Discretion...Proceed with Caution

 

MATTHEW 7:13-20

Theme: When we reject a fake righteousness, it will enable us to reject a false system of judgment also.

Relevance: The Lord wants us to exercise wise judgment regarding ourselves, other people, and the Lord himself.

Introduction: Discretion is the quality of being discreet; using good judgment; care in speech or action; wise caution. Unfortunately, many people rushed into things because they are popular and gratifying; however, the disciple must show discretion—we must look beyond the appearance of things and note what is really happening. 

There is also a need to be determined in the matter of using discretion throughout the course of life and discipleship. After presenting the true way of access into His anticipated kingdom, Jesus gave a warning about false prophets. Since there are false prophets in the world, we must always be careful of deception.

Message:

I.               Discretion: Stay on the Straight and Narrow Because It Is the Path of Life (Matt. 7:13-20).

But the greatest danger is self-deception. The scribes and Pharisees had fooled themselves into believing that they were righteous and others were sinful. It is possible for people to know the right language, believe intellectually the right doctrines, obey the right rules, and still not be saved. Jesus gives us reliable advice to help us judge ourselves and others righteously.

a.    Determine to Stay With The Narrow Way Because it is the Right Way (Matt.. 7:13-14).

These verses have a wonderful application to the gospel by depicting the two roads and destinies of the human race. The wide gate and broad way lead to destruction (Prov. 16:25). The strait gate and narrow way lead to life. Jesus is both the gate (John 10:9) and the way (John 14:6).

But while this is a valid application of the passage, the interpretation is for believers. The two ways mentioned here are not the way to heaven and the way to hell, but the way of discipleship contrasted with a wasted life.

                                                    i.     From the Beginning: We Must Choose the Strait Gate and Avoid the Wide Gate.

a.      The Lord warns that the gate to Christian discipleship is strait [small, narrow, and difficult to enter] and the road way is narrow and difficult also. 

                                                                                                                i.     But those who faithfully follow His teachings find the abundant life he promised (John 10:10).

                                                                                                              ii.     Jesus presented the clear way of access into a righteousness lifestyle. The righteousness He demanded (Matt. 5:20) comes through adherence to His teachings alone which emphasize internal transformation and not mere external requirements. 

b.     On the other hand, there is the wide gate—the life of self-indulgence and pleasure.

                                                                                                                i.     Jesus was comparing the wide gate and the broad roadway to the outward righteousness and external requirements of the Pharisees.

                                                                                                              ii.     If people followed the Pharisees’ teachings, their path would lead to certain ruin. The end of such a life is destruction. This is not referring to losing one’s soul, but of a failure to live out a truly righteous life--- the purpose of one’s existence as a disciple.

                                                  ii.     During the Journey: We Must Choose the Narrow Way and Avoid the Broad Way.

a.      Jesus is saying that to follow Him would require faith, discipline, and endurance. But this challenging life is the only life worth living.

                                                                                                                i.     The reason is not difficult to discover: The way of life is narrow, lonely, and costly; it is marked with sufferings, troubles, and afflictions.

                                                                                                              ii.     We can walk on the broad way and keep our “baggage” of sin and worldliness. But if we enter the narrow way, we must give up those things. 

b.     Here, then, is the first test: Did your profession of faith in Christ cost you anything?

                                                                                                                i.     If not, then it was not a true profession. Many people who “trust” Jesus Christ never leave the broad road with its appetites and associations. They have an easy Christianity that makes no demands on them.

                                                                                                              ii.     Yet Jesus said that the narrow way was hard. We cannot walk on two roads, in two different directions, at the same time.

                                                iii.     Despite Conditions: We Must Choose the Life Few Leads and Avoid the Life the Majority Lead.

a.      True discipleship is a minority position, a matter of deliberately opting out from the mainstream, but it is a matter of life and death.

                                                                                                                i.     If you choose the easy way, you will have plenty of company, but you will miss God’s best for you.

                                                                                                              ii.     The broad way is the easy way; it is the popular way. But we must not judge spiritual profession by statistics; the majority is not always right. The fact that “everybody does it” is no proof that what they are doing is right. 

b.     Quite the contrary is true: God’s people have always been a remnant, a small minority in this world.

b.    Determine To Stay Away from the Influence of False Prophets Because they Will Lead You Astray (Matt. 7:15-20).

Wherever the stern demands of true discipleship are taught, there are false prophets who advocate the wide gate and easy way. They water down the truth until, as C. H. Spurgeon said, “There is not enough left to make soup for a sick grasshopper.”

                                                    i.     Realize they are Wolves and Only Appear to be Sheep (Matt. 7:15).

a.      These men who profess to be speaking for God come in sheep’s clothing, giving the appearance of being true believers.

                                                                                                                i.     They present themselves as insiders, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.

                                                                                                              ii.     Their intention is destructive; they are vicious unbelievers who prey on the immature, the unstable, and the gullible.   

b.     So not all alleged preaching, teaching, Christian books, music, and videos are to be taken at face value; it must be tested (1Jn. 4:1-6).

                                                                                                                i.     How can one determine the character of false teachers? The test is not the prophets’ profession but their fruit. We need only look at the fruit they produce. Are they influencing people regarding true inner righteousness of the heart?

                                                                                                              ii.     The meaning of fruit usually indicates behavior which is genuinely pleasing to God (Matt. 3:8–10; 12:33–37; 21:43). 

                                                  ii.     Recognize that Good Fruit Comes from Good Trees (Matt. 7:16-18).

a.      This is God’s detection system for the false prophets: ye shall know them by their fruits. Their licentious lives and destructive teachings betray them.

b.     A tree or plant produces fruit according to its character.

                                                                                                                i.     Thorn cannot bear grapes; thistles do not bear figs. A good tree bears good fruit and a corrupt tree bears evil fruit.

                                                                                                              ii.     This principle is true in the natural world and in the spiritual world. The life and teaching of those who claim to speak for God should be tested by the Word of God: “If they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.” (Isa. 8:20).

                                                                                                            iii.     The Savior gives the correct test of their character.

1.     Generally we do not judge a fruit tree by its leaves, or bark, or flowers, but by the fruit it bears. The flowers may be beautiful and fragrant, the foliage thick and green; but these are merely extras. It is the “fruit” that is of primary benefit to people; and we form our opinion of the nature and value of the tree by that fruit.

2.     The same is true about those who pretend to have saving faith and to engage in Christian service. Their claims may be clear; but the “conduct”-the fruit-is the determining factor about the true nature of the person.

3.     Those religious leaders, who seemed to be good men, who taught spiritual truths about Messiah and His kingdom were exposed by the Lord. Jesus made it clear they were not good for they were leading others astray. 

c.      The two trees show that true faith in Christ changes the life and produces fruit for God’s glory.

                                                                                                                i.     Everything in nature reproduces after its kind, and this is also true in the spiritual realm. Good fruit comes from a good tree, but bad fruit comes from a bad tree.

                                                                                                              ii.     The second test is this: Did my decision for Christ change my life?

1.     False prophets who teach false doctrine can produce only a false righteousness (see Acts 20:29). Their fruit (the results of their ministry) is false and cannot last.

2.     The prophets themselves are false; the closer we get to them, the more we see the falsity of their lives and doctrines. They magnify themselves, not Jesus Christ; and their purpose is to exploit people, not to edify them.

3.     The person who believes false doctrine, or who follows a false prophet, will never experience a changed life. Unfortunately, some people do not realize this until it is too late. 

                                                iii.     Remember the End for False Preachers is the Fire (Matt 7:19-20).

a.     The destiny of the false prophets is to be cast into the fire. The doom of false teachers and prophets is “swift destruction” (2 Pet. 2:1). Like the tree that produces rotten fruit they too will be cut down and thrown into the fire. If they do not fulfill their purpose for existence, they should be removed.

b.     They can be known by their fruits. “Wherefore, by their fruits you shall know them” (Matt. 7:20).

 

Conclusion:

When we reject phony righteousness, we become able to eliminate false systems or sanctimonious standards of judgment also. Our Lord invites us to exercise wise, loving, sensitive, compassionate discernment towards ourselves and other people. Will you accept his generous invitation?

1.  How shall we test our profession of faith? By popularity? No, for there are many on the broad road to destruction. And there are many who are depending on words, saying “Lord, Lord”—but this is no assurance of salvation. Even religious activities in a church organization are no assurance.

2. How then shall we judge ourselves and others who profess Christ as Savior?

The two ways tell us to examine the cost of our profession. Have we paid a price to profess faith in Christ?

The two trees tell us to investigate whether our lives have really changed. Are there godly fruits from our lives?