Charles Spurgeon Commentary Matthew 7:15

"Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep`s clothing, but inwardly are ravening wolves." — Matthew 7:15 (ASV)

Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing,

Dressed like Elijah.

Beware of false prophets.

But so long as he is a prophet, people will respect him; do not find fault with him, he is a clever man.

But inwardly they are ravening wolves.

Very Ahabs and Jezebels; and they will deceive you, if you are not divinely guarded against them.

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

There are always plenty of them about; there is nothing of the sheep about them but the skin, and there is no connection between that skin and those that wear it.

Beware of false prophets.

Some honor and esteem all prophets. "Is it not a very high office? Is a prophet not a man sent from God?" Yes, and for that very reason there are counterfeits whom God has never sent. Beware of false prophets.

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

They look just like sheep. They look just like shepherds, but it is only their clothing. The mere hypocrite is the goat in sheep's clothing. But a false prophet is a wolf in sheep's clothing, because he can do so much more harm, and will do, so much more damage to the church of God.

We need to use our judgment, and we must test the spirits of those who claim to be sent by God. There are men of great gifts who are “false prophets”. These imitate the look, language, and spirit of God’s people, while in reality they long to devour souls, just as wolves thirst for the blood of sheep. “Sheep’s clothing” appears very fine, but we must look beneath it and detect the wolves. A man is what he is inwardly.

We must beware. This precept is timely now. We must be careful not only about our way but also about our leaders. They come to us. They come as prophets. They come with every outward commendation, but they are indeed Balaams and will surely curse those they pretend to bless.

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

We need our judgments, and we must test the spirits of those who profess to be sent by God. There are men of great gifts who are "false prophets." These imitate the look, language, and spirit of God's people, while really they long to devour souls, just as wolves thirst for the blood of sheep.

"Sheep's clothing" is all very fine, but we must look beneath it and spy out the wolves. A man is what he is inwardly.

We must beware. This precept is timely at this time. We must be careful, not only about our way, but about our leaders. They come to us; they come as prophets; they come with every outward commendation; but they are indeed Balaams, and will surely curse those they pretend to bless.