“Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.” (Matthew 7: 16-20)
I love this passage in Matthew. I have used it ever since I can remember to help me to determine the people I should be associated with. Granted, in this passage, Jesus is speaking in particular about false prophets, but if you think for just a moment, you can see where this easily applies to others as well.
Have you ever known someone who seemed to always be in trouble? Someone who stole things just because they wouldn’t get caught? What about a habitual liar? Those are the fruits that warn you about character flaws and sin in their lives. Those are those little red flags that go off in your mind that tell you, you should avoid that person because you don’t want to associate with that type of behavior. When choosing a friend apply the fruit test. What fruits do they produce in their life? Sadness? Misery? Gossip? Helpfulness? Kindness? Love? Associating with the good fruits, or the fruits of the spirit (Galatians 5: 22-23).
This applies to other things as well. What fruits does the company you work for produce? Is it a company full of internal strife? Do they lie, cheat, and steal to squeeze out every last buck?
What about your church and your minister? That one can sure touch a nerve with some people but take a moment and examine the fruits that your church and minister produce. Are they fruits of the spirit? Does your church sit and pass judgement on people? Is it a social gathering or do you walk away from a sermon having been touched by the word of God?
Knowing the fruits produced by those around you will truly help you to live a more Godly life. You can minister to those who are lost and are producing bad fruits allowing their lives that are void of salvation to produce the things that Jesus said defiles a man and comes out of man. (Mark 7: 20-23) You can bring the good fruits of the spirit into a lost world so that others may see the light of salvation through a loving and just God. Judge trees by their fruit but make sure that your tree is producing the very best fruit that it can. Have a great day and God bless!