By Their Fruits, You Shall Know Them Series

"By their fruits, you shall know them" (Matthew 7:20) is a well-known biblical phrase spoken by Jesus Christ during His Sermon on the Mount. These words emphasize the importance of discerning true followers of Christ from false ones. In this sermon, we will explore into the biblical context, meaning, and application of this phrase, highlighting its relevance to our spiritual growth and discernment.

Biblical Context

Matthew 7:15-20 is part of Jesus' teaching on the importance of spiritual discernment. He warns His listeners about false prophets who come in sheep's clothing but are actually ravenous wolves. Jesus emphasizes that these false prophets can be identified by their fruits, just as a tree is known by its fruit.

Meaning and Interpretation

The phrase "by their fruits, you shall know them" refers to the observable actions, behaviors, and character of an individual. Jesus is saying that true followers of Christ will produce good fruit, while false prophets and pretenders will produce bad fruit. The "fruit" in question can include:

Teachings and doctrine: Do they teach sound biblical doctrine, or do they promote false or misleading teachings?

Character and behavior: Do they exhibit the fruits of the Spirit, such as love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23)?

Actions and deeds: Do they demonstrate a commitment to serving others, or are they self-serving and motivated by personal gain?

Application and Spiritual Growth

So, how can we apply this biblical principle to our lives? Here are a few takeaways:

Examine your own fruit: Take an honest look at your own life, teachings, and actions. Are you producing good fruit, or is there room for improvement?

Be discerning: When evaluating others, look beyond their words and examine their actions and character. Do they demonstrate a commitment to Christ and His teachings?

Focus on spiritual growth: Rather than comparing yourself to others, focus on cultivating spiritual growth and maturity in your own life. This will help you produce good fruit and become a more effective witness for Christ.

Conclusion

"By their fruits, you shall know them" is a timely reminder of the importance of discernment and spiritual growth. As followers of Christ, we are called to examine our own lives and actions, while also being discerning of others. By focusing on spiritual growth and maturity, we can produce good fruit and become more effective witnesses for Christ in a world that desperately needs Him.