By Their Fruit You Will Recognize Them
Matthew 7:16
(Photo by Pascal Debrunner on Unsplash. Berean Standard Bible)
Matthew 7:16 By their fruit you will recognize them. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles?
Jesus wants believers to be able to discern between true and false teachers. He teaches that you can recognize them by the visible fruit of their lives. What is truly in a person’s heart will eventually become evident through their words, actions, character, and teaching.
Genuine faith in Christ produces a transformed life. This does not mean believers are perfect, but it does mean that someone who truly knows God will increasingly practice righteousness and seek to obey Him.
Be careful of teachers whose lives consistently lack godly fruit or whose teaching does not align with Scripture.
This passage should also lead you to examine your own life. What kind of fruit is being produced in you? Are you growing in the fruit of the Holy Spirit, love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control?
As you abide in Christ, the Holy Spirit will continue working in you and producing fruit that reflects the character of Christ. ~ Jeff M Newman
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