“Watch out for false prophets.”

That’s how Jesus starts out this week’s passage.

Check it out: Matthew 7:15-17.

Jesus goes on to talk about good fruit versus bad fruit, and how we can know people by their fruit. But this fruit discussion follows immediately after the false prophets statement.

I’ve heard people refer to the fruit in a lot of different circumstances. Most of them fit, sort of. At least they make logical sense. But very rarely do I ever hear this discussion with it referring to false teachers.

I wonder if we take this too far out of context sometimes.

But, now that I’ve noticed this distinction, I bet I don’t misuse Jesus’ idea here any longer.

And I bet I pay closer attention to the fruit I display, too.

What passages of Scripture have you heard taken out of context, however well-intentioned it might have been? Let me know in the comments.

Matthew 7 is full of passages that inspire me.

This weeks passage is no different. Take a look at it: Matthew 7:13-14.

Keep the main thing the main thing.

Go against the flow.

The road less traveled.

There are dozens of sayings that reflect this passage, that reflect the idea of taking care to follow God’s way instead of the world’s way

The world’s way is easy. God’s way is more difficult.

The world’s way is broad. God’s way is narrow.

The world’s way is popular. God’s way is not.

The world’s way leads to hell. God’s way leads to life.

Which way are you headed? Let me know in the comments.

I love this week’s passage! As a father of five, this serves as a powerful reminder that as much as I desire to give my kids good things, God desires so much more for me.

I love that thought!

Take a look at this week’s passage. It’s a bit bigger than normal, but we can handle it: Matthew 7:9-12.

I have to admit, though, it kind of bothers me that Jesus refers to me as “evil”. I’d much prefer to sanitize it and say something like “needy” or “stumbling” or even “sinful”. But Jesus pulls no punches. He calls it what it is.

And if I fall into that category, and still want to give my kids great things, God will do so immeasurable more! That is absolutely incredible!

Jesus then wraps this passage up by giving us the Golden Rule: do to others what you would have them do to you.

God desires to pour out good gifts on us when we ask him. But in the very next sentence, he ties that to how we treat others. We often overlook that connection. We call for the good gifts, but don’t treat those around us like God expects us to.

Do you see the disconnect?

I’m not so sure that this is as difficult as we make it out to be.

Maybe Jesus‘ description of me is more apt than I’d realized…

Are you asking God for good gifts? How are you treating others? Let me know in the comments.

We are looking at a classic passage this week! These two verses may be some of the most recognizable in all of the New Testament; and some of the most often memorized.

Take a look at the passage in Matthew 7:7-8.

Jesus makes some outrageous promises here. He tells us that God is ready and willing to answer our prayers. He wants to give us what our heart desires…

…As long as our heart’s desires are in line with his will.

That’s not such a big thing, is it?

But it can be difficult.

I know I have a hard time asking God for things, wondering just why he might answer my prayers. But this passages indicates that he wants to do exactly that.

I just need to have the faith to ask…

What is it that you need to ask God for? Do you find that easy or hard to do? Let me know in the comments.

This weeks passage wraps up the section on judging that began with Chapter 7. Review week 35 and week 36.

Jesus uses an illustration here that I’ve never quite understood.

Check out the passage in Matthew 7:6.

Jesus’ uses the imagery of giving the sacred to the dogs, or casting your pearls before swine.

I’ve always wondered just what that meant. I mean, it seems just a bit odd, don’t you think? Just how does this relate to judging others?

Some commentators separate this verse from the judging passage, and title it Honoring What Is Valuable. Out of all the commentaries I have in my personal library, every one treats this verse that way.

If that’s they way it should be viewed, then why do so many Bibles include it under the heading of Judging Others? Even my various study Bibles don’t answer the question in the footnotes.

So, let’s see what you think. I would appreciate your opinions.

The obvious, simple, directive here is clear. But does it relate to the judging passage? Or should it stand on its own? Let me know in the comments.