Fruit: Foundation and the Fool - Part One

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. Wherefore by theirfruits ye shall know them. - Matthew 7:15-20 (KJV)

When it comes down to desserts are you a cake person or a pie person? I am happy to say that I am a proud pie person! Specifically peach or blackberry pie please! So naturally when you need fruit for your pie of choice you have to choose with a degree of discernment. You have to officially promote yourself to fruit inspector. If you are a poor fruit inspector you will have a poor looking and poor tasting pie!

In our text, the Lord uses this same principle to emphasize the importance of discernment. First, the Good Shepherd offers a warning to His flock, telling us that there are wolves among us masquerading as ministering sheep. He indicates that He does not want us to be dumb sheep but instead, sheep with a good dose of discernment. Second, He provides us with a key to identifying these wolves. The Lord said that we would know them by their fruits, which translates to works, deeds and actions.

It is indeed true when the Lord declares that out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. Too often many are captivated by a person’s clever and catchy communications, smooth, slick sentences and mesmerized by their motivational speeches and become blind to the blatant blasphemy displayed by their words and actions.

Join me again next week when we further investigate how we can be discerning disciples of the Most High God!

Not a Sermon But a Thought,

PBKSR