Jesus said one time that you can recognize someone from the fruit that they produce. Have you ever thought about that statement? Hmmm. Probably not. I on the other hand am a complete insomniac who lies awake hour after hour thinking about all kinds of things like this while normal people are soundly sleeping.
My thoughts on this passage are that Jesus, as was often the case, was addressing a most serious matter in plain and simple terms for which average people could readily understand. He was warning us that everyone who claims to represent God and present His message is not presenting His message as He desires, nor are they sent by Him.
Jesus said we will be able to recognize them by their fruit and that a good tree bears good fruit and a bad tree bad fruit. Hmmm… What tree? What fruit? The “tree” to which He refers is analogous to anyone who teaches the Gospel, and the “fruit” is the message that they deliver.
This passage is referring to the teachings of those who misrepresent the word of God or as He referred to them, “False Prophets”. Jesus warns us against false prophets. Has anyone ever known a false prophet or false teacher? Most false teachers don’t wear a sign on their chest and back that says “false prophet” on them. They are usually well dressed, well spoken, with a smile as big as Texas. They might be handsome, beautiful, or photogenic, and look like a million dollars, (and have the matching bank account due to their generous supporters).
On the surface, they seem harmless. They might say some things we want to hear and make us feel good and even spark some hope. Some, or even “most”, of what they teach might be true. I’ve heard it said before that the best lies are 90% truth. That is why we must take everything we hear from any preacher or teacher and compare it with Scripture. If anything they say doesn’t line up, then it’s time to ask some questions or perhaps get the heck out of there.
We might be tempted to think “Well, they’re only slightly off, where is the harm?” Consider if you were a military pilot and you used that line of thinking to land your supersonic jet on an aircraft carrier. Being just a “little” off could ruin your day.
What they teach is wrong. They teach a different Jesus. They don’t teach Jesus Christ of the Bible. In recent years, the most popular teaching is the Americanized version of Christ and His church. This vision of Jesus is based on the American Dream and far removed from acknowledging that sin exists and without Christ’s sacrifice will be punished by everlasting fire in a place called hell according to Holy Scripture.
Jesus rendered more vivid warnings about the horror of hell and the need for personal redemption through His BLOOD sacrifice than anyone else in the entire Bible. You will not get that from these guys and gals. Just feel good and live for the devil all week and acknowledge the Lord on Sundays if you have time to tune in on television. Whatever you desire, just do it feel good, and keep that positive attitude and focus on money and power in your life.
Jesus taught the exact opposite.
Test the teachers whom you put your trust in. Do they teach verbatim out of the Bible, or do they add a little or omit a little? Don’t suffer the same fate that they will suffer as clearly voiced by Jesus and annotated below for your reading pleasure.
Matt.7:15
Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves.
By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles?
Likewise every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit.
A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit.
Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.
Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.
“Not everyone who says to me, Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.
Many will say to me on that day, Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’
Then I will tell them plainly, I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’
Have a great weekend and go to church this Sunday!