“By their fruit you will recognize them” (Mt. 7:16).
When Jesus begins to bring closure to his Sermon on the Mount, he warns his listeners of coming false prophets. He describes them as wolves in sheep’s clothing. Then he changes metaphors and calls us to be fruit inspectors. He wants us to examine, not only the fruit itself, but also the source of the fruit. Like going through a grocery store, before you buy what they’re selling you’re running quality control on your purchase – bruising and level of ripeness. Jesus also calls for common sense, certain trees may look like they should produce fruit, but they don’t. Just because a plant produces something, and even if it looks right, doesn’t mean the “fruit” is good for you or tastes good. Then he adds, check out the tree itself because if it’s rotten it won’t produce anything of value. Cut it down and burn the wood (Mt. 7:16-20).
Jesus applies his imagery to his contemporary situation. Many call on the name of the Lord, but the Lord will not recognize them. Countless who do call are also able to perform incredible works like prophesying, exorcisms and various other miracles. Jesus says that just because they can do these wonderful and incredible things, doesn’t mean God is with them (Mt. 7:21-23).
Herein lies our struggle. We’re so enamored by the power of the “Spirit”, we’re willing to discount all the other evidence to the contrary. We stop inspecting whether the fruit actually exists in that person’s life. Does that person prophesy or perform miracles without any evidence of Jesus in their life? Do those people wax eloquently the very words we want to hear without any indication that they walk their talk? Sometimes it seems we’re so desperate to have our way we’re willing to compromise the very integrity of the gospel for our own agenda.
Two snapshots of this dilemma surfaces in Scripture. The first is when King Saul is in hot pursuit of David, and is intending to kill him. God has abandoned Saul, and in fact has allowed an evil spirit to dwell in him (1 Sam. 18:10). When he locates David, he finds him with Samuel, so he sends his men to retrieve him. Three times. And in each incident his men are overcome by the Spirit and begin prophesying (i.e. possibly praising God). So Saul takes matters into his own hands, and when he encounters Samuel, he’s dropped to the ground in prophesying (i.e. possibly praising God). As the people witness the actions of the king, they wondered if “. . . Saul was also among the prophets?” (1 Sam. 18:24c). Saul was not a prophet. The moment was God’s way of stepping in to prevent David’s harm. So just because the King of Israel finds himself prophesying and praising God doesn’t mean his life is lined up with God. In fact, Saul is not someone to look to for God’s redemption.
The other story comes from Acts 16 when Paul was in Philippi. A girl, possessed by a demon and a victim of trafficking, spoke truth about Paul and Silas. She followed them throughout the town shouting, “These men are servants of the Most High God, who are telling you the way to be saved” (Act. 16:17). But her life betrayed her words, so Paul cast the demon out of her. For Paul, the one who spoke the truth was just as important as the words used in declaring truth.
Jesus does not define his terms when it comes to “fruit,” nor does he tell us what the wolf will actually do once he’s invaded the fold, the imagery of very self-evident. He expects us to connect the dots. If Jesus’ opening words (5:3-11) have any bearing fruit, then the ones with spiritual power and words are driven by true humility, not pride. Remorsefulness of sin is the burden weighing on them; they neither brag nor dismiss their sin. A power fueled by God and not by self is present. They have a passionate pursuit of God’s righteousness and not their own self-righteousness. Generous mercy overspills their lives. A purity of heart is evident by words and actions. They seek peace first. Finally, because of their lives lining up with God, they accept character assassination as Jesus endured.
So before we give too much credence and credibility to a human who speaks the right words with an overabundance of charisma, implementing some discretion might be worth the time. It’s biblical to make sure their lives actually reflect the one they’re speaking for and about. Jesus calls us to accountability as fruit is produced from our trees. It’s not being judgmental, it’s quality control.
Soli Deo Gloria!
(i.e. only God is glorified!)