It's an icebreaker that you were introduced to when you showed up at college for the first time. You share three things about yourself with others. Two of the statements will be true, and one of the statements will be false. The group's task is to determine which is which.
In one element of Jesus's Sermon on the Mount, Jesus tells us two truths. It's we who supply the lie.
Truth Number One: We live in a world with ravenous wolves.
Jesus tells us, "Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves."
Just when we thought that we were getting a handle on the Kingdom of God, Jesus warns us that some who are intent on devouring us will pose as trusted guides.
Jesus is not trying to turn us into conspiracy theorists who are suspicious of anyone and everything. No, Jesus is simply encouraging us to apply Kingdom wisdom to those who may be trying to shepherd us.
"You will know them by their fruits." -Matthew 7:15-23
Good trees bear good fruit. Bad trees bear bad fruit.
Understandably, Paul will later feel the need to say more about these fruits in his letter to the church in Galatia. He states, "The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control." -Galatians 5:22
Therefore, the rule that we use to measure sources of information or authority is whether they generate and bear fruit—namely, love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
Is it just me, or does this rule significantly narrow down trustworthy sources and voices?
Truth Number Two: "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven."
To those of us who grew up in a tradition that prized professions of faith—quite literally, "Lord, Lord"--this truth should unsettle us.
It takes more than just words to curry favor with Jesus. Check that—it takes more than just words and deeds to curry favor with Jesus. We'll let Jesus explain himself: "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 deeds of power in your name?' Then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; go away from me, you evildoers.'"
How, then, does one enter the Kingdom of Heaven that Jesus is describing?
"Only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven." -Matthew 7:15-23
Are you sensing a theme?
If Jesus best demonstrates the will of the Father, then we can sum up the entry requirements to God's Kingdom as obedience, service to others, and unconditional love.
Furthermore, those who do the will of the Father will naturally bear good fruit. Like Jesus's life and ministry, their efforts yield the ripening fruit of grace, peace, forbearance, and love.
And Now the Lie We Tell Ourselves: Our actions do not matter.
At our worst, we live as though we are islands. To preserve our sense of autonomy and to live and act however we would like, we take the stance that whatever we do is acceptable because it only affects us. "It can't do any harm," we say to ourselves. "The only person it will hurt is me."
Nothing could be further from the truth.
Each of us is having an impact on someone(s) else. What we say and what we do, what we listen to, and what we repeat all impact others. Whether we realize it or not, our lives are bearing fruit.
The message that you text a friend shapes them.
What you choose to like, comment on, or share on social media affects others.
What story you circulate at the barbershop will shape someone's opinion.
Jesus's truths serve as both warning and encouragement. Jesus warns us to be attentive to the fruit that others are bearing, and we are encouraged to live lives that bear Christ-like fruit. Collectively, we are a grove of fruit trees, and we are all producing something.
So tell me. What fruit is in season in your life right now?