By Their Fruits

Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. Matthew 7:20 (KJV)

There are many fakes out there. It can be difficult to tell the real people from the phoneys. There are false prophets, preachers, politicians, and false people in every walk of life. Jesus said we would know them by their fruits, or what their life produces. A corrupt person can’t bear good fruit. Conversely, a good person can’t bear corrupt fruit. The fruit will tell on them, exposing who they really are.

Here are some examples:

• A fountain can’t bring forth both good and bitter water at the same time. A person is either of God or they are not. James 3:10-12

• Everyone who confesses that Christ came in the flesh is of God. If not, they aren’t. I John 4:1-6

• You can’t call Christ a curse when speaking by the Spirt of God because the Spirit always glorifies Christ. I Corinthians 12:3

• You can’t all Christ Lord except by the Holy Spirit. I Corinthians 12:3

• You can look at a person’s declared platform or belief system to see if they are of God or not. Their platform should align with the Word of God if they are of the Lord.

• You can do research on someone’s track record and see what they opposed or approved. This is especially helpful in looking at politicians.

• You can watch a person long enough and they will eventually be revealed, especially when they are under pressure or could lose what they value.

• You can know someone by how they treat other people, especially those people who can’t do anything for them.

You can know a person based on God’s written Word- they either live according to the Word or they don’t. You can know them by the Holy Spirit. The Spirit of Truth will let you know in your spirit if someone is genuine or not (John 16:13). Discernment, a gift of the Spirit, will also allow you to see in a person’s motives (I Corinthians 12:10).

Words will reveal a person’s heart and character, so be observant and you’ll learn a lot about a person (Matthew 12:34 )..

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