Matthew 7:15

“Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.”

-- Jubilee Bible

False Prophets

This one is powerful. This one, if I am right, can change you from the inside out like it has me.

I am not going through this daily exercise to prove my brilliance. In fact, I take no other credit for this work than that I can type. I feel compelled to do what I am doing. I am amazed at what I am finding in some of this scripture study. I am amazed at the questions I am asking, and the answers I am finding. The only part of this project that I completely understand is the change in my spirit as a result of the work. So lets break this one down.

At first glance there is an obvious question raised. Who exactly are these "false prophets" who I have to beware of? When I thought about that, I immediately called to mind my disdain for, or lack of trust in, pretty much everybody. We are told by the placators that people are generally good. I never believed that. I accept that I bear a lot of responsibility for that deduction, given my propensity to seek out those whose intentions may not be pure. Historically. Then it occurred to me that there is a different angle to consider. The good tend to not seek out the not so good. They tend to spend their time quietly, raising their families or solving the worlds problems, be they big or small.

It is the parasites among us who seek us out with vigor and fortitude. Statistically, those who actively seek us out are probably not seeking to help, but to harm.

But then I looked as something even deeper when meditating on this particular set of verses. Ferocious. Ravening. What the heck does ravening mean? Obviously, we are led to believe that it equates to ferocious. That's the thing though. It doesnen't.

Lazy = Death

Matthew 7:15-20 NIV

Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves.

By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? 17

Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit.

A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit.

Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.

Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.

Version Study & Takeaway

The Linguistic Trap:

Both ferocious and ravening carry their own unique connotations. In this case, looking at the Jubilee Bible translation next to the NIV, and examining the context surrounding the two words, it is not immediately obvious where the nuance lies.

So, it is time to look at the Greek: ἅρπαγες (harpages).

The Greek interpretation lends all the clarity I needed. The difference in context in this case is enormous—and sadly, condemning.

Harpages infers deep, malicious intent. It is fair to call a wild wolf ferocious. I'm not sure it is fair to call a wolf ravening, though. The original Greek context strongly suggests that the actions of those who would harm us while professing to help us are more aligned with a leopard—at least, in my mind.

It is safe to say that death by either predator would be considered a ferocious end to the one about to become lunch, but there is a profound difference. If a wolf is not hungry as it watches you from the tree line, it is likely to let you pass. The leopard won't. Hungry or not, with a leopard, you are toast. The leopard enjoys the kill. The wolf enjoys the meal.

The Takeaway:

Does the teacher tell you the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth? Or do they tell you what they think you want to hear? Or worse—only what they want you to know?

Do they teach you how to think, or what to think?

What difference does it make? It may take an eternity to answer that question.