"Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them."

Matthew 7:13-20 "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:

Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. 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."

I read these verses in my devotions today and thought I'd share what the Lord impressed upon me in our "Monday Meditation" post.

Have you ever gone to pick an apple off your tree and found a lemon instead? I think not! Every tree is made to produce after its own kind. Once saved by the blood of Christ, we are "new creatures in Christ" as 2 Cor. 5:17 states, and we are to produce "fruit" that reflects Christ and His attributes. Obviously we are still sinners, but as the verse says above we will be known by our fruit.

Now, I'm not talking about fruit that you eat - apples, oranges, peaches, kiwis, but rather the other definition of fruit - "Result; outcome:"

The verses above are very serious, they talk about how that the way of true Bible salvation is a narrow road and FEW there be that find it!! That tells me that there are a lot of false prophets out there proclaiming their version of "truth". Keep in mind that even if you have 90% of something, you still DON'T have it!!
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:

Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.
These verses are to cause us to really think, to examine our life, and to ask ourselves if we have fruit that is the "result and outcome" of true life-changing salvation. Because there are FEW there be that find it!

The Bible says that whether the fruit is good or corrupt, you'll know it. You'll know where someone is coming from by the "fruit" they display in their lives. Many people will condemn others for "judging", but the Bible says to judge righteously, examining the fruit of ones life. For as the verse above states - you WILL know them by their fruit.

This is a very powerful principle, and a sobering one at that! The Bible is ALWAYS true, and is faithful to convict our hearts! May I challenge you to examine your life and ask yourself what kind of fruit YOU produce?

~Lauren