles, and teachers either worked ordinary jobs for a time. They labored with their hands, or farmed crops, or shepherded animals, they served in government positions, or deliberately refused financial dependence on ministry income at times. Paul did that. In Scripture some figures are clearly identified with their work occupations, while others are not. But the pattern is unmistakable.
What prophecy is Matthew 2:23 referring to regarding Jesus being a Nazarene?
What is the Bible referring to when it mentions the law and the prophets?
According to God
What did Jesus mean when He said, “If you love me keep my commandments”?
God often called people to minister who already had ordinary work, and many continued on in their practical labor while serving Him wholeheartedly.
"Now because Jesus was doing these things on the Sabbath, the Jews began to persecute Him. But Jesus answered them, 'To this very day My Father is at His work, and I too am working.' Because of this, the Jews tried all the harder to kill Him. Not only was He breaking the Sabbath, but He was even calling God His own Father, making Himself equal with God. So Jesus replied, 'Truly, truly, I tell you, the Son can do nothing by Himself, unless He sees the Father doing it. For whatever the Father does, the Son also does.'" John 5:16-19 (What's that chapter about contextually?)
Works (John 5:1–21). The Father works and so does Jesus. Let's not become workaholics, but take time out to be with Him before we work. For us comes acceptable worship and then acceptable works. God in the garden “broke” His Sabbath rest to help two sinners (Gen. 3:8ff.), and Jesus followed His good example. In the world of nature, the Father is healing bodies, multiplying food, turning water into wine, and so forth; but He takes longer to do those things. Our Lord’s miracles are the Father’s works done instantly. Whether instantly or gradually, they are wonderful works of God.
Wrath (22, 24–30). Today, Jesus is the Savior; tomorrow, He will be the Judge (Rev. 20:11–15). Even death cannot keep lost sinners from the judgment, for He will raise them from the dead. There is no escape, except faith in Jesus Christ (5:24).
Worship (23). If you worship God the Father, you must also worship the Son; and if you dishonor the Son, you dishonor the Father. Those who claim to worship God but ignore the Son are not even worshiping God! They are only fooling themselves.
Witness (31–47). How can anyone deny that Jesus is the Son of God when so many witnesses affirm that He is: John the Baptist (vv. 31–35), the miracles (v. 36), the Father (v. 37; Mark 1:11), and the Scriptures (vv. 38–39)? But when people believe on Him, they have the witness within themselves (vv. 39–47; 1 John 5:9–13).
Know this. The Bible teaches two truths simultaneously:
- Those who preach and teach the Word, including the untainted gospel message, may rightly receive support.
- Some servants of God voluntarily worked secular jobs to avoid burdening others or to silence all the cruel accusations of greed.
Paul taught:
“The Lord commanded that those who proclaim the gospel should get their living by the gospel.” — 1 Corinthians 9:14
But Paul the tentmaker also said:
“You yourselves know that these hands ministered to my necessities.” — Acts 20:34
And:
“We worked night and day.. that we might not be a burden.” — 2 Thessalonians 3:8
True Prophets Work Hard and Wisely
Are There Teachers and Servants of God With Non-Ministry Kinda Work? Sure.
Old Testament
Moses — Shepherd
- Exodus 3:1
- Spent 40 years tending sheep before leading Israel.
Amos — Shepherd & Fig Farmer
- Amos 1:1
- Amos 7:14–15
“I was no prophet… but I was a herdsman and a dresser of sycamore figs.”
Amos is one of the clearest examples of a working prophet.
Elisha — Farmer
- 1 Kings 19:19
- Called while plowing with oxen.
David — Shepherd
- 1 Samuel 16:11
- Though later king, his early life involved labor and sheep tending.
Daniel — Government Administrator
- Daniel 6:1–3
- Served administratively in Babylon and Persia.
Nehemiah — Cupbearer to the King
- Nehemiah 1:11
Ezekiel — Priest
- Ezekiel 1:3
- Priestly service was vocational, not merely prophetic.
Samuel — Judge/Leader
- Functioned in civil leadership in addition to prophetic ministry.
New Testament
Paul the Apostle — Tentmaker
- Acts 18:3
This is the most famous example.
Paul often supported himself financially while preaching.
- Acts 20:33–35
- 1 Thessalonians 2:9
- 2 Thessalonians 3:7–10
- 1 Corinthians 9
Why Paul Did This The Way He Did
- To avoid accusations of greed
- To model diligence
- To avoid burdening poor churches
- To silence false teachers
- To preserve gospel integrity
Paul fiercely opposed ministers who commercialized ministry.
Aquila and Priscilla — Tentmakers
- Acts 18:2–3
- Ministry coworkers with Paul while working a trade.
Several Apostles — Fishermen
Peter
Andrew the Apostle
James the Great
John the Apostle
- Matthew 4:18–22
- Mark 1:16–20
They worked in commercial fishing before doing full-time ministry. Don't do another person's calling, do the ministry that God calls you to.
Matthew the Apostle — Tax Collector
- Matthew 9:9
Luke the Evangelist — Physician
- Colossians 4:14
Jesus Christ — Perhaps a Carpenter for a time (Do you actually see Him doing that in the Bible? His earthly dad did.)
- Mark 6:3
Before public ministry, please do go to work with your hands. We all need good character and to work hard. Do it as unto the Lord -- this profoundly dignifies ordinary secular labor.
Approximate Count
Depending on how strictly one defines all this:
- “prophet,”
- “teacher,”
- “apostle,”
- or a full-time minister while on the job site, even while “working secular occupation,”
It's true, all Christians are to be in touch with the Lord as they help others in all type of trades.. get rightly in touch with the Lord. We are to be full-time ministers for Jesus.
Now, there are at least 15–25 clearly identifiable servants of God connected with so called ordinary labor, trades, agriculture, fishing, administration, or government service.
The Bible repeatedly destroys the idea that spiritual authority must equal wealth, celebrity status, or professional religious status from titles.
What Did They Commonly Have in Common?
1. Godly Humility
God often called workers, shepherds, farmers, fishermen, craftsmen, and laborers.
“God has chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the wise.” — 1 Corinthians 1:27
2. Godly Integrity
They were not primarily motivated by profit.
Paul especially emphasized this.
“I coveted no one’s silver or gold.” — Acts 20:33
3. Godly Willingness to Sacrifice and Fulfill the Calling
Many endured poverty, persecution, and hardship.
- Hebrews 11:37–38
- 2 Corinthians 11:23–28
4. Faithfulness to the Lord in Ordinary Work
God often calls people while they are faithfully laboring.
- Moses tending sheep
- David shepherding
- Amos farming
- Peter fishing
- Elisha plowing
You Can Enjoy The Right Balance In The Lord! Be Fruitful And Faithful. Live Effectively And Not For Self
I'm of course, no prophet, bishop or apostle (I'm a simple ordinary servant like many are), but I've been paid before to go minister the Word to people here and abroad. I was sent and not went as a missionary pastor in Bavaria and in other locations.
The Bible does NOT condemn full-time paid ministry in and of itself. Most of my minister friends are sound teachers and preachers -- they are freed up by the Christians to do what they do best. What they are called and equipped to do for God's glory.
Faithful elders and teachers may rightly receive support.
“The laborer is worthy of his wages.” — 1 Timothy 5:18
“Let the elders who rule well be counted worthy of double honor.” — 1 Timothy 5:17
The danger comes when ministry becomes:
- merchandise,
- manipulation,
- celebrity culture,
- greed,
- luxury-seeking,
- or spiritual profiteering.
That is exactly what Scripture repeatedly condemns.
There Is Indeed A Contrast
What Did True Prophets Say?:
- “Repent.”
- “Obey God.” The Word and Holy Spirit (they agree).
- “Take up your cross.” Live for Jesus!
- “Fear the Lord.”
- “Christ must increase.” I must decrease.
What Did False Prophets Say?:
- “Peace, peace” when there was no peace.
- “Give, dig deep, use your credit card, and get rich.”
- “You will not surely die.” (when their sinning was leading to that)
- “What people want to hear.”
Hey, I'm not a calvinist, but here are some good truths for ya
“The minister who cares not for his flock is no shepherd.” — John Calvin
“A servant of God has but one Master.” — George Müller
“God’s work done in God’s way will never lack God’s supply.” — Hudson Taylor
“There is no substitute for holiness.” — Harry Ironside
You can know God in a personal way today--now is good, it's time to get right with the Lord, Sport!
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