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There were false prophets in the Old Testament that claimed to have divine revelation from Heaven but did not. Christ is not here speaking of those people. He is speaking of those Teachers in the new age of Grace, who falsely distort essential doctrines of the Christian religion. Christ describes them as being attractive, personable, persuasive, outgoing and often appearing meek and humble. All those things that attract people and command a following. Wolves in sheep clothing for beneath those pretenses are malicious hypocrites.
Teachers may take some comfort here, no one is perfect. No one has all truth and most teachers sincerely seek God's guidance and even when we error, we are not to be confused with those who purposely lead, in a false direction, those whom they teach. Christ gives us a good yardstick to measure a man's intentions, "You shall know them by their fruits." (Acts 5:34) This is simply a law of nature. Good fruit comes from good trees and bad fruit from bad trees. "Every tree that does not bring forth good fruit is cut down." Christ appears to be quoting John the Baptist here (John 3:10). Matthew Henry puts it this way, "While God's treasure is put into imperfect earthen vessels, it is not put into corrupt vessels."
Consider the doctrine of the false teachers. If it tends to promote serious piety, humility, charity, holiness and love, it is of God. On the other hand, if it tends to make people proud, worldly, unjust, uncharitable, or grant freedoms that are not Christ like, and justification for your worldly desires, you can consider this not to be of God.
We close this portion with a word of warning. We are not saved by good works but certainly we give evidence of our salvation by our good works.
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