Beware of false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves.
A false prophet is known by his doctrines and their effects, not by his outward behavior. When doctrines contradict God's perfections, depreciate Christ, lessen God's grace, exalt the creature, or feed men's pride and lusts, they betray themselves. The fruit reveals the tree.
AI summary
Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. (6) False teachers must be taken heed of: and they are known by false doctrine and evil living.
Christ warns that the Church will always be besieged by false teachers, and Satan, a master of deceit, constantly lays snares for the heedless. We must prepare ourselves for uninterrupted war; mere submissiveness to God's Word is not enough. Our faith must be actively fortified to resist, or we shall be easily carried away from the flock.
AI summary