Eighth Sunday after Trinity AD 2025

False prophets come in sheep’s clothing. They look like sheep – but inside they are ravenous wolves. They are like trees that look beautiful on the outside – but their fruit shows that they are rotten on the inside.

False prophets usually have no difficulty in deceiving people. That is why there is never a shortage of false prophets, past, present, or future. In the past, they had to wear rough robes, eat black bread and drink plain water, and wander around homeless. Today, they dress in designer suits, live in luxurious mansions, and travel on private jets. But their fruit is still the same: they mislead people, tempting them to abandon the narrow path that leads to life and walk with them on the broad way that ends in hellfire.

False prophets do not become true men of God because they prophesy in the name of the Lord, cast out evil spirits, and perform miracles. A true man or woman of God, a true child of God, is one who does the will of the Heavenly Father. Prophecy, casting out demons, and powerful works will not get anyone to heaven – only God’s grace in Jesus Christ will carry us there.

Caiaphas proclaimed in a prophetic manner that Jesus must die for the people. Judas Iscariot rejoiced with the other disciples that even the demons would submit to him. Simon the Magus performed all sorts of miracles in Samaria that astonished the people of the city and even wanted to buy the gift of the Holy Ghost from the apostles. Were they true men of God? Certainly not! A true man and woman of God is one who does the will of God: believes in Jesus Christ and bears the good fruit of righteousness.