1 John 4: 1 BECAREFUL OF FALSE PROPHETS. BE KNOWN BY YOUR GOOD FRUITS.

 Wednesday, June 28, 2023


ST IRENAEUS, B AND M. (MEM)


First Reading. Genesis 15: 1-12, 17-18

Psalm. 105: 1-9 (R. 8a)

Gospel. Matthew 7: 15-20


TOPIC FOR REFLECTION


BY THEIR FRUIT WE SHALL KNOW THEM


No one has ever planted cassava and harvested yam

No one has ever planted corn and harvested wheat

No one has ever planted a particular type of crop and harvested another crop.


The grain of the type of crop you plant grows to produce abundant fruits of the same crop planted. More reason, if you plant for instance two or three seeds of corn, you will harvest what is more than the two/three seeds you planted.


Invariably, what you plant and grow in your mind, is what you manifest as abundant fruits externally.

If you conceive evil, you will nurture, nurse and tame the evil to germinate, while the manifestation of that evil you nurture to grow is your harvesting period; hence the abundance of fruits of the evil will be felt by people around you.

It is the same process with one who conceives good.


This is the reason it is said that you can not give what you do not have. 

If you are inclined to be good and do good always, you will certainly bear an abundance of good fruits, and people will benefit from your good deeds.

Similarly, if you conceive evil, the same way people will share in your evil.


Now, Jesus warns that we should be careful of false prophets.

The false prophets are the ones who conceive, nurture, grow and produce evils. They know they are evil and there will be no market for their evil acts, so they pretend to be good in other to get the customer that will benefit from their evils.


More reason Jesus gave the following warnings. 

1. Be vigilant always, for the end is near. 

Luke 21: 36

2. Be gentle as a dove, but wise as a serpent. Matthew 10: 16

3. Dear friends, do not believe every spirit but test the spirits to determine if they are from God because many false prophets have gone out into the world. 1 John 4: 1


In today's first reading, Abram bears great spiritual fruits and won God's favour which merited God making a covenant with him


Similarly, St. Irensus bore great spiritual traits which manifested in the physical, he was a man of peace and defended the church peacefully, and he was crowned with martyrdom.


Therefore, I plead with us not to deceive ourselves and not to deceive others. It is a sin.


Strive to conceive and bear good fruits always.


Peace ✌️ be with you.


Rev. Fr. Segun Oladeji, CRS.

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