“If The Fruit Is Bad The Tree Is Bad”

Matthew 7:16-20

Bad is defined as not good in any manner or degree; having a wicked or evil character; dangerous; unhealthy; hurtful.

Jesus warns that not everyone who calls Him Lord and claims to have worked in His name will enter the kingdom of heaven. Jesus instructed His disciples about the importance of bearing good fruit. He also talked about the need for them to recognize the type of people they were dealing with by evaluating the type of fruit those people bear. He simplified the concept by explaining: “Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit” lIn an orchard, there might be some trees that are not fully good or fully bad, but in Jesus’ analogy, there are only two kinds of spiritual trees. He is not saying that the bad spiritual tree might not appear in its leaves or buds to be good, but that the end result is always bad. Jesus explained that not bearing any fruit is not an option: “Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire” Before Jesus crucifixion, He talked to the disciples about the way for them to continue bearing good fruit. In John 15:1-5 it says; “I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit. You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.”

I come by this evening to let you know the Holy Spirit, working in our minds, produces the fruit of righteousness. The word encourages us to examine ourselves and to beware of self-deception. We must be sure we are producing good fruit. Be bless and I love you!!! JE