Known By Our Fruit

Jesus said to his disciples: "Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but underneath are ravenous wolves. By their fruits you will know them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? Just so, every good tree bears good fruit, and a rotten tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a rotten tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire. So by their fruits you will know them." (Matthew 7:15-20)

Jesus knew how to tell a good and compelling story.  His words stand the test of time.  Bad fruit is rotten fruit such as abuse, neglect, violence, addiction, manipulation, and greed.  Good fruit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (fruits of the Holy Spirit).  It also is compassion, sincerity, integrity, and honesty.  

Who among us is rotten to the core?  We likely can name some people, but then forget that some of the fruit in our own baskets is rotten and must be thrown out.  We trees bearing bad fruit risk being cut down with eternal fire being our fate.  That’s kindling for the fires warming the devil’s dark and cold cavern. 

False prophets, who come to us in sheep's clothing, are the ravenous wolves or worms in our fruit.  We know who they are.  It’s remarkable we don’t always reject them but listen to and heed their lies.  They are thornbushes convincing us they bear grapes or are thistles pretending to bear figs.  

Really?  Are we that gullible?  Many of us are.  As Jesus said, those of us with eyes should see and those of us with ears should hear.  Otherwise, we are blind and deaf – and dumb.

Deacon David Pierce