Good People Produce Good Fruit

"By their fruit you will recognize them.  Do people pick grapes from thorn-bushes, or figs from thistles?  Likewise every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit."  Matthew 7:16-17 (NIV)

These are the words of Jesus, The Christ, recorded by the Apostle Matthew, the tax collector, as He spoke during His Sermon on The Mount.  Jesus warned His disciples, and the crowd which had gathered around them, to watch out for false prophets who come in sheep's clothing but are actually wolves underneath.  His message was that they may not be able to recognize who they are by their appearance, but they would know them by their fruit.  Bad people, like bad trees, produce bad fruit.

The point which Jesus made is just as true today as it was back then.  All people are not who they appear to be, or pretend to be.  That applies to some of our "friends" as well as some of our leaders.  Everything that they say which may sound good, isn't good for us.  However, their wickedness will soon reveal itself.  Their lack of honesty will manifest itself in behavior which is not in keeping with their words, or with The Word of God.  Bad people do not produce the fruit of good works.  Their lifestyle and the results of their influence on others, are the fruit that will determine whether or not their words are consistent with kingdom building.  If what is being said to us, or if what we are being asked to do, does not line up with The Bible, that person may not have our best interest at heart.  The standard by which we test all things, doctrine, teaching, statements, and behavior, is The Word of God. (1 Thessalonians 5:21)  The devil can use or influence anyone, so do not believe every word that you hear, try every spirit by The Word of God. (1 John 4:1)  Good people produce good fruit, bad people don't.