Fruit (Bible study)

Know them by their "Fruits".....

If Matthew 7:15 - 20 is mentioned, only a few will realize what the verse entails. But if 'false prophets' are mentioned, then many ears will prick!

That's because we are always on on a witch-hunt & waiting to pounce on any preacher or pastor, or any man or woman of God.

I truly wonder whether this is the way forward as a follower of Jesus.

Let's see the verses .. this is Lord Jesus speaking....

Matthew 7:15-20 (KJV)
[15] Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.

[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.

Verse 15- Jesus says to be aware of false prophets who can deceive you in to believing that they are not who they really are. Therefore being 'aware' is important.

Then Jesus says "Ye shall know them by their fruits" - verse 16. (Keep in mind, as explained from verse 16 (b) to verse 18, it could be either 'good' or 'evil/corrupt'' fruits.)

'To know them by their fruits' must be very IMPORTANT,  - for Jesus to REPEAT  verse 16(a) again in verse 20.

A question for all the knowledgeable and the blessed theologians here is: when Lord Jesus says in verse 19 "Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire" - does it mean that 'WE' do the 'hewn down' & 'casting in to fire' or is it God who does it?

The 'hewn down' & 'casting in to fire' is only for the trees that 'do not bring forth good fruit'.

So let's leave those kind of trees to be 'dealt' by God himself and let's keep our eyes on the trees that produce good fruits & enjoy such good fruits!

Blessings to all!