"A good tree cannot bear bad fruit,
nor can a rotten tree bear good fruit.
Every tree that does not bear good fruit
will be cut down and thrown into the fire.
So by their fruits you will know them.”
(Matthew 7:18-20)
The fruits of a person’s life and ministry determines his authenticity. Not everyone who appears righteous or speaks in God’s name is truly from God. Just as a good tree produces good fruit and a bad tree produces bad fruit, the true nature of a person is revealed by their actions and the outcomes of their teachings. Let us look beyond appearances and words, and to evaluate the character and impact of those who claim to be spiritual leaders.
There are serious consequences of false teachings and the ultimate judgment that awaits those who lead others astray. We have a personal responsibility to discern and choose wisely. We must be proactive in seeking God’s truth and not be easily swayed by deceptive teachings. This involves studying the Scriptures to understand God’s truth and recognize false teachings, praying for wisdom and discernment to identify and avoid false prophets. and being part of a community that values and upholds God’s Word.
15 Jesus said to his disciples: “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but underneath are ravenous wolves. 16 By their fruits you will know them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? 17 Just so, every good tree bears good fruit, and a rotten tree bears bad fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a rotten tree bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 So by their fruits you will know them.” (Matthew 7:15-20)
In the garden of life, where souls take root, the fruits of one’s labor reveal the truth. Not all who speak in God’s holy name, are truly from Him, despite their claim. A good tree yields fruit, sweet and pure, a bad tree’s harvest, none can endure. By actions and outcomes, true nature is shown, in the light of their deeds, their hearts are known. Look beyond the surface, the words they say, evaluate their character, the path they lay. For false teachings lead to dire consequence, and judgment awaits those who cause offense. We bear the duty to discern and choose, to seek God’s truth, and not be confused. Study the Scriptures, let wisdom grow, in prayer and community, His truth we’ll know. With hearts attuned to God’s divine Word, we’ll recognize falsehoods, no longer deterred. Together we’ll stand, in faith and might, upholding His truth, shining His light.
Lord Jesus, our Savior and Guide, we come before You with humble hearts, seeking Your wisdom and light, to discern the truth in a world of shadows. Help us to recognize the fruits of life and ministry, to see beyond appearances and words, and to evaluate the character and impact of those who claim to be Your servants. Grant us the wisdom to discern false teachings, and the courage to stand firm in Your truth. May we not be swayed by deceptive voices, but remain steadfast in our pursuit of Your Word. Teach us to study the Scriptures diligently, to understand and embrace Your divine truth. Fill us with Your Holy Spirit, that we may have the discernment to identify false prophets. Guide us to be part of a community that values and upholds Your Word. May we support one another in faith, and grow together in Your love and grace. Lord, protect us from those who lead others astray, and help us to choose wisely in all we do. We trust in Your sovereignty and goodness, knowing that You will guide us on the path of righteousness. In Your holy name, we pray, Amen.
The words of the book shows how powerful and transformative God’s Word can be. Regularly reading and meditating on the Scriptures align our lives with God’s will. It opens our hearts to genuine repentance and humility, acknowledging our wrongdoings, seeking forgiveness, and making amends. Let us not just hear the words of the Book of the Law; but act upon them and put them into practice by way of living out our faith through our actions.
As leaders, we should set a positive example in leading others towards righteousness. The collective act of worship and commitment highlights the strength and unity that comes from worshiping God together as a community. It reminds us of the importance of fellowship and communal worship in our spiritual journey.
Our covenant before the Lord is to follow Him wholeheartedly. This act of commitment shows the importance of dedicating ourselves fully to God’s commands and living a life that honors Him. It encourages us to renew our commitment to God regularly and to seek God’s guidance in all aspects of our lives, especially when faced with significant decisions or challenges. It emphasizes the need for prayer and seeking God’s wisdom.
These lessons from Josiah’s story remind us of the transformative power of God’s Word, the importance of repentance, and the need for committed and obedient leadership. They inspire us to seek God’s guidance, renew our commitment to Him, and live out our faith in our daily lives.
8 The high priest Hilkiah informed the scribe Shaphan, “I have found the book of the law in the temple of the Lord.” Hilkiah gave the book to Shaphan, who read it. 9 Then the scribe Shaphan went to the king and reported, “Your servants have smelted down the metals available in the temple and have consigned them to the master workmen in the temple of the Lord.” 10 The scribe Shaphan also informed the king that the priest Hilkiah had given him a book, and then read it aloud to the king. 11 When the king had heard the contents of the book of the law, he tore his garments 12 and issued this command to Hilkiah the priest, Ahikam, son of Shaphan, Achbor, son of Micaiah, the scribe Shaphan, and the king’s servant Asaiah: 13 “Go, consult the Lord for me, for the people, for all Judah, about the stipulations of this book that has been found, for the anger of the Lord has been set furiously ablaze against us, because our fathers did not obey the stipulations of this book, nor fulfill our written obligations.” 23:1 The king then had all the elders of Judah and of Jerusalem summoned together before him. 2 The king went up to the temple of the Lord with all the men of Judah and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem: priests, prophets, and all the people, small and great. He had the entire contents of the book of the covenant that had been found in the temple of the Lord, read out to them. 3 Standing by the column, the king made a covenant before the Lord that they would follow him and observe his ordinances, statutes and decrees with their whole hearts and souls, thus reviving the terms of the covenant which were written in this book. And all the people stood as participants in the covenant. (2 Kings 22:8-13; 23:1-3)
The words of the Book, so powerful and true, Transform our hearts, our minds renew. In Scriptures’ light, our paths align, With God’s will, so pure, divine. In humble prayer, we seek His face, Repentance brings us to His grace. Forgiveness sought, amends we make, in faith and love, our steps we take. Not just to hear, but act we must, in God’s commands, we place our trust. Living out faith, in deeds and care, His love and truth, we boldly share. As leaders, let us shine the light, guide others towards the path of right. In worship’s strength, united stand, together, we fulfill His grand plan. Our covenant, before the Lord we lay, to follow Him, in every way. With hearts devoted, lives we give, in His wisdom, we choose to live. In prayer and trust, His guidance seek, in every challenge, strong or weak. Renew our vows, our faith proclaim, in God’s great love, we find our aim.
Heavenly Father, Your Word is powerful and transformative, guiding us in every step we take. As we read and meditate on the Scriptures, align our lives with Your will. Open our hearts to genuine repentance and humility, acknowledging our wrongdoings, seeking Your forgiveness, and making amends. Help us not just to hear the words of the Book of the Law, but to act upon them. May we live out our faith through our actions, demonstrating Your love and truth in all we do. As leaders, grant us the wisdom to set a positive example, leading others towards righteousness. Strengthen our community through collective worship and commitment, highlighting the unity that comes from worshiping You together. Remind us of the importance of fellowship and communal worship in our spiritual journey. We renew our covenant before You, Lord, to follow You wholeheartedly. This act of commitment shows our dedication to Your commands and our desire to live a life that honors You. Encourage us to renew our commitment to You regularly and to seek Your guidance in all aspects of our lives, especially when faced with significant decisions or challenges. Emphasize the need for prayer and seeking Your wisdom. May Your presence be our constant guide, and may we always find strength and direction in You. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.
God’s righteousness brings life and revival. A deep longing for God’s precepts and His righteousness should be a driving force in our lives. Understanding God’s Word is crucial for wholehearted obedience. We should seek God’s wisdom to fully grasp and live out His laws. Following God’s commandments should be a source of joy and delight where we find pleasure in living according to God’s will. We should have a teachable spirit, always open to learning God’s ways and ask Him to incline our hearts towards His statutes and away from selfish pursuits. Our priority should be spiritual values over material gain. It’s important to focus on what is spiritually valuable and avoid distractions that lead us away from God. Let us seek a deeper relationship with God through a life centered on His Word, find joy in our lifelong obedience to His commandments, and to focus on what truly matters.
33 Instruct me, O Lord, in the way of your statutes, that I may exactly observe them. (R) 34 Give me discernment, that I may observe your law and keep it with all my heart. (R) 35 Lead me in the path of your commands, for in it I delight. (R) 36 Incline my heart to your decrees and not to gain. (R) 37 Turn away my eyes from seeing what is vain: by your way give me life. (R) 40 Behold, I long for your precepts; in your justice give me life. (Psalm 119:33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 40 )
God’s righteousness brings life and revival, A beacon of hope in our daily survival. A deep longing for His precepts and ways, Should drive our hearts through all of our days. Understanding His Word, a crucial quest, For wholehearted obedience, we are blessed. Seek God’s wisdom, grasp His laws, Live them out without a pause. Following His commandments, a source of joy, In His will, we find our true employ. With a teachable spirit, open and bright, Learning His ways, walking in His light. Ask Him to incline our hearts to His statutes, Away from selfish pursuits and disputes. Prioritize spiritual values over material gain, Focus on what’s eternal, avoid worldly strain. Seek a deeper relationship with God above, Centered on His Word, filled with His love. Find joy in lifelong obedience, pure and true, Focus on what matters, in all that we do.
Heavenly Father, Your righteousness brings life and revival to our souls. We long deeply for Your precepts and righteousness to be the driving force in our lives. Help us to understand Your Word, for it is crucial for our wholehearted obedience. Grant us Your wisdom, Lord, so we may fully grasp and live out Your laws. May following Your commandments be a source of joy and delight, where we find pleasure in living according to Your will. Give us a teachable spirit, always open to learning Your ways. Incline our hearts towards Your statutes and away from selfish pursuits. Let our priority be spiritual values over material gain. Help us to focus on what is spiritually valuable and avoid distractions that lead us away from You. We seek a deeper relationship with You through a life centered on Your Word. May we find joy in our lifelong obedience to Your commandments and focus on what truly matters. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.
Pericope:
Gospel
II: The Proclamation of the Kingdom
FALSE PROPHETS
Matthew 7:15-20
First Reading
V: The Kingdom of Judah after 721 B.C.
THE BOOK OF THE LAW
2 Kings 22:8-20
Responsorial Psalm
Fifth Book of Psalms 107-150
A PRAYER TO GOD, THE LAWGIVER
Psalm 119:1-176
Related Blogs:
https://thetreeoflifeandknowledge.blogspot.com/2024/06/tree-and-its-fruit.html
https://sheepsandwolves.blogspot.com/2024/06/sheeps-clothing-but-ravenous-wolves.html
https://evangelizingtheworld.blogspot.com/2024/06/covenant-to-follow-lord.html
https://runtotherisenlord.blogspot.com/2024/06/exactly-observe-way-of-gods-statutes.html
Reflection Source:
Conversation with Copilot
