Evidence is in the Fruit

"You shall know them by thier fruits"

Matthew is my favorite gospel, mainly because it includes more of Jesus' teachings than any other. In chapter 7, Jesus provides several important warnings along with guidance on how to judge things accurately. Only God knows the hearts of all individuals. He alone has the authority to judge a person's motives, yet He has given us a means to judge the fruit of a person's actions. The evidence is in the fruit.

Let's examine verses 1-2 where He stated, "Judge not, that you be not judged. For with what judgment you judge, you shall be judged; and with what measure you use, it shall be measured to you again." He highlights that the standard you use will be the standard used to judge you. The message is not to completely refrain from judging, but to ensure we use appropriate standards for judgment. We DO NOT judge someone's motives, but we judge the fruit, and the standard we use is the Word of God; the nine distinct character traits in Gal. 5:22-23, called the "fruit of the Spirit". Jesus uses the metaphor of a fruit tree to illustrate His point. The evidence is in the fruit!

When I was a child, we had a peach tree in our backyard, and our neighbors had apple

Pay attention to their key traits

and cherry trees. I loved climbing trees and often challenged myself to see how high I could go without falling. My dad used to take me to orchards, where I enjoyed picking fresh fruits directly from the trees. To identify fruit trees by their leaves, you need to pay attention to their key traits and unique characteristics. Let's go deeper into what Jesus is saying to us.

Firstly, let me mention this, it would be beneficial for you to read the entire chapter, but at least review verses 15-20. In verse 20, Jesus states, "Wherefore by their fruits you shall know them." Jesus is indicating that the fruit serves as the evidence by which we judge a person. Since we have no right to judge a person's motives, He provides us with a means to avoid evil intent. We can decide for ourselves whether that person is someone we can trust, befriend, or avoid by judging their behavior. I Corinthians 15:33-34 warns us how bad company or negative influences can degrade our character. We must guard our Christ-like character and increase in His likeness.

Many people tend to believe that judging is wrong, but Jesus clarifies this in verses 15-20. While discussing the need to be cautious of false prophets, He has given us this principle so that we can recognize those who are wolves in sheep's clothing. Certainly, the Word of God's intent is to educate us on living wisely. It is worth every effort to study and apply this knowledge. Sometimes the devil places people in churches to lead them away from God and His people. So, be vigilant, judge the fruit and stay safe. The evidence is in the fruit!

-P. Dorarena