Heed The Watchmen

By Their Fruits Ye Shall Know Them

            Almost every Christian has heard the verse; “Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.” Matthew 7:20 Many people then isolate this verse, and claim that an individual or organization is godly because of a good work they have done. Actually, this would be just another way of saying that the end justifies the means. As followers of Christ, the means that we use to achieve a goal is more important. See Psalms 127:1 for clarity!

            When taken with the rest of scripture, however, the Godly meaning becomes clear. First, we can directly look at this passage—taking in the surrounding verses that also apply here. We should take verses 16-23 in clarifying the concept of verse 20.

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. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. Matthew 7:16-23

            Emphasis needs to be on the tree (v. 17&18) that is bearing the fruit. Certainly the individuals referred to in verses 21 and 22 had some good-looking works, or spiritual “fruit”. Yet they were rejected, and never knew Christ as they should have.

            The original sin in the Garden of Eden is a great example of observing the tree, instead of the fruit. God identified that tree (Genesis 2:17) which man was not to touch; confirmed again by the woman in Genesis 3:3. After the serpent beguiled her by his words, check out Genesis 3:6:

And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat. Genesis 3:6

            She found the tree to have “good” fruit, it was pleasant to look at, and desirable. The outer appearance seemed terrific—but God had identified the tree as a no touch item! Just a side note for accuracy; God’s instructions about the tree, given to Adam in Genesis 2:17, were merely not to eat the fruit of it; nothing was said about a punishment for touching it. It seems that the woman was adding to God’s Words, which is a key step in disobedience. We need to use the Lord’s discernment to evaluate the “trees” we may run into each day. How do we discern? Let the Holy Spirit guide you into the Word of God. Verses 24-27 of Matthew chapter seven tell us the same:

Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:  And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock. And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand:  And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it. Matthew 7:24-27

            This is why it is so vital to know and believe Jesus, The Word of God. New bible versions are only a counterfeit of the truth, and will ultimately tear down your faith. Please wee our section on The Word of God, to understand more on why the King James Bible alone is the true Word of God.

            I Corinthians 13:1-3 is similar to the verses in Matthew seven. It tells us that the outer works are not always an accurate record of what’s inside a person. (I Samuel 16:7)

            Remember also that a kingdom divided against itself can not stand.

But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, This fellow doth not cast out devils, but by Beelzebub the prince of the devils. And Jesus knew their thoughts, and said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand:  And if Satan cast out Satan, he is divided against himself; how shall then his kingdom stand?    Matthew 12:24-26

            An example would be Mel Gibson producing the movie, The Passion of the Christ. Though this may seem like a good work, the fruit produced can only be evil! Mel Gibson is Catholic, and is openly vile in the movies he makes. Vulgarity, lies, murder, and adultery are all strongly promoted within those films. So what does Satan want to accomplish here? Catholicism is not true Christianity. It is a works—based salvation system, whose members try to earn favor with God and the Catholic Church. Through this movie, Mel Gibson became even more filthy rich than before! This wealth also spilled into the coffers of the Vatican, promoting ecumenical ties favorable to Catholicism. Mr. Gibson was trying to secure heaven by his works; reducing time he will spend in the imaginary purgatory of the Catholic system.

            If you are a true believer who has seen this movie, you now know the truth behind it. God will be merciful for what was done in ignorance. Believe the Word of God, and realize the truth we spoke of in Matthew 12:24-26. Satan will not cast out Satan:  therefore, Mel Gibson was not doing a work of God!

            Some of you will no doubt declare that this movie still did much good for the cause of Christ—wrong! Any time a film like this is produced, it adds and diminishes from the Word. This is strictly forbidden! (Deuteronomy 4:2, Proverbs 30:5,6, and Revelation 22:18,19) “…A corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.” If you are truly saved, you did not lose your salvation from watching The Passion of the Christ, but neither could anything helpful be added! If what God has supplied us with through His Word and Holy Spirit is not enough for you, then there are serious problems within. Do not deny Jesus by trying to defend your actions! Repent, learn, and grow.

            Also, at times a new ministry will start, and show great growth in numbers. We accept that it is successful because it is of God. Again I would ask you to take a closer look, while comparing that ministry’s teachings with God’s Word. II Corinthians 4:11 states,

For we which live are alway delivered unto death for Jesus' sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh. II Corinthians 4:11

            Consider the following example, as well. In Acts chapter two, the disciples were filled with the Holy Ghost (Acts 2:4). When Peter spoke, three thousand were saved! But look at chapter seven, concerning Stephen. In Acts 6:5 and 7:55, Stephen is also reported to be full of the Holy Ghost. Yet him they stoned to death!

            This is an important lesson we should remember; that the outer appearance doesn’t really measure what is within. Whether or not something is successful in the eyes of men does not mean that God considers it the same way.

            Determining what is good or bad fruit is often fairly obvious. Yet discerning the condition of the tree isn’t always so easy. Especially very new believers in Christ will often yet have some pretty unsavory fruit. With such as these, if you continue to observe you will doubtless observe some good fruit.

            Yet lately God has been showing me another phenomenon regarding fruit. At times I will come across a seasoned believer that holds to a doctrine that is (or, which I consider to be) unbiblical. This usually comes about from years of improper teaching, so that the person has really been conditioned to only consider certain scriptures in the light of how they have been taught. I can readily testify that I have seen such a thing at work in my own life, so I can understand its presence in others, as well. This type believer will evidence good fruit, but what of the other?

            We see from scripture that not even a good tree will only bring forth good fruit (I Corinthians 3:10-15). It will bring forth some good fruit, or else it would be lost (John 15:2). So what should we think, then, about “bad doctrine”? The Lord showed me an example of a real tree. Yes, an apple tree will bring forth good apples to eat, but they will not all be good. Outside forces act upon the “fruit”, and some of it is corrupted; it is corrupted by disease, or various insects/parasites attacking it. It is obviously still a good tree, and you may freely eat of the good fruit, while avoiding the bad. Perhaps the Lord will grant that person more light on the subject in the future, or He may not. That wisdom is in God’s hands. We are fit together in the body of Christ, each having separate functions. And our walk in Christ is, in the end, one of faith.

WARNING:  To avoid Satan’s snares and deceptions, return to the pure Word of God; which is the King James Bible. Revised translations are not small word alterations meant to bring clarity! Major doctrinal changes have occurred, which will tend to bring doubt and destroy your faith. To follow these new “versions” of the truth, is to build your spiritual house upon sand, and become as the ones reflected in Matthew 7:21-23. Please use this entire passage, Matthew 7:21-27.

            Satan means to deceive you into sincerely following his alternate “truth.” You are really being set up to fall, and serve the antichrist.

            Pray and seek God diligently in this matter; for time is short. See also our Word of God section and the section on A Sure Salvation vs. Eternal Security.