By Their Fruits You Shall Know Them
Matthew 12:34 says “Brood of vipers! How can you, being evil, speak good things? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.”Often, we will find out what we are made of by what comes out of our mouths in both good and bad circumstances.
Matthew 7: 16-23 (Shows us how important it is to bear good fruits) 16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? 17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. 19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. 20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. 21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? 23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
Jesus said in Luke 6:45 "A good person produces good deeds from a good heart, and an evil person produces evil deeds from an evil heart. Whatever is in your heart determines what you say" When you are a true bible believing and born again Christian, it should be reflected by what you say and do, people should be able to find Godly fruits in your life. Followers of Jesus Christ ought to be good examples by producing spiritual fruits of the Spirit. Jesus said in John 15:8, "My true disciples produce much fruit. This brings great glory to my Father". Jesus also said in Matthew 7:20, "By their fruits you will know them".
The metaphor of bearing fruit is used quite often in the Bible. In the Parable of the Sower, Jesus spoke of seed that falls on different types of ground, representing different reactions to the truth of the gospel message. The final category He mentioned in Mark 4:20 was good ground: "But these are the ones sown on good ground, those who hear the word, accept it, and bear fruit: some thirty fold, some sixty, and some a hundred". In other words, those who have spiritual longevity are those who embrace this truth and produce fruit. The Bible tells us that we should bear fruit worthy of repentance (see Matthew 3:8).
Galatians 5:22 says, "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long suffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control". A Christian's life should be characterized by these things. Are you producing fruit? Or is the opposite true? Instead of love, is there hatred, bitterness, or even prejudice in your life? Instead of joy, is there constant gloom? Instead of peace, is there turmoil? Instead of gentleness, is there a short temper? Instead of faith, is there endless worry? Instead of meekness, is there pride and arrogance? Instead of self-control, are you a victim of your own passions? If so, then either you don't know God at all or a re-commitment to Christ would be in order.
Your fruits are your actions, what you do. Wise King Solomon wrote, “Even a child is known by his deeds, whether what he does is pure and right” (Proverbs 20:11). So what about you? If you are known by your deeds, how would you be known? What are the fruits of your life so far?
It really does boil down to action. Spiritual fruit in your life will require real action on your part. Jesus warned those who wanted to be a part of His future eternal Kingdom, “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven” (Matthew 7:21). Did you notice what this verse says? It says action is required. There is something you must do.
Now is the time to begin building good habits and living by the laws of God. Today is the time to begin making positive changes in your life where they are needed. Don’t put it off until tomorrow. Seek to pass each test that comes along when it comes along and not put off the hard things to a later time. Become a predictable human being that God can count on to do the right thing! Shalom my friends!
By Hilda Oti
April 21 2017