The fact that Jesus Himself speaks on the condition of the human heart, while equating it to a tree and its fruit, 3 different times, should reveal the importance of this matter (Luke 6:43-45, Matthew 12: 33-37, Matthew 7: 15-20). However, we will focus on the last passage.
Matthew 7:15-20
True and False Prophets
15 “Beware (watch intently for) of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing (true believers) but inwardly are ravenous wolves (non-believers). 16 You will recognize them by their fruits (Christ-like behavior). Are grapes gathered from thorn bushes, or figs from thistles? 17 So, every healthy tree (eternally living heart) bears good fruit, but the diseased tree (spiritually dead heart) bears bad fruit. 18 A healthy tree cannot bear (spiritually dead) bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear (eternally living) good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire (Hell). 20 Thus you will recognize (know beyond a single doubt) them by their fruits.
Now then, depending on the translation, in verses sixteen and twenty, we find the words KNOW or RECOGNIZE. Which would indeed indicate a judgement call on the part of the one examining the fruit. This in a call from Jesus Himself, that anyone claiming to know and follow God, could and should be examined based on their godly character and deeds. For it is this good fruit in someone’s life that shows us whether or not they are a true believer. After all, how could anyone possibly know for sure, unless a thorough examination is done on that individual? So then, Jesus is calling us to take an account of professing believer’s lives, and weigh the evidence, based on the consistent godly behavior that comes forth. It is through that examination that we can make a correct judgement call on who truly belongs to Christ and who doesn’t.
First, it is important for us to understand the Greek word and meaning of know or recognize. It is the same Greek word, epignosesthe- E-pig-nos-esthe, and it literally means-full knowledge. Which is to say, you will know who belongs to Christ beyond a shadow of a doubt, and who belongs to the world. So, understanding the Greek construction in this passage of Scripture, there will be NO question who is saved, and who is not. Take note, that Jesus doesn’t say, “You might know, or could maybe know, but that that you WILL know His disciples by the fruit they bear.”
In an overall overview of this passage in the gospel of Matthew, the Lord is by no means saying that the good tree (regenerate Christian heart) will never sin, or even that the bad tree (the unregenerate human heart) could never produce good fruit. But, that the fruit produced would be an ongoing, consistent, seasonally producing fruit. The bad tree will produce generally consistent bad fruit in the sight of God, and the good tree will produce generally consistent good fruit that is pleasing and honoring to God. And because of the consistency, one would have no questions who truly belongs to Christ and who doesn’t. One’s willingness to surrender and heed to Scripture is often the best way to gauge one’s fruit.
When gauging the bad tree (spiritually dead heart), we must understand that throughout human history many people have invented, achieved, and produced thousands of things that help humanity, cultures, educational advancements, and so forth. But, in the view of Christ in this passage, if these fruits are done for selfish gain, be it wealth, prestige, or simply not done for the glory of God, and the advancement of His kingdom, at very best, theses fruits would be considered BAD GOOD. Because they were not done for the glory of God, but for selfish or human gain. We know this because 12 times in the gospels, Jesus says, “That He came to do the will of His Father, not His own,” in order that humanity would give glory and honor to God. In short, truly good fruit, as opposed to bad good fruit, is a kingdom fruit, produced in God’s economy, for His glory alone. The reckless rebels, openly wicked, and haters of God are marked as bad fruit without saying.
When gauging the good tree (heart), the fruit is the complete opposite. That heart is all about God’s business. A heart that truly desires to glorify God in every detail of their life. And it is CLEARLY seen in the consistent Christ-like character that is produced in their lives.
Let me explain the sin that is still included in the rich harvest. In the life of a Christian, as in any rich harvest (good fruit produced), there will inevitably be a few bad fruits (sins). Whether under grown, insect infested, bruised, picked at by prey, or the like, there will always be bad fruit in an abundant harvest. It’s what we do with that bad fruit (sin) that matters most. The harvest (or sin) must be examined, and when bad fruit is found, it MUST be removed quickly, so that it doesn’t contaminate the (eternally living) good fruit. If left within the good fruit, the rich harvest will inevitably be spoiled and of no eternal use.
Go therefore, and produce eternal fruit, for the glory of Christ alone.
By Dan Rodgers