Those that teach or talk to you – what are they like?
The entire teaching from Jesus on the teaching on the mount has been about substance. The character, the standard of righteousness, the practises in the secret life of saints, the choice of who you will serve and its working out in how we deal with every day life – all of that is about substance. Having a substantial character reflecting heavenly qualities of substance.
It’s crucial because this commitment to substance will help when it comes to making wise decisions about those who claim to speak for God.
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. Thus you will recognise them by their fruits. (Matthew 7:18-20)
Jesus is not expecting everyone who shares a word from God to be flawless. He is suggesting that you can tell someone who is a wolf in sheep’s clothing because sooner or later the substance of their character will emerge. Anyone paying the slightest bit of attention to what Jesus has been teaching will know that a man who follows the narrow route is more prone to being meek, humble, pure, peace-loving and merciful. Those characteristics are evident. They are impossible to mimic for any length of time. As they are matters of the heart.
Whereas what is easy to mimic is a smiley face, a charming approach, some pleasant sounding words and an engaging manner. This is just about appearance though. Tragically, lots of people get hung up so much on presentation and appearance that they do not ask questions about substance and about character. Before long they are already being devoured by the ravenous wolves eager to manipulate them to feed their never-ending ego and desire for control.
What Jesus warned about is not new to human society. Smooth-talking, charismatic, impressionable and magnetic types have got people hooked to their woo-ing for millennia. It’s just that for the follower of Jesus, they have to be a lot more concerned with substance.
Jesus did not have a problem being challenged because He knew His integrity and the quality of His character would sustain any accusation. He knew that the substance of His character showed all the qualities that He encouraged others to be aware of. He was not looking to be fed off the adoration and devotion of people. On the contrary, He was looking to serve others so that they might be liberated from that kind of egocentric behaviour. He did it to the point of death on the cross.
It’s a sober warning for those following Jesus to be careful, because there are those just waiting to take advantage. These people will show themselves by the substance.
The truth of the matter must emerge and then wise decisions can be made to accept the good fruit or steer clear of the rotten apple.
(Photo by Dang Cuong on Unsplash)
For His Name’s Sake
Shalom
C. L. J. Dryden
Life With CD 