False Prophets (4:19)

Jesus gives us clear guidance regarding the characteristics by which to identify false prophets: (4:20)

Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thorns, or figs from thistles? So, every sound tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears evil fruit. A sound tree cannot bear evil fruit nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus you will know them by their fruits. (mat 7:15-20, RSV) (4:21) see

Paul speaks of the fruits:
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. (gal 5:22-24, RSV) (4:22) see

What are the fruits of Baha'u'llah? Here is a passage from His Writings exhorting His followers: (4:23)

Be generous in prosperity, and thankful in adversity. Be worthy of the trust of thy neighbor, and look upon him with a bright and friendly face. Be a treasure to the poor, an admonisher to the rich, an answerer of the cry of the needy, a preserver of the sanctity of thy pledge. Be fair in thy judgment, and guarded in thy speech. Be unjust to no man, and show all meekness to all men. Be as a lamp unto them that walk in darkness, a joy to the sorrowful, a sea for the thirsty, a haven for the distressed, an upholder and defender of the victim of oppression. Let integrity and uprightness distinguish all thine acts. Be a home for the stranger, a balm to the suffering, a tower of strength for the fugitive. Be eyes to the blind, and a guiding light unto the feet of the erring. Be an ornament to the countenance of truth, a crown to the brow of fidelity, a pillar of the temple of righteousness, a breath of life to the body of mankind, an ensign of the hosts of justice, a luminary above the horizon of virtue, a dew to the soil of the human heart, an ark on the ocean of knowledge, a sun in the heaven of bounty, a gem on the diadem of wisdom, a shining light in the firmament of thy generation, a fruit upon the tree of humility. (gwb CXXX) (4:24)

And again:
O My Servants! Ye are the trees of My garden; ye must give forth goodly and wondrous fruits, that ye yourselves and others may profit therefrom. Thus it is incumbent on every one to engage in crafts and professions, for therein lies the secret of wealth, O men of understanding! For results depend upon means, and the grace of God shall be all-suffcient unto you. Trees that yield no fruit have been and will ever be for the fire. (hwd Persian No. 80) (4:25) see

Baha'u'llah teaches that everyone must acquire divine virtues-the fruit of the spirit spoken of by Paul-and that we must work in this life for the betterment of society. These Teachings are good fruit by any fair standard, and Christ says that only a good Prophet can bear these fruits. (4:26)

Jesus tell us:
If anyone says to you, 'Lo, here is the Christ!' or 'There he is!' do not believe it. For false Christs and false prophets will arise and show great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect. (mat 24:23-24, RSV) (4:27) see

The proofs of Baha'u'llah's claim to be the Return of Christ are not based on any great signs and wonders. Miracles are not and have never been reliable proof of a Prophet. Baha'u'llah's proofs are based upon His life of sacrificial love and suffering in the path of God, His Teachings and the community of followers, dedicated to the betterment of the world, that He has raised up. (4:28)

Peter speaks of false prophets:
But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who brought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction. And many will follow their licentiousness, and because of them the way of truth will be veiled. And in their greed they will exploit you with false words. (2pe 2:1-3, RSV) (4:29) see

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