Bible Study - verse by verse - 23

Matthew 7:12 This is commonly known as the Golden Rule. In many religions it is stated negatively: "Don't do to others what you don't want done to you." By stating it positively, Jesus made it more significant, it is not very hard to refrain from harming others; it is much more difficult to take the initiative in doing something good for them. The Golden Rule as Jesus formulated it is the foundation of active goodness and mercy - the kind of love God shows to us every day. Think of a good and merciful action you can take today.
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Matthew 7:13, 14 The gate that leads to eternal life (John 10:7-9) is called "narrow." This does not mean that it is difficult to become a Christian, but that there is only one way to live eternally with God and only a few who decide to walk that road. Believing in Jesus is the only way to heaven, because He alone died for our sins and made us right before God. Living this way may not be popular, but it is true and right. Thank God there is one way!
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Matthew 7:5 False prophets were common in Old Testament times. They prophesied only what the king and the people wanted to hear, claiming it was God's message. False teachers are just as common today. Jesus says to beware of those whose words sound religious but who are motivated by money, fame, or power. You can tell who they are because in their teaching they minimize Christ and glorify themselves.
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Matthew 7:20 We should evaluate teachers' words by examining their lives. Just as trees are consistent in the kind of fruit they produce, good teachers consistently exhibit good behavior and high moral character as they attempt to live out the truths of Scripture. When Jesus talks about bad trees, He means teachers who deliberately teach false doctrine. We must examine the teachers motives, the direction they are taking, and the results they are seeking.
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Matthew 7:20 Some self-professed athletes can "talk" a great game, but that tells you nothing about their athletic skills. And not everyone who talks about heaven belongs to God's kingdom. Jesus is more concerned about our walk than our talk. He wants us to do right, not just say the right words. Your house (which represents your life), will withstand the storms of life only if you do what is right instead of just talking about it. What you do cannot be separated from what you believe.