Matthew 7:15-20

A Tree and Its Fruit

¹⁵ “Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves. ¹⁶ You will know them by their fruits. Grapes are not gathered from thorn bushes nor figs from thistles, are they? ¹⁷ So every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit. ¹⁸ A good tree cannot produce bad fruit, nor can a bad tree produce good fruit. ¹⁹ Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. ²⁰ So then, you will know them by their fruits.

Don’t judge a book by its cover…but DO judge a tree by its fruit. The analogy of the tree suggests that we have to wait and see what kind of fruit is produced…but it will be evident…our hearts will be revealed in our fruit. This passage is often used to justify judging others who claim to be prophets, but could this be a call for us to examine our own lives? Examining our lives allows us to make sure we’re grounded and rooted in Christ, causing us to bear good fruit.

Take the time to read Psalm 1. Where our roots are planted and fed affects our fruit. Where are your roots planted? Are you growing, getting fed by the very best? How’s your fruit?

Prayer: God, I want to be firmly planted by Your streams. Draw my roots toward You so that I might bear good fruit.

Scripture quotations taken from the NASB © The Lockman Foundation (www.lockman.org)