Charles Spurgeon Commentary Matthew 7:22

"Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy by thy name, and by thy name cast out demons, and by thy name do many mighty works?" — Matthew 7:22 (ASV)

And in your name done many wonderful works?

Yes, and we may do many wonderful works, and yet be wonderfully deceived. It is not wonderful works: it is holy works; not works that amaze men, but works that please God, which are the proof of grace in the soul. Well, there will be some who will be able to say that they prophesied – that they cast out devils – that they did wonders.

And in thy name have cast out devils;

Yes, and there was one that cast out devils, and he was a devil himself, namely, Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed him. He went out and performed miracles in the name of Christ, and then sold Christ for pieces of silver.

Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in your name?

Yes, so did Balaam. Was not Saul also among the prophets? And yet neither Balaam nor Saul was accepted by God, but they were castaways, Have we not prophesied in your name? A man may be a preacher, and an eloquent preacher, and he may even have some blessing upon his preaching, and yet be cast away forever.