Why does this teaching matter?
Jesus does not suggest false prophets might come — He guarantees it. His warning implies three critical truths: false prophets will look like genuine believers ('sheep's clothing'), they will be destructive ('ravening wolves'), and believers have a responsibility to identify them ('beware'). Discernment is not optional — it is commanded.
What did Jesus Christ teach?
"Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves."
Speaker: Jesus Christ
Source: Sermon on the Mount, Matthew 7:15
What does Scripture confirm?
Matthew 7:15-16
"Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. You will know them by their fruits."
— NKJV
Jesus provides both the warning and the method of identification: fruit inspection. False prophets are identified not by their appearance or words but by the fruit of their lives and ministries.
2 Peter 2:1-2
"But there were also false prophets among the people, even as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Lord who bought them, and bring on themselves swift destruction. And many will follow their destructive ways."
— NKJV
Peter confirms Jesus's warning: false teachers WILL come, they will bring destructive heresies, and MANY will follow them. The popularity of a teacher is no guarantee of their faithfulness.
1 John 4:1
"Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world."
— NKJV
John commands active testing — not passive acceptance. Every teaching, every spirit, every prophet must be examined against Scripture. This is the biblical mandate for discernment ministries.