“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.” (Matthew 7:16-18)
Christ teaches that the state of a man’s heart is evidenced by his life. In other words, Christianity is not validated by profession, feelings, knowledge, or outward appearance alone, but by the life that flows from the heart. As a tree is known by its fruit, so a man is known by his conduct, his affections, his obedience, and his perseverance in holiness. This is a principle declared by Christ Himself and therefore must be received and applied with diligence.
Many object to this doctrine, saying that such teaching discourages weak Christians. But the truth is that it discourages false Christians, not true ones. A weak believer may have less fruit, but the fruit he has is real. A hypocrite may speak the right words but will lack the fruit of true holiness. The difference is not between perfect and imperfect fruit, but between real fruit and no fruit.[1]
Others say that Christians do not all need to have the same experience, and this is true in regard to degrees of assurance and growth. But it is not true in regard to the essence of Christianity. Every true Christian is born again, repents of sin, believes in Christ, loves God, and seeks to obey His commandments. Where these experiences are entirely absent, there can be no true saving grace.
The way to life everlasting is not comfortable to the flesh, nor agreeable to our corrupt nature. And this is why Christ warns us to beware of false prophets. False teachers make religion comfortable and convenient. They encourage men to rest in something short of true repentance, true faith, and true holiness.
But the heart must be changed before the life can be changed. Christ declared that a corrupt tree cannot bring forth good fruit, and a good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit as the pattern of its life. This does not mean a believer never sins, but that sin is not the characteristic governing pattern of his life.
This truth is necessary for two reasons. First, it helps the true believer examine himself and find assurance where true fruit exists. Second, it exposes false hopes and calls sinners to true repentance. For false hope will damn a soul; only the truth can save it.
Therefore, we must not look to feelings or experiences, but whether our life characteristically bears fruit unto holiness. For Christ has declared: “Ye shall know them by their fruits.”
Contemplations:
- Search my heart. Lord, I ask You to examine my life and show me what kind of fruit I am bearing. Do not let me deceive myself with outward appearances or empty profession. Show me whether my life is producing the fruit of repentance, faith, and holiness, for I want to be a good tree that bears good fruit for Your glory.
- Keep me from false assurance. Father, I know it’s possible to think I am safe when I am not. Do not allow me to rest in anything short of true grace. If there is anything false in my profession, reveal it to me now, so that I may turn to You in true repentance and faith.
- Make me a good tree. Lord, I know that I cannot produce good fruit unless You first make me a good tree. Change my heart, renew my mind, and give me a new nature that loves righteousness and hates sin. Let my life produce the fruit of a heart that has been changed by Your grace.
- Let my life show that I belong to Christ. Lord Jesus, I want my life to show that I belong to You. Let my words, my actions, my thoughts, and my desires reflect Your work in me. Help me live in such a way that the fruit of my life points to You.
Prayer (Supplication)
Gracious and righteous Father, I come before You asking that You make my life fruitful in true holiness. Your Son has said that a tree is known by its fruit, and I ask that my life would bear the fruit that comes from a heart changed by Your grace.
Do not allow me to deceive myself, Lord. Keep me from false assurance, from empty profession, and from a religion that exists only in words and not in power. Search my heart and try me. Show me what I truly am, and lead me in the everlasting way.
I ask that You change my heart, for I know that good fruit cannot grow from a corrupt heart. Give me true repentance for sin, true faith in Christ, and a true love for holiness. Let these things grow in my life as evidence that I belong to You.
Lord Jesus, I ask that You abide in me and cause me to abide in You, for without You I can do nothing. Let Your life flow into my soul, that I may bear fruit for Your glory. Prune away what is sinful, dead, and unfruitful in me, and cause new obedience and new desires to grow.
Father, give me discernment to recognize what is true and what is false. Do not let me follow any path that makes the way to heaven easier than Your Word declares, but keep me in the narrow way that leads to life.
Make my life fruitful in good works, in love, in humility, in obedience, and in perseverance. Let my fruit be real, not outward only, but from the heart. Let my life be a testimony that Your grace changes sinners and makes them new.
I ask all this because I know that I cannot change myself; only You are able to change me. Work in me by Your Spirit, and make me fruitful in every good work.
In Jesus’ name I pray.
Further Scripture References Matthew 7:16-18:
Luke 6:44; Matthew 12:33; James 3:12; Psalm 1:3
[1] Joseph Bellamy, True Religion Delineated, No. 6462 (Boston: Printed and sold by S. Kneeland, in Queen-Street, 1750), 227–229.
