Spiritual Frauds

Matthew 7:15-18

Every once and awhile you hear in the news about a con artist who befriended a congregation then got them to buy (gold, stocks, mutual funds, property) from him then skips out of town with their money. People usually trust the guy (or gal) because he belongs to their church. He speaks their language. He understands their needs.

This story line is tragic, but there are some ways to prevent it. Here's one of those steps from an article How to Avoid Money Scams:

"Do your own due diligence. That means you must delve into the background, qualifications, and track record of the person/entity presenting the “opportunity.” Always assume that the venture is not legit; then allow your research to prove otherwise" (para. 5).

While it's tragic to have your life savings lost to a fraudster. There's actually a greater danger. It's the danger of spiritual fraud. Jesus said, "Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves" (Matthew 7:15).

In some ways, the same test for a financial fraudster can be applied to a spiritual fraud. We delve into their background. "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" (Matthew 7: 16-18).

Is the speaker's life producing good fruit: "love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, and faithfulness"? (Galatians 5:22).

Is the leader's message in line with the word of God? This one is harder because it requires time to become familiar with the Bible. We need a basic biblical knowledge to even recognize when someone is departing from the Bible, and we need to take the time to go back over what a speaker has said and analyze it according to scripture.

This process of comparing what someone has said with scripture is broader than just pastors. Sometimes we are being spiritually trained by the media. Am I fact checking every area of my life against God's word?

I want to be like the Bereans that Paul commended: "Now the Bereans were of more noble character than the Thessalonians, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day" (Acts 17:11).