False Prophets: Saul & Samuel

[00:00:00] Even so, every good tree produces good fruit, but the corrupt tree produces evil fruit. Matthew 7 17 Dear Lord, without Your guidance and grace, we are like trees without roots, unable to bear good fruit. We ask for Your divine intervention in our hearts. Transform us from within.

[00:00:30] So that we may become like good trees, rooted in Your Word and love. Help us to bear fruit that reflects Your goodness and mercy. Cleanse us of any tendencies that lead to bad fruit. And prune away the branches that do not honor You. Give us the strength and wisdom to live in accordance with Your will.

[00:00:57] May our actions, words and thoughts be pleasing to You. And a testament to Your greatness. Equip us with the courage to stand firm in our faith, especially in challenging times. May our actions, and faith, and faith. We trust in Your power to work through us. And we commit ourselves to grow in Your likeness every day.

[00:01:27] May our actions, and faith, and faith. Thank you for being our constant source of strength and inspiration. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen. Amen. Thank you for praying with me today. This is the Jesus Podcast. You're joining us for another story connecting the Sermon on the Mount to other biblical sagas. Remain here to be inspired and challenged.

[00:01:55] If this podcast blesses you, subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a friend. Jesus was drawing His sermon to a close. The words spoken on the Mount rang like heavenly trumpets in the hearts of many. But would these truths translate to action? Would the seed of God's word spring forth into vibrant fruit?

[00:02:25] Only time will tell. Jesus, yearning for them to have genuine, thriving faith, said, Beware of false prophets who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You may ask, how do we know they are wolves? How can one tell a false prophet from a genuine one? I tell you, you will recognize them by their fruits.

[00:02:55] Are grapes gathered from thorn bushes or figs from thistles? So, every healthy tree bears good fruit. But the rotten, diseased tree bears bad fruit. 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.

[00:03:22] Thus, you will recognize them by their fruits. Are you in pain after walking, running, or even just standing? It's not your feet. It's your shoes. This summer, switch to G-Defy shoes with patented VersoShock technology, which aligns your body, provides superior shock absorption, and trampoline-like energy return.

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[00:04:47] In one of the epic's defining moments, Odysseus rejects the offer of immortality from the goddess Calypso, choosing instead the long and difficult journey home. His decision reveals one of the central themes of The Odyssey. That a life of duty, family, and home is greater than a life devoted to comfort or glory. That's why Hillsdale College has released its newest free online course, The Odyssey.

[00:05:15] Taught by Professor Benedict Whalen, the course reveals why Homer's masterpiece remains one of the greatest works of Western literature. Enroll today for free at hillsdale.edu slash watch now. Read the classics. Study the West. Hillsdale.edu slash watch now. There are many who claim to speak for God.

[00:05:42] Behind thousands of podiums and pulpits are men and women who proclaim to know the secrets of salvation and the power of prophecy. Yet we also know that Jesus warned us against false prophets, people who look the part. Yet thanks be to God that He gave us a test for people who claim to speak the truth, the fruit of their lives. This is The Jesus Podcast. I'm Ethan from Pray.com.

[00:06:08] Join us as we continue our mini-series through the Sermon on the Mount. We've been connecting biblical stories to the gospel message of Jesus spoken on the Sermon on the Mount. Today, we delve into a crucial teaching from Jesus' Sermon on the Mount found in Matthew 7, verses 15-20. This passage warns us about false prophets and the importance of discerning true from false guidance by their fruits.

[00:06:35] We will connect this teaching to the story of King Saul's failure in 1 Samuel 13, verses 8-15, highlighting the consequences of disobedience and the need for true obedience to God. Together, we'll explore how to recognize genuine spiritual guidance and remain faithful to God's commands. The name of Israel became a stench to the Philistines.

[00:07:03] Before Saul's army, the people of God were militiamen and farmers with swords. Yet recent victories under their new king had provoked the enemies of Israel. Their hatred was ignited. In a matter of weeks, the Philistines amassed an army of over 3,000 chariots and 6,000 horsemen to press up against the nation of Israel.

[00:07:31] Their foot soldiers were like the sand of the shore, too great to count. Their presence was fierce, like a wild beast prowling at their door. Panic began to settle into the hearts of people, and the men who followed Saul doubted their ability to succeed against such a vast army. The Philistines were wise tacticians, not lacking in skill or strategy.

[00:08:03] Slowly, over the weeks, they sent assassins to kill and kidnap the blacksmiths of Israel, forcing the armies of Saul to carry farming tools, axes, and daggers. They were reduced to militiamen again. Victory was within reach, and the Philistines had not even begun the battle. They came up and encamped in Michmash, to the east of Beth-Avon.

[00:08:34] Messengers of Israel gazed upon the vast army. They were like a swarm of locusts, prepared to devour everything in their wake. Israel feared them, and they knew it. Fear was their first weapon. Saul called the people to join him at Gilgal, where he was ordained as king before them.

[00:09:02] Samuel would make a sacrifice to God on behalf of the people, and then Israel would descend into battle against the Philistine horde. However, Saul's confidence began to wane as he saw his army diminish by the day. Men hid themselves like dogs in the caves and cisterns. Other men had fled to Gad and Gilead with their families.

[00:09:33] Saul marched up the hill towards Gilgal. He could sense the men behind him trembling with fear. He knew it was only a matter of time before they too left him. When they arrived at Gilgal, Saul gathered the people and lifted his arms. The sun's glare bounced off of his armor, nearly blinding them.

[00:10:03] Saul stood tall, with an air of confidence in his voice. He raised his sword high in the air and shouted, Men of Israel, do not fear the horde of Philistines lurking at our borders. Samuel is coming to make a sacrifice on our behalf. He will lead us in worship to our God, and we will descend with the strength of the Lord on our side. Believe in me as your king. I shall deliver you.

[00:10:33] The men listening perked up with hope. They were comforted by their king's words and eagerly awaited Samuel's arrival to make the sacrifice. Every hour spent away from the battle was more time for the Philistines to gather strength than for Israel to grow more fearful. Saul needed Samuel to come quickly. He cared less for the sacrifice unto God

[00:11:01] and more about what it would do for morale. However, Samuel's donkey was nowhere on the horizon. Seven days was the appointed time for Samuel to arrive. But it had been a week, and there was still no sign of him on the road. Saul paced the camp of his soldiers, growing concerned about their lack of passion.

[00:11:29] Men began to scatter and leave camp. Saul felt his control waning. Time, not the Philistines, was becoming his true enemy. Each night Saul gathered his men to strategize. However, he lost their ears. More reports had come in from the Philistine army. More men were being added to their numbers by the day,

[00:11:58] and Saul was losing control of his men's hearts. The sun had begun its descent over the horizon on the seventh day, and Saul sat at the stone where he was ordained as king. He remembered the lightning falling from the sky and the people scattering in fear. From the very beginning, Saul felt out of control.

[00:12:26] Even his own coronation had been interrupted. Now, on the eve of his greatest battle yet, Samuel was absent. Saul felt a surge of paranoia well up from within him. The people will leave me. They need to know that the Lord is on my side. They need to know that I am just as anointed and blessed as Samuel.

[00:12:54] Saul measured the sun's distance from the horizon. He only had an hour left before nightfall. The king stood to his feet, his heart racing and his hands sweating. His eyes darted over to the altar where Samuel would make the sacrifices to God. Samuel was the appointed prophet of Israel and chosen by God to represent them.

[00:13:22] However, he was not there, and Saul needed his men to trust him. So, out of paranoia and distrust in God's providence, Saul sent for an animal. Bring me the burnt offerings and the peace offerings. The servants were perplexed, but they did as they were told. Saul gathered the people together at the altar.

[00:13:52] He cleaned, prepared, and made the sacrifice before them. He had the violent and savage touch of a soldier. He butchered the animal without delicacy or grace. The beautiful and honorable practice of burnt offerings was reduced to a frantic act of paranoia. Saul's voice lifted up to the heavens with vain and repetitious platitudes

[00:14:21] as the burnt offerings ascended in smoke to the sky. Saul could feel the people's anxiety lifting as they saw their king worship. All he wanted was for their approval. For years he had been seeking the praise they gave him during his coronation. He longed for their worship. He craved their approval.

[00:14:52] Samuel ascended the hill of Gilgal. He looked to the horizon. The sun had begun its descent, and he was pleased that he had arrived before the seventh day was over. Samuel's old legs made their way up the hills. He meticulously moved forward, avoiding the holes in rocks along the way. Samuel was a patient man,

[00:15:23] unhurried, and attuned to the peaceful rhythms of God. He reached the encampment of Gilgal. Winded from his long journey, Samuel paused and scanned the area. Most of the men had left their sights and gathered at the camp's edge near the altar. He heard chants and prayers being lifted to the Lord. Samuel walked closer,

[00:15:53] afraid of what he was going to find. Smoke rose to the heavens at the center of the crowd. As he approached the group, Samuel saw Saul at the altar amidst the sacrifice. He was smiling ear to ear, basking in the praise of the people. Samuel's blood boiled with righteous anger.

[00:16:20] It was not Saul's place to make a sacrifice on behalf of the people. He had overstepped and disgraced the practices of the priesthood with his vain worship. The sun was setting, and then the people made their way back to their tents. They left with smiles on their faces, reassured that the Lord was on Saul's side.

[00:16:47] However, Samuel knew the real heart of God. He leaned underneath a cypress tree, waiting for Saul to approach. Saul watched the people retreat for the night. He was pleased with his ability to comfort them. The flames continued to rise on the altar. He wiped the blood off his hands and rested the filthy rag on the altar,

[00:17:16] knocking over some coals onto the floor. The rag burned immediately, and the burning red coals turned cool. He turned and saw Samuel leaning against the tree with his arms folded. Saul, being caught up in the delusion that he was the priest of the Lord, approached Samuel with a priestly greeting. Ha, ha, ha, ha!

[00:17:46] Samuel! The Lord bless you and keep you! His blessing was a counterfeit greeting. It was as empty and meaningless as the sacrifice he had just made on the altar. Samuel appeared at him silently. Yes, God warned them. Prideful king, for a prideful nation. Saul placed his hand on Samuel's shoulder, but it was quickly batted away.

[00:18:16] Samuel stood up straight. Although Saul was a head taller than Samuel, the priest's presence seemed to loom over the king. What have you done, Saul? Oh, you mean the sacrifice? The people were losing heart, Samuel. They were scattering from me and retreating to the hills for safety. And you had not come when you said you would. So I took action.

[00:18:44] Saul paused to look for validation from Samuel, yet he received none. Growing nervous, Saul continued to ramble. The Philistines have mustered a large army at Michmash. The choice was set before me as king. I could march down without the favor of God, or I could lead the people to the altar of the Lord and make an offering. Naturally, I chose to honor God.

[00:19:14] I forced myself to take on the role of priest. Forced yourself? Yes, Samuel. I would have preferred you to arrive sooner so you could perform the sacrifice. However, I had to do what I had to do. You are a fool! You have disregarded the command of the Lord your God! Saul, your kingdom would have been established forever.

[00:19:43] You had the chance to see the glory and mercy of God bless your hands. But now your kingdom shall not continue. But, but Samuel, these are my people. They're my... They are God's people, Saul! Not yours. The Lord has sought out another to replace you. A man who is after his own heart. He has sought out a man

[00:20:11] who cares more about pleasing the heart of Yahweh than looking for the approval of man. This king shall be a prince over the Lord's people. He shall steward God's people well. And it will be his kingdom that continues into eternity. Saul stood silently, looking down at Samuel. His words rang in his ears.

[00:20:41] He looked back at the altar. The flames had dissipated and the wood had split and fallen off the edge. Before Saul could ask for forgiveness or give a defense of himself, Samuel departed. All the empty words Saul desired to give him would remain in his mouth. The priest had left.

[00:21:11] The people were ignorant of Samuel's words to Saul. They did not know that the Lord had turned his face from him. However, Saul knew. He knew his days as king were numbered. Yet, he would hold on to the throne for as long as he possibly could.

[00:21:40] Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. By their fruit, you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thorn bushes 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.

[00:22:09] Thus, by their fruit, you will recognize them. Jesus warns us to be vigilant against false prophets who appear righteous but are inwardly corrupt. He emphasizes that we can recognize them by their fruits, their actions, and the outcomes of their lives and teachings. True prophets and genuine spiritual leaders will produce good fruit. Reflecting God's character and leading others towards righteousness.

[00:22:38] The story of King Saul's failure in 1 Samuel 13, verses 8-15 provides a powerful illustration of the consequences of disobedience and the importance of true obedience to God. Saul was instructed by the prophet Samuel to wait seven days at Gilgal for Samuel to come and offer sacrifices to seek God's favor before going into battle with the Philistines. Saul's impatience and his lack of faith led him to disobey

[00:23:07] God's command. Instead of waiting for Samuel, he took matters into his own hands and offered the sacrifices himself. This act of disobedience revealed Saul's lack of trust in God and his failure to adhere to divine instructions. Saul took the place of a priest, but in reality, he was a false priest. He cared more about his own image than he did about performing the will and the righteousness of God. False prophets are performative.

[00:23:36] They care more about the appearance of holiness than they do about the silent, secret moments of obedience and trust in God Most High. True spiritual leaders will emphasize obedience to God's commands. Saul's failure highlights the importance of complete obedience rather than partial or conditional compliance. Genuine guidance will always align with God's Word and will lead us towards greater faithfulness to Him. Saul's impatience and failure

[00:24:05] to wait for Samuel illustrate the need for patience and trust in God's timing. True spiritual leaders demonstrate faith in God's plans and do not take shortcuts that compromise their obedience. Trusting in God's timing requires us to have faith that He knows the best course of action, even when it challenges our understanding. Jesus teaches that we will recognize true prophets by their fruits, their actions, and the outcomes of their teachings.

[00:24:35] Good fruit includes love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Leaders who exhibit these qualities and lead others to do the same are reflecting God's character. Observing the consistent behavior and teachings of a leader over time helps us to discern their authenticity. True spiritual leaders exhibit humility and a willingness to repent when they fall short.

[00:25:05] Saul's attempt to justify his disobedience contrasts with David's heartfelt repentance when confronted with his own sins. Humility and repentance are signs of a heart that is truly seeking after God. Leaders who acknowledge their mistakes and seek forgiveness demonstrate their genuine commitment to God's ways. How can we discern true and godly leadership without being overly judgmental or paranoid? Lord knows that there are plenty of people online who continually

[00:25:35] judge every little failure by a public figure and this isn't a healthy practice. We don't want to be sin sniffers always looking for flaws in others like hound dogs. However, we do want to practice discernment so we and those we love aren't led astray. First, we must evaluate leadership by its fruit. Assess the actions and teachings of spiritual leaders by the way in which their mission honors Jesus. Look for evidence of obedience,

[00:26:05] patience, good fruit, humility, and consistency with Scripture. Is this person extending a hand to the poor? Do they make disciples of Jesus or of themselves? How do they treat their families? Second, understand that true obedience is more pleasing to God than any outward show of religiosity. Prioritizing obedience means aligning our actions and decisions with God's will and being willing to follow His guidance even when it challenges us.

[00:26:35] A godly leader will often swim upstream from culture. Beware of a leader who never receives criticism from popular culture and looks exactly like the rich and famous. Lastly, is God glorified or is man glorified? It's simple, really. Whose name is being proclaimed? Whose mission is being accomplished? Whose kingdom is being built? As we reflect on Jesus' words in Matthew 7 verses 15-20

[00:27:04] and the story of King Saul's failure, let us be reminded of the importance of recognizing true and false guidance. May we strive to obey God fully, to practice patience and to cultivate good fruit in our lives. Let us pray for the grace and the wisdom to be true citizens of heaven, discerning and following the true path that leads to life. Thanks again for listening to the Jesus Podcast. Take a moment to follow this podcast

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