"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."

So you walked through the narrow gate. You chose obedience over comfort. You decided to follow Jesus. That's incredible. But here's what you need to know. The moment you commit to following Jesus, you become a target for people who want to redirect your journey. Not everyone who talks about Jesus is actually leading you toward Jesus.

Jesus follows His warning about the two gates with a warning about false prophets. Why? Because choosing the right entrance is only the beginning. Now you've got to navigate the path. And not all the guides on that path are taking you where Jesus is going.

Look at what Jesus says. Beware of false prophets who come in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. These people don't show up wearing a sign that says they're leading you astray. They show up using Jesus language. They quote Scripture. They gather followers. They preach sermons. They host podcasts. They write books. They speak at conferences. They look like they belong on the narrow path.

Can I just say this? Wolves in wool are dangerous because they blend in. Just like a diseased tree in an orchard can look fine from a distance, false teachers can look legitimate until you get close enough to check the fruit. So how do you know who's real and who's fake?

Jesus says look at the fruit. You can't fake fruit forever. You can put on a show for a season, but eventually what's inside comes out. The tree produces what it is. A healthy tree can't bear bad fruit, and a diseased tree can't bear good fruit. It's that simple.

But here's where it gets personal. Jesus isn't just warning you about false prophets out there. He's also challenging you to turn that lens inward. Check your own fruit too. Because the same test that exposes a false teacher exposes a false disciple.

What kind of fruit is your life producing right now? Is it the fruit of the Spirit? Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self control? Or is it the fruit of the flesh? Anger, bitterness, jealousy, selfishness, pride, gossip, division?

You can say all the right things. You can sing all the right songs on Sunday morning. You can serve on all the right teams. But what's growing in your life when nobody's looking? What comes out of your mouth when you're stuck in traffic? How do you treat your spouse when you're tired? What do you look at online when you're alone? That's your fruit.

Here's what I need you to know. If your life is producing bad fruit right now, that's not a sign you need to try harder. That's not a sign you need to read your Bible more or pray longer prayers or volunteer for another ministry. Those things are good, but they're not the solution. Bad fruit is a sign you need a different root system.

You can refine your behavior all day long, but only a new nature bears new fruit. A thorn bush doesn't need behavior modification. It needs to become a different kind of plant altogether. And that only happens through the power of the Holy Spirit working in you.

John puts it this way. Whoever says I know Him but does not keep His commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him. That may sound harsh, but John's making the same point Jesus is making. You can't claim to know God and live like you don't. The two don't go together. Your life will produce evidence of who you really belong to.

Tomorrow we'll talk about what it really means to call Jesus Lord, because it's possible to use all the right words and still miss the whole relationship.

Ask someone who knows you well to tell you honestly what kind of fruit they see in your life. Don't defend yourself. Just listen. Then take what they say to God in prayer and ask Him to show you what needs to change.