Day 160
Today we are going to begin to look at fruit; not apples or oranges but spiritual fruit. Matthew 7:16 says: "Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?" Jesus is giving us clear direction on how to view things not directly covered in the Bible. When you are not sure about some one or some thing, don't rush to judgment. Instead look at the fruits and eventually what you need to know about the situation will become obvious.
The Barnes New Testament Commentary explains the verse as follows: " He gives the proper test of their character. Men do not judge of a tree by its leaves, or bark, or flowers, but by the fruit which it bears. The flowers may be handsome and fragrant; the foliage thick and green; but these are merely ornamental. It is the fruit that is of chief service to man; and he forms his opinion of the nature and value of the tree by their fruit. So of pretensions to religion. The profession may be fair; but the conduct--the fruit in the eye of the world--is to determine the nature of the principles." The short translation of the verse is that talk is cheap but your actions tell me the truth about what you believe.
We must know that fruit is something that is seen with the eyes. You can see an apple or an orange and so can others see our fruit. I can tell the type of tree by the fruit it gives. In the spiritual it is the same; I can tell the inside by the fruit I see. This is a good day to examine your fruit. What type of fruit are you bearing? Is it sweet like an apple or is it sour? The great news is that if your fruit is bad, you can sow some good seeds today and begin a new harvest tomorrow.
The Barnes New Testament Commentary explains the verse as follows: " He gives the proper test of their character. Men do not judge of a tree by its leaves, or bark, or flowers, but by the fruit which it bears. The flowers may be handsome and fragrant; the foliage thick and green; but these are merely ornamental. It is the fruit that is of chief service to man; and he forms his opinion of the nature and value of the tree by their fruit. So of pretensions to religion. The profession may be fair; but the conduct--the fruit in the eye of the world--is to determine the nature of the principles." The short translation of the verse is that talk is cheap but your actions tell me the truth about what you believe.
We must know that fruit is something that is seen with the eyes. You can see an apple or an orange and so can others see our fruit. I can tell the type of tree by the fruit it gives. In the spiritual it is the same; I can tell the inside by the fruit I see. This is a good day to examine your fruit. What type of fruit are you bearing? Is it sweet like an apple or is it sour? The great news is that if your fruit is bad, you can sow some good seeds today and begin a new harvest tomorrow.
