Fruit Inspectors

N.T.#80 "Fruit Inspectors"

May 30, 2023

Matthew 7-Part 8

Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. (verse 20)

LET IT GLOW

In this section, Jesus is warning about false prophets. We are to take heed, be on guard, watch out, and keep ourself from them. They appear as sheep, but are inwardly, wolves. (verse 15) They reveal their true self by the fruit they bear. They bear corrupt and evil fruit. (verse 18)

Let's look at the fruit he bears.

• First, the false prophet feeds on thistles and thorns (worldly nourishment), not grapes and figs and feeds them to others. (The true food for the soul is Jesus Christ and His Word.) 
• You will know them by their fruit. (verse 20) Corrupt trees cannot bring forth good fruit. (verse 18)
• You cannot always tell by its appearance of a tree if it is going to produce good fruit. (bark and leaves may appear good)
• Try and test the spirits, prophets and teachers. (1 John 4:1)
• Prove, examine, all things, including the prophet's fruit. (1 Thess. 5:21)

For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. (Romans 8:5)

Do your leaders use the Bible to read from and teach as truth for living or do they tell nice stories?

LET IT GROW

This fruit has to do with two things. What a person bears in his own life and what a person bears in the lives of others.

Does your teacher present the gospel stressing faith and grace with behavior of obedience? Do they stress positive, acts of love and attitudes, doing for others? Is hope given?

The terrible future of the false prophet is severe judgment. As a fruitless tree is cut down and cast into the fire, so is the false prophet. the good tree continues to produce good fruit. 

So we are fruit inspectors. Does our life produce the evidence of the holy Spirit through love, joy, peace, patience, faith, goodness, kindness, humility, charity, and  holiness? Maybe we should inspect our own fruit first.

There is no one righteous, not even one. (Romans 3:10)

Sin always has consequences. God's Word points us to Christ, who can forgive our sins and set our feet on the right path.

LET IT GO

Keep us on the right path today, Jesus.