Happy Lords Day Everyone!
From Some Christians You Hear,
?I Can Be a Fruit Inspector or Judge Another?
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This question is from the Lord Jesus Christ’s words,
Matthew 7:20:
“Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.”
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Some folks think they have the power and right to practice what they call “Fruit Inspecting” ?or Judging,
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They think that means going around and looking to inspect others and evaluating their alleged “Christian” service/works. If there is little to no performance, little to no spirituality, they conclude that the person is not saved or backslide. ?
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Unfortunately, Matthew 7:20 is used to justify such a practice.
Is Matthew 7:20 being correctly applied?
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It is always helpful to look at the context of any verse with which we are struggling. We start with Matthew verse 15 and move through to verse 20:
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. [20] Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.”
Who is the “them” of verse 16? Or verse 20?
Why, it is the “false prophets” of verse 15! The “fruit” here, as the context demands, is not deeds or actions but rather doctrine or teaching!
False prophets appear good but the content of their message exposes them as evil. A corrupt tree, or a false teacher, manufactures wrong information; a good tree, or a godly teacher, brings forth good information. They have an outward form of religion, but it is false religion. While claiming to be serving God, students of the Word, they are about to put His Son to death. They love quoting Moses but have staunchly rejected the Messiah whom Moses predicted would come to them. After all, remember it was these religious leaders who conspired to bring about, and later demanded, Christ’s crucifixion! They even joined in mocking Him as He hung there!
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False teachers deceived which ultimately lead to two particular unfortunate events found in the Bible, Christ’s rejection and death on Calvary, and the rise of Antichrist (counterfeit Messiah). Since Israel did not want the true Christ, God says He will judge her by giving her the false one! This is yet future.
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SHOULD WE BE So-Called “FRUIT INSPECTORS”
IF SO IN WHAT SENSE?
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Is it in proper context to inspect fruit, but “fruit” in Matthew 7:15-20 is in the sense of doctrine being taught? Even today, we should evaluate what we hear in church, at Bible study, prayer service, et cetera. A careful examination of messages/sermons will reveal to us who are the false teachers. It is our responsibility not to tell everyone every little thing that he or she is doing wrong in life but rather recognize and uncover incorrect teaching.
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While millions of church members are currently scrutinizing the lives of others, condemning them for sinful behavior. They believe every word their preacher or priest says, but they do not engage in personal Bible reading and study to see what God’s Word says. Unfortunately for them, they do not have good spiritual sense (discernment) to notice they are feasting on unhealthy, rotten fruit!
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May they and we follow the wise examples below of people not blindly listening to spiritual leaders but carefully comparing the message preached with the Bible written!
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“And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews. These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so” Acts 17:10-11
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“Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple” Romans 6:17-18
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“If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness; he is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strife’s of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmising’s, perverse disputing’s of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself” 1st Timothy 6:3-5
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Try Not to Judge Others,
Rather Always Love and Support Them,
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Beloved, let us love one another:
For love is of God;
And every one that loveth is born of God,
And knoweth God. 1st John 4:7
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Judge not, that ye be not judged.
For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.
Matthew 7: 1,2