Jay Straub

Follower of Jesus the Christos, Former airline pilot, Author, IOD-TBI survivor by the grace of God

[Jay Straub @Jay__Straub]

@EmmausWire For sure!

[DarkChrisTopher @DarkChrisBurner]

False Prophets, Sheep’s Clothing, and the Danger of Using God’s Name for Evil
Matthew 7:15–23-

This passage sits near the end of the Sermon on the Mount. Jesus has just taught about the narrow gate, the difficult road that leads to life, and the broad road that leads to destruction. Then He turns and warns His hearers about a specific danger that can pull people off that narrow path: people who claim to speak for God while serving something else entirely.

The Text (Matthew 7:15–23, ESV)-

“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? So, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the 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. Thus you will recognize them by their fruits.

Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’”

Why This Passage Cuts So Deep-

Jesus is not primarily warning about obvious pagans or open idolaters. He is warning about people who look like the flock. They wear the right clothing. They use the right language. They even operate “in His name.” Yet inside they are predators. The danger is not that they reject God outright—it is that they *use* God as cover while advancing something false or destructive.

The test Jesus gives is simple and relentless: fruit. Not gifts. Not miracles. Not volume of religious activity. Fruit. What does their life and teaching actually produce? Does it lead people toward holiness, humility, truth, and obedience to the Father..or toward something else?

Then Jesus goes further. He describes a future moment of judgment where people will stand before Him and list impressive spiritual résumés: prophecy, exorcisms, miracles—all done in His name. His response is devastating: “I never knew you.” Relationship, not performance, is the decisive issue. Works done without genuine knowing of Christ are still works of lawlessness.

The Pattern Across Scripture-

This is not a new problem. The Old Testament repeatedly confronts false prophets who claimed “Thus says the Lord” while speaking their own words (see Jeremiah 23:16–17, 21–22; Ezekiel 13). They told people what they wanted to hear. They promised peace when there was no peace. They used the name of the living God to prop up what was false.

Jesus brings the same warning into the New Covenant era. The danger remains: religious language, spiritual power, and the name of God can be weaponized. When that happens, the result is not just error..it is evil dressed in sacred clothing.

Why This Matters Right Now-

Every generation faces people and movements that invoke God while pushing agendas that contradict His character and His Word. The form changes; the danger does not. Some use God’s name to justify control, greed, cruelty, or compromise. Others use it to gain influence, silence opposition, or baptize their own ambitions. The fruit eventually shows. The question Jesus forces us to ask is not “Do they sound spiritual?” but “What is actually being produced, and does it align with the will of the Father?”

This passage is also a mirror. It forces every believer to examine their own life. It is possible to speak about God, serve in His name, and still not know Him. The warning is not only for “them.” It is for us.

[Jay Straub @Jay__Straub]

@EmmausWire 🙏

[Jay Straub @Jay__Straub]

@WassonWatch Might be worth looking at the grok explanation of this.

[Jay Straub @Jay__Straub]

@The_FJC Too many!

[Jay Straub @Jay__Straub]

@JoelWBerry Yes, the replies bellowing about the huge number of followers etc., of Carlson, certainly prove the point that Jesus made. Broad is the road that leads to destruction. https://t.co/S60oXX1Xxv

[Lara Logan @laralogan]

Yep. I am against honor killings, acid attacks, female genital mutilation, domestic violence & Sharia law. I am in favor of the constitution, women’s rights, life, liberty & the pursuit of happiness. What you do in your own country is your business - what you do in mine becomes my business.

[Lara Logan @laralogan]

How can we hold one more election until this is fixed nationwide?

[Lara Logan @laralogan]

Correct. But they no longer have information dominance so share far & wide. And pray for this Pastor & his family.

[Jay Straub @Jay__Straub]

When we dig into this as Joel does it’s really hard to see how the supersessionists can come up with their nonsense.

[Joel Richardson @Joel7Richardson]

Pharaoh: The Great Serpent King https://t.co/bv4JZ3UMWF via @YouTube

[Jay Straub @Jay__Straub]

@derekgilbert Biblical illiteracy.

[Joel Berry @JoelWBerry]

I suspect one of the biggest obstacles to Jewish repentance and belief in Jesus today is the hostility and disdain of people who pretend to be Christians.

That’s a terrible shame—and these wicked frauds will answer on the day of judgment for it.

[Jay Straub @Jay__Straub]

@JoelWebbon “Wolf in sheep’s clothing” It will not go well for you when the King of the Jews returns!

[Jay Straub @Jay__Straub]

@Joel7Richardson I’m with you Bro! 🤢🤢🤢

[Jay Straub @Jay__Straub]

@Joel7Richardson @rbohlender 😆

[Lara Logan @laralogan]

Texas is under assault & much of the state is asleep at the wheel.

[Jay Straub @Jay__Straub]

@Joel7Richardson The answer for all those flat-earthers we have discussed. 😆

[Werenotinsaudianymore @StihlUser]

@japan_nobunaga If you look all the way down the aisle of Buc-ee’s, you have definitive proof the Earth is not flat

[Jay Straub @Jay__Straub]

@EmmausWire Yes, many thanks Gabe for keeping us posted!

[Jay Straub @Jay__Straub]

@Exodus15_11 @mokeyandabandit @Joel7Richardson Can’t wait to read your cloistered musings after the-you know what-hits the fan.