Bad Fruit

Matthew 7:15-20

Common English Bible (CEB)

15 “Watch out for false prophets. They come to you dressed like sheep, but inside they are vicious wolves. 16 You will know them by their fruit. Do people get bunches of grapes from thorny weeds, or do they get figs from thistles? 17 In the same way, every good tree produces good fruit, and every rotten tree produces bad fruit. 18 A good tree can’t produce bad fruit. And a rotten tree can’t produce good fruit. 19 Every tree that doesn’t produce good fruit is chopped down and thrown into the fire.20 Therefore, you will know them by their fruit.

Lately I have been thinking about bad fruit. Mainly because as usual I have been having trouble with people in the ministry (HA! I didn't say bible study). This one person that at first appeared to know Abba. He spoke of being filled with the Spirit of God, gave me Christian DVD's, listened to some of my favorite ministers, they had a form of godliness. Early on I did notice that they had a bad habit of vicious gossiping, and putting others down, especially those that have not yet received Christ fully in the ministry. That did put a check in my spirit, but I have a tendency to override the initial warning trying not to be judgmental.

The person seemed kind, but still heavy in bondage to alcohol. That should have gave me a clue, but again I didn't want to judge because I know that some of God's people need deliverance and healing. This person even gave me several drunken prophecies. I told my sister about them and she reminded me of several bible prophets. Isaiah was naked, Jeremiah was a crybaby, John the baptist eat locus and honey. So once again I went into override. Then the Holy Spirit spoke and said, "You will know them by there fruit."

One time I was in the market and I was buying the green seedless grapes. I had chosen the brand I normally get from California. Then my eye spotted a different brand. They were round, and fat much larger then the ones I had, and they were from Mexico. I quickly put the bag I had back and chose the big pretty round ones. I will never forget the bitterness of those grapes. As soon as I bit into one, my eyes squinted closed and my face scrunched; as if I had just bit into a lemon. They were ridiculously sour.

Bad fruit!

I realize that's gossip, accusation, unforgiveness, slander, and self-righteousness is just plain ole bad fruit. It's bitter fruit. If the fruit of the spirit is love, peace, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control, joy, patience and kindness which all pertain to our actions and character then all else is bad fruit. I'm finally getting what Abba meant by our fruit. What are we producing? We can't call ourselves followers of Christ and have bitter fruit. If we have no love for our neighbors we're liars and the truth is not in us. During these next several days of awe I plan on examining myself to see what sort of fruit I'm producing and repenting of any bad fruit I may have. I taught on Yom Teruah the other day. The Feast of trumpets-the time the ancient Israelite taught the books would be opened. I read Rev 20:12 and realized there are "books," beside the book of life.

Revelation 20:12New International Version (NIV)

12 And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life. The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books.

We're being recorded! What's in your book?

Fearless