Bible in a Year - Women’s Thematic Reading Plan | Day 241

Day 241 of the Women’s Bible Plan: Read Matthew 7:15-23 and listen to the words of Jesus about false prophets, good trees and corrupt trees, and those who say, “Lord, Lord.” Today’s devotional helps us reflect on true spiritual life—not merely hearing the Lord’s name or speaking it outwardly, but bearing the fruit of obedience, truth, holiness, and love. 

🌸  Dear Sister, welcome to Day 241 of our reading journey. 

Sometimes it is easy to let spiritual life remain on the surface. We may hear many teachings, attend many gatherings, say the right words, and do things that appear zealous and spiritual. Yet in Matthew Chapter 7, Jesus reminds us that God does not look only at outward appearance. He looks at the true fruit of our lives.

Jesus tells us to beware of false prophets. They come in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. He also says that a good tree brings forth good fruit, and a corrupt tree brings forth evil fruit. A person’s life will eventually be revealed through words, choices, relationships, values, obedience, and hidden conduct.

This passage is not given so we can proudly judge others. It first calls us to honest self-examination before the Lord. Do I only call Him Lord with my lips, while not truly obeying Him? Do I have outward religious habits without an inward life being changed by God? Am I willing to let the Lord prune me so that my life may bear true fruit?

A Minute of Grace

Matthew 7:15-23 is an important teaching near the end of the Sermon on the Mount. Jesus first warns His disciples to beware of false prophets, who come in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravening wolves. Then He uses the image of trees and fruit to teach that a good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, and a corrupt tree cannot bring forth good fruit. By their fruits, they shall be known.

The “fruit” Jesus speaks of is not merely outward success, nor is it only religious performance. Someone may use spiritual words, do things that appear powerful, even prophesy, cast out devils, and do many wonderful works in the Lord’s name. Yet Jesus points to something deeper: does this person truly know the Lord, and does this person do the will of the Father? Spiritual life cannot be measured only by a loud voice, visible ministry, or outward appearance of godliness. It must be seen in a life truly submitted to God.

This passage gives us a serious reminder: not every one that saith, “Lord, Lord,” shall enter into the kingdom of heaven, but he that doeth the will of the Father. Jesus is not despising prayer, service, or spiritual gifts. He is warning us not to replace a real relationship with God and true obedience with outward religious activity. Those who truly belong to the Lord do not only confess Him with their lips; they listen to His words, walk in His ways, and bear fruit that pleases Him.

Today’s theme, “Known by Their Fruits,” invites us to quietly examine ourselves before the Lord. What kind of fruit is my life bearing? Is it love, honesty, humility, forgiveness, holiness, and obedience? Or is it pride, envy, bitterness, falsehood, control, and self-centeredness? We do not need to face this passage with fear, but we do need to respond with honesty. When the Lord exposes what is false, He is not pushing us away. He is calling us back to true life.

Whispers for the Heart

1 Jesus said, “Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.” If you quietly look back over your recent life, what kind of “fruit” most often appears in your words, emotions, choices, and relationships? Do these fruits show that you are being changed by the Lord’s words?

2 Jesus reminds us that not everyone who says, “Lord, Lord,” truly does the will of the Father. Do you sometimes remain in outward spiritual habits while neglecting real obedience? Is the Lord reminding you today of one specific area where you need not only to know His word, but also to do it?

3 This passage also teaches us to discern true and false teaching, true and false spiritual influence. How do you discern whether a message, leader, example, or spiritual voice truly agrees with the Lord? Are you willing to return more deeply to Scripture and judge by God’s Word, rather than being moved only by eloquence, passion, or outward power?

As you read Matthew 7:15-23 today, do not see this passage only as a warning about false prophets. Let it also become a mirror for your own life. May the Lord help us not only to hear His name and speak His name, but to obey Him, follow Him, and bear fruit that belongs to Him in our daily choices.

Take a quiet breath before you begin. Bring your outward appearance, inward reality, hidden motives, and life’s fruit before the Lord, and let His Word meet you there.

🎞️ Today's Youtube Video 

🪕 Response Hymn: 

Matthew 7:15-23 (KJV) 

15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.

16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?

17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.

18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.

19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.

20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.

21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.

22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?

23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

🪕 Response Hymn: 

💡 Closing Thought ·  Let Your Life Bear True Fruit

After reading Matthew 7:15-23, we hear the serious reminder of the Lord Jesus: spiritual life is not measured only by outward appearance, nor by how often we say, “Lord, Lord.” True life bears fruit. True faith leads to obedience. Those who truly know the Lord will increasingly desire to do the will of the Father.

As we close this page and return to real life, perhaps the Lord is reminding us not only to ask, “How do others see me?” but also, “What kind of fruit is my life bearing before God?” In front of the people closest to us, in choices no one else sees, and in moments of pressure and temptation, our fruit will slowly become visible.

May today’s Scripture help you not to fear the Lord’s light or avoid His pruning. May you abide more deeply in Christ, let His Word renew your heart, and live a life that does not merely hear or speak His name, but bears true, good, and pleasing fruit through obedience.

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