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In Matthew 7:16, Jesus tells those following Him to beware of false prophets, saying “You will know them by their fruit.” He goes on to illustrate that we cannot get grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles. Every good tree bears good fruit, every bad tree bears bad fruit. Good cannot bear bad and bad cannot bear good. Every tree that doesn’t bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Therefore, by their fruits you will know them.
The definition of good in these passages is – generous, kind. The definition of bad is envious, toilsome.
What kind of fruit are we bearing? Galatians 5:22 tells us the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Those who are Christ’s put to death the flesh and its passion and desires. This means regardless of what circumstances are surrounding us, we are called to demonstrate this fruit, in our homes with our families, in our businesses with our bosses and co-workers and with people who we encounter that we meet maybe once or twice. There is no exception to Christ’s command to love others as we have been loved by Him.
There is no exception to Christ’s command to love others as we have been loved by Him.
Matthew 13:23 AMP “As for what is sown on good soil, this is he who hears the Word and grasps and comprehends it; he indeed bears fruit and yields in one case a hundred times as much as was sown, in another sixty times as much and in another thirty. As we hear the word, grasp it and comprehend it, we are bearing much fruit.
But we must remember, we cannot do it in our own strength. John 15:2-16 reminds us that the only way we bear fruit is to abide in the vine. The vine is Jesus and we cannot bear good fruit apart from Him. Verse 8 tells us, “By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so, you will be My disciples.”
Let’s Pray
Father, we thank you that you give us the Holy Spirit to help us bear the fruit that is good and is multiplied that you are glorified. Help us to make abiding in You and in your word a priority that we can be good trees bearing much good fruit. In Jesus Name, Amen.
