True or False?

By Denise Trio

“Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it. 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? 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. Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’”—Matthew 7:13–23 (NIV)

We’ve all played the game true or false before, or taken exams with these types of questions. They test our knowledge, and we must use that knowledge to determine whether or not the statement is true. In today’s verses, Jesus is giving His disciples and us the knowledge to distinguish between right and wrong ways of living, true and false prophets, and real and fake disciples.

Jesus begins by introducing two types of gates: the narrow gate and the wide gate. These gates are entries into ways of living. The wide gate is the path of least resistance and has the capacity to allow many people to pass through, but it leads to destruction. This gate is like living apart from Christ. On the other hand, the narrow gate is not as easy to pass through, but this gate leads to life. This symbolizes a life devoted to Christ and following His ways, which are not always popular.

I’ll never forget learning this lesson as a little girl. In the fall when we’d go hiking, my mom would point out the wide and the narrow paths. We wanted to choose the wide path because it looked easier, but she referenced these verses and encouraged us to “follow Jesus” on the narrow path.

Then Jesus identifies false prophets. There were many people then, and there are still many people today, who claim they teach the truth on behalf of God but they don’t. They speak from their own minds, not from the mouth of the Lord (Jeremiah 23:16). It might sound like it’s from God, but Jesus teaches us to analyze the fruit. Good fruit indicates good roots. If a fruit tree is rotting, you look at the soil, not the fruit itself. What is the source? In John 15, we read Jesus is the vine and we are the branches. We’re useless without Him. Abiding in Christ produces good fruit. Good fruit represents the result of a virtuous life and godly character.

Finally, Jesus comes to fake disciples. Only those who follow God the Father’s will, and not their own, are real disciples. It’s obedience to God that makes us disciples and a part of God’s family. Our motives matter! Even if we tack on “in Jesus’ name” to our actions, Jesus sees our hearts and can determine if we’re truly serving, giving, and loving in His name. We can’t pay lip service to God!

Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life. We must know Him, and then we can easily determine what is real and what is counterfeit. Through the cross and resurrection, Jesus made a way for us to know Him. He gives us His Holy Spirit to guide us in all truth. By walking in obedience to Him, we can easily pass any true or false test we’re given!

Pause: Have you ever been deceived by something that sounded true but ended up being false? How did that feel, and how did you respond?

Practice: Make a list of the fruit you see in your own life—both good and bad. It could be things like favor at your job, health in your relationships, or anxiety about something. Thank God for areas you see healthy fruit. Ask God to help you dig up unhealthy roots and replace them with healthy ones.

Pray: Thank You Jesus that You give us wisdom and knowledge that was relevant back then and still is today. Thank You for making a way for us to know You and to know the truth. Protect me and those I love from anything that pulls us away from the truth. Help me to obey You, to abide in You, to follow You, to know You more, and to produce good fruit. In Jesus name I pray, amen.