Matthew 7:13-18 KJV
13 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:
14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.
15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.
16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?
17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.
Jesus teaches us clearly in these versus that the road or path that we take in this life determines what happens to us when we die.
Regarding the wrong path, He says wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to hell, and destruction. He couldn’t have made it clearer. And unfortunately, many will decide to take this path.
On the other hand, strait (meaning small) is the gate and narrow is the way that leads unto life. Unfortunately, Christ says few in comparison to the other path, will find it.
Further, we must be on guard, for along our journey there will be false prophets which undoubtedly steer us toward the wide gate that leads to destruction.
They won’t be recognizable by their words, which will flow like milk and honey. They won’t be recognizable by their appearance as they will come in “sheep’s clothing.” However, Jesus says that inwardly they are ravening wolves.
So How Do We Recognize Them?
So, how do we recognize these false prophets? They may be in the form of pastors, teachers or friends. How are we to be on guard against them?
Jesus says very simply, “Ye shall know them, by their fruits.”
Yes, we are to become fruit inspectors!
The world is full of charlatans and snake oil salesmen who will proclaim just about anything in order to benefit themselves. And these same type people are found trying to work their “magic” on the church of our Lord.
There have been many who have sang beautiful songs and given wonderful testimonies, who actually didn’t mean a word of it. They were good actors and profiting financially.
There have been many who could preach or teach a beautiful lesson, but inwardly were “far away” from God. They too were good actors.
Remember what Jesus taught us about the Pharisees? Jesus said that outwardly they looked clean and righteous in both their appearance and words, but their hearts were far from God. Jesus called them hypocrites.
“Ye shall know them by their fruits” is how we are to gauge those who teach or preach to us, as well as anyone else in our small circle of the world.
Appearances can and often are deceiving. One can appear to be moral, smart and convincing. One can appear to be “righteous” and heartfelt in their words. A former TV evangelist is just one that comes to mind.
Jesus says “we will know them by their fruits.” In other words what we see evident in someone’s daily life, or the results of their work for the Lord, will show us what is in their heart.
Paul explains further about the “good” fruit as follows.
Galatians 5:22-23 KJV
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
Don't Be Deceived! You Will Know Them by Their Fruits
As a fruit inspector, we are not to come to conclusions on shallow things such as appearance, speech or intelligence. Satan can come in all of these forms.
Rather we are to use our judgement of “fruit” carefully, looking for any form of immorality, greed, or other sinful actions.
John 7:24 Amplified Bible, Classic Edition
24 Be honest in your judgment and do not decide at a glance (superficially and by appearances); but judge fairly and righteously.
Jesus tells us that we are to look at what comes from their teaching and from their lives.
He admonishes us to be “fruit inspectors” to see if their words, actions, deeds and everyday lives match what they claim to be.
Time and “fruit” will ultimately prove what they truly are.
As Jesus taught, grapevines only produce grapes. If the grapevine does not produce grapes, it is not a grapevine at all, or it is a diseased plant.
Likewise, truly devout Christians, teachers and preachers will live lives whereby all will see Christ in them in all they do.
If you do not see Christlikeness in Christians or Christian leaders, take notice and beware.
It is THIS simple. “Ye shall know them, by their fruits.”
RVH