Why Did Jesus Say “Ye Shall Know Them By Their Fruits”?

1. Introduction:
   1. In our world today there are a lot of people that say they are Christians, or say they are ministers of the Gospel. Which ones are truly Christian and serving God? Jesus said we can know who is truly our brother or sister by the fruits they bear.

2. Where is the Scripture Found?
   20. We’ll be looking at Matthew 7:15-20. The verse we are referring to here is Matthew 7: 16: Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?

3. Who is it that Jesus is referring to?
   1. Not everyone that says they are a Christian or even a minister is of God. Jesus warns us about that in verse 15: Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. We often hear of preachers or singers that bring inspiring messages or songs, and then later we hear of them tearing up the bible or saying they no longer believe.

4. What are the Fruits?
   1. Matthew 7:17 to 20 says “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. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.
   2. Jesus talks a lot about trees, seeds, and soil. To learn more about the fruit Jesus is talking about in our original passage, let’s look at the parable of the sower and the seed as Jesus is explaining it to His Disciples.. Matthew 13:18-23: Hear ye therefore the parable of the sower. When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side. But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it; Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended. He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful. But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.
   3. So the seed is the Word of the Kingdom, the gospel message. The message of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ.
   4. The sower is me and you. We are all called to plant seeds, to present the gospel to people we come in contact with.
   5. The good fruit Jesus is talking about in our original passage is sharing the gospel with people, and living a life of service to our Lord. We are not doing this to get into Heaven, but because we love God and are thankful for what He’s done for us.

5. How to know if someone is a true brother or sister, or a Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing? Ask yourself these questions about that person:
   1. Is the person in question sharing the Gospel in one way or another with people in need? Luke 14:23: And the Lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled.
   2. Does he or she put God and others first? Matthew 6:33: But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
   3. Philippians 2:3: Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.
   4. Is he or she a person of prayer and study of God’s Word? Philippians 4:6: e careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
   5. 2 Timothy 2:15: Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
   6. Is the person preaching the Word accurately, or leading people astray? Galatians 1:8-9: But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. As we said before, so say I now again, if any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.
6. It Sounds like you are talking about Judging. Doesn’t Jesus teach against judging others?
   1. Here is the scripture people often use. Matthew 7:1-5: udge not, that ye be not judged. For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again. And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother’s eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?  Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye? Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother’s eye.
   2. So what is Jesus saying here, that we are not to ever make a judgment call about someone ‘s spiritual condition? No. He’s telling us to check our own selves out first. Get the beam out of your own eye so you can clearly see the mote in the other person’s eye.  1 Corinthians 11:31:  For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged.
   3. We see in this next verse that God does want us to discern who is truly a servant of the Lord, and who is wicked, and actually of the enemy. It says this in 1 Corinthians 5:12-13: For what have I to do to judge them also that are without? do not ye judge them that are within? But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person.
   4. When dealing with another who is a brother but who we know to be doing wrong, the bible says this in Galatians 6:1-2: rethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.

7. How can you and I bear More Fruit?
   1. First, you must be born again before you can bear fruit. John 3:3: Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
   2. Spend time in the Word and prayer every day. Psalm 119:11: Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.
   3. Philippians 4:6: e careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
   4. Share Jesus with people you come in contact with.
   5. Submit to God’s Pruning process. John 15:2: Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.