DAILY BIBLE DEVOTION

 

BY THEIR FRUITS

We need to be on the lookout for

those who would lead people away

from God by pretending that they

are leading them to God. We have

seen this happen several times in

very public and tragic ways, but it

can happen in less public ways as

well. The world was horrified when

they learned of the mass murder/

suicide of over 900 people, one

third of them minors in Guyana in

1978, and again of the destruction

of the compound in Waco, Texas

where over 70 people died. Both of

these tragedies occurred because

the leaders of the cult claimned to

either bea god or be God's

messenger or Messiah. There have

been many other cults operating

with less destructive results.

Preying on loners or immigrants,

the leaders promise security here

and eternal life if only you follow

them. They don't say that you are

following God, but you are

following them because they are

the only ones who know the way!

By their fruits you will know them.

These people ask blind obedience,

work to separate people from their

families and friends, and often

demand a certain percentage of

income. This doesn't sound like

Jesus to me. Paul never demanded

obedience to himself, in fact, he

said just the opposite to the

Corinthians. John the Baptist said

that he wasn't the one and pointed

to Jesus. We have been warned by

Jesus to look at those who claim to

be prophets carefully and judge by

their fruits. If they are more

interested in leading us to

themselves instead of to Jesus, we

must beware.

PRAYER

Lord, you do send prophets in

every age to help us know how to

live in that age. Help us to know

who is from you and who is not.

Guide us to your truth. Amen.