David J Supporter

Matthew 7:16,17 is where Jesus spoke about this - he said that such ones would be recognized by their "fruit". In other words by the things they "produce" in their life. The things they DO, and the things they SAY.
In Galatians Chapt 5 verse 19, we have listed some negative fruit. - Things people do - but then in Verse 22 we have some positive "fruit" or traits that make a person Christ like and pleasant.
Jesus said we should try and cultivate these... love, kindness etc.

May 19 2018 • 1 response • Vote Up • Share • Report

Aurel Gheorghe Supporter

Sometimes it is difficult to distinguish truth from error, especially today when we receive so many conflicting messages delivered to us via many different media. 

But this is not a new problem - in Matthew 7:15-20 Jesus was warning us to be on guard for people trying to deceive us. The only way to recognize the good from bad is by their fruits. And Paul in Galatians 5:19-23 is telling what these fruits are. 

"To the law and to the testimony! If they do not speak according to this word, it is because there is no light in them" (Isaiah 8:20 NKJV) – also see 1 John 4:1-6.

May 20 2018 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Jeffrey Johnson Supporter

How do I know the difference between a person coming to me from God or the devil?

How can I tell where a person is coming from, such as someone who seems holy but then changes their ways and constantly emits negative vibes?

Galatians 6:7: "Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap."

Regarding true and false worshippers, Jesus Christ told his followers: "Never do people gather grapes from thorns or figs from thistles, do they?"

Read, Matthew 7: 15-20: "Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly are ravening wolves. 16 By their fruits ye shall know them. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? 17 Even so, every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but the corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. 19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire."

As the fruit of a tree identifies it, so the results of human actions identify the kind of people who produce them. Jesus Christ, the Founder of Christianity, pointed this out. He said, "Therefore, by their fruits ye shall know them."

Jesus founded true Christianity as a good tree. It could not, therefore, produce the rotten fruits of fanaticism. 

The fruits of the disciples' work included the fruitage of God's spirit​—"love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, faith, mildness, self-control."​—Galatians 5:22, 23.

The apostle Paul indicated that the time would come when imitation Christians would appear. They would bear the name Christian but not live up to it or produce its good fruits. He told elders from Ephesus: "I know that after my departing, grievous wolves shall enter in among you, not sparing the flock; 30 and from among your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them."

God teaches true Christians, and by following God's Word, they produce the fruits of Christianity in their lives; thereby, true worshippers are recognised by their fruits, or works. 

These fruits​—self-sacrificing love, the desire to sanctify God's name, to tell others about God's Kingdom, [Matt 28: 19-20] plus, separateness from the world, and faith in the Bible—​all characterise true worshippers.

2 days ago • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report