Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
Every tree that fails to bring forth good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire, picturing certain judgment and destruction for a fruitless life. It is Christ's warning to beware of false prophets who come in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravening wolves, where fruit proves whether a prophet or teacher is good or corrupt, genuine or false. The tree is the person and its fruit is words, actions, conduct and influence revealing the heart and character, so that profession, feelings, education or standing prove nothing until the life shows it genuine. Mere saying Lord, Lord, even prophesying and doing wonderful works, does not enter the kingdom, but only denying self and doing the Father's will in obedience to His commandments. Without a living, vital connection with Christ as the branch in the Vine no one can bear good fruit to God's glory, while abiding in Him with His word and Spirit within brings forth the Spirit's fruit in love, unity and Christlike service.
Wording and Immediate Setting
Every tree that fails to bring forth good fruit is cut down and cast into the fire, and this states the judgment and destruction awaiting a fruitless life. Mere profession is worthless without corresponding practice, so every believer is to become a tree of righteousness bringing forth good fruit, for everyone who fails to do so will be cut down and destroyed by fire. Fruit reveals the character of the tree, character is tested by its results, and the fate of the fruitless tree shows that a life without good fruit ends in judgment as the fruitless tree is cut down and burned. In this warning about false prophets, fruit shows what kind of tree a person is and whether a prophet is good or corrupt, since a corrupt heart cannot produce good fruit and outward productivity does not change an evil inward condition.
The verse belongs to the warning to beware of false prophets who come in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravening wolves, where fruit shows whether a prophet or teacher is good or corrupt and genuine or false. The tree represents a person and its fruit reveals that person's character, for corrupt trees produce evil fruit while good trees produce good fruit, and those who fail to bear good fruit face judgment as part of Christ's counsel to God's people in the last days concerning deception and the way that leads to life. Safety and strength come by following Christ's order and placing the feet in His footsteps instead of following one's own ideas and plans, by obeying His warnings and doing the will of His Father rather than trusting changeable men or merely saying Lord, Lord while working iniquity. A prophet is known by the fruit of teaching and conduct, since false prophets are inwardly destructive despite appearing harmless and their false teaching is evil fruit, and those who persist in corrupt practice are like trees cut down and cast into the fire. This gives a test that all may apply if they will, so none need be left in uncertainty and doubt, for there is always sufficient evidence on which to base an intelligent faith, yet God will never remove from any person all occasion for doubt, and those who turn from the weight of evidence because of a few things they cannot make plain will be left in unbelief and skepticism and will make shipwreck of faith.
The verse stands in Matthew 7 and the Sermon on the Mount, which gives the foundation principles of the kingdom of God and the conditions of entrance therein, giving a right conception of Christ's kingdom and His own character to undo the work of false education. That sermon teaches something infinitely better than men had known without making a direct attack on error and without presenting a vivid delineation of the misery and wretchedness caused by sin, leaving hearers to draw their own conclusions about the nature of the kingdom, and its truths are no less important now. The seventh chapter of Matthew with this instruction is to be studied most critically again and again by ministers and church members for their own enlightenment and doing, as for life, and not to prove supposed faults discerned in other church members. The defects exposed in those whose thoughts are absorbed with the faults of others are very serious, and unless there are decided conversions, many who think they are lights will prove to be stumbling blocks, for the work must first be done in their own hearts so they stop being mere hearers and become doers of the Word who keep God's moral law and learn the work given them to reach lost souls. Matthew 7:13-29 bids everyone to count the cost of coming after Christ, to deny self and take up the cross and follow Him, to love Him more than father or mother or son or daughter and not live a life of deception that deludes the soul, showing that entering the kingdom requires doing the will of the Father and hearing and doing Christ's sayings like a wise man who built his house upon a rock so it fell not, which calls for self-surrender, cleansing of heart, and transformation of character so life leads others to Christ.
Around the verse, every good tree brings forth good fruit and cannot bring forth evil fruit, a corrupt tree brings forth evil fruit and cannot bring forth good fruit, men do not gather grapes of thorns or figs of thistles, and by their fruits they are known. A tree is judged by the fruit it bears, and that fruit represents a person's deeds and fulfilled duties by which each person will be judged, so Christian profession or claimed faith is not the measure and living as a Christian is a sacred responsibility and not merely bearing the Christian name. The test exposes those who teach the truth yet are not doers of the Word, who greatly dishonor God and whose crooked paths turn the lame out of the way because others look up to them as Christians. Saying Lord, Lord, even prophesying, casting out devils, and doing many wonderful works in Christ's name does not enter the kingdom of heaven, for only doing the will of the Father enters, while workers of iniquity will hear I never knew you, depart from me. The same teaching is illustrated by the men who built upon the rock and upon the sand, and it belongs with the call to enter the strait gate and walk the narrow way that leads to life, which few find, while the wide gate and broad way leads to destruction where many go, warning those who have rejected great light, refuse the Word, close eyes and senses, and cherish delusion that no further evidence or miracle will be given but they will be left alone.
Fruit Reveals Inner Character
The tree is a person and the fruit discloses that person's character, heart and inward condition, separating the good from the corrupt and the genuine believer from the unbeliever. A life that does not produce good fruit faces judgment and destruction as a tree cut down and burned, for character is tested by its results and built day by day upon Christ the sure foundation. Religious profession alone is not enough, since good fruit belongs with obedience to the commandments, doing the Father's will and acting on Christ's word, while outward claims and impressive works cannot make an evil character good.
Fruit means words, actions, deeds, conduct, principles of life, influence and results, by which each person is judged and by which faith and discipleship are proved before the world. A prophet or teacher is known by the fruit of teaching and conduct, for false prophets may appear harmless while inwardly destructive, and their false teaching is evil fruit calling for rejection. Profession must be joined to good works, because words and actions are the fruit that determines the character of the tree, and if works are evil the truth testifies against the evildoers. Daily conduct inconsistent with professed faith brings reproach on the truth, and praising a minister while neglecting righteous works shows attachment to the minister rather than conversion to God. Living as a Christian is a sacred responsibility and not merely bearing the Christian name, since people are judged by deeds and fulfilled duties rather than by claim of faith.
Profession, claims, feelings, emotions, education or worldly standing do not establish character, for works measured by God's law testify to spiritual condition. A claim to sanctification or holiness is no proof until the life's fruit shows it genuine, and evil deeds expose a heart that has not been cleansed despite such profession. God judges people and their work by the fruit produced rather than by human judgments about plans or by shifting words and claims, so work that yields little good or causes harm is like a tree bearing no good fruit and fit to be cut down. The course of action reveals the character of what was sown in the heart, and the seed sown determines the harvest.
The fruit test is one all may apply if they will, so none need be left in uncertainty and doubt. Men do not gather grapes from thorns or figs from thistles, every good tree brings forth good fruit and cannot bring forth evil fruit, and a corrupt tree brings forth evil fruit and cannot bring forth good fruit, so by fruits false prophets in sheep's clothing but inwardly ravening wolves are known. There is always sufficient evidence on which to base an intelligent faith for those who sincerely seek truth and open the eyes of faith despite suggestions of doubt. Yet God will never remove from any person all occasion or cause for doubt, and those who turn from the weight of evidence because of a few things they cannot make plain will be left in unbelief and skepticism and make shipwreck of faith.
A corrupt heart cannot produce good fruit, and outward productivity does not change that inward condition. Outward claims and impressive works cannot make an evil character good, and those who work iniquity are rejected even when they appear religious. Saying Lord, Lord, even prophesying, casting out devils and doing many wonderful works does not enter the kingdom; only doing the Father's will enters, as shown also by building on the rock rather than on the sand. Those who teach truth yet are not doers greatly dishonor God, and because others look up to them their crooked paths turn the lame out of the way. Good-sounding words or claims do not prove a divine source, because even the enemy can speak truth and resemble what is genuine, while the fruit of a life shows whether the source is good or corrupt.
Judgment on Fruitless Trees
A life that does not produce good fruit faces judgment and destruction, pictured as a tree cut down and burned, for fruit reveals whether character is good or corrupt and whether one who appears religious is truly a Christian. Religious profession alone is not enough, and outward claims and impressive works cannot make an evil character good, for good fruit is linked with obedience to God's commandments, doing the Father's will, and acting on Christ's word. A claim to faith or religious work does not suffice, since the principles guiding life distinguish genuine believers from unbelievers, and deeds must follow hearing Christ's words in a life of Christlike service such as bringing good news to the meek and comforting and helping the afflicted. Those who work iniquity are rejected, and without such fruit the professing Christian is known by character and actions to bear evil's credentials rather than God's, leaving the fruitless unprepared to enter the holy city, forever lost, and unworthy of heaven.
Continued unfruitfulness in time makes separation complete, like a dead branch cut off and burned in fire, even when to outward appearance there is fellowship with Christ with houses swept and garnished and names enrolled on church books. Without a living, vital connection with Christ there can be no bearing of fruit to God's glory, for profession of piety may connect with the church while the person is not a member of His body. Those who neglect daily opportunities to serve God become fruitless and withered, like fruitless trees in the Lord's garden, and a person's actions reveal whether belonging there is real or whether harmful influence turning another from seeking God proves bad fruit fit for destruction. Outward profession, knowledge, and religious form cannot replace inward repentance and faith, so that like foliage masking barrenness under the lesson of the cursed fig tree, outward appearance without corresponding spiritual fruit leaves a person exposed to the curse. The church itself, despite great light and many opportunities, becomes like a barren fig tree when selfishness replaces love and there is no reconversion, having a name for being alive while virtually dead and bearing evil fruit instead of good.
Every tree is known by its own fruits and every person will be rewarded as works have been, for fruit represents deeds and fulfilled duties by which each is judged, and Christian profession or claimed faith is not the measure. Good fruit is denying self and sacrificing for the happiness of others rather than making the principal study to care for dear self, while those who shun burdens in temporal and spiritual matters and seek ease while others bear burdens bring forth no good fruit and unless greatly changed will not receive the reward of well-doing but will receive according as they have denied themselves and sacrificed. Living as a Christian is a sacred responsibility and not merely bearing the name, for worthless fruit shows the tree evil just as the fruit of life reveals the heart and character. Good works do not earn salvation but show a faith that works through love and purifies the soul, so that while eternal reward is not for human merit its measure corresponds to the work done through Christ's grace. The increase of talents gained by serving others is shown by fruits of service in people brought to truth who then use influence and means to help save others, and the results of a worker's labor revealing God's blessing should bring encouragement rather than harsh human control, with the faithful servant receiving reward when the Master returns.
Everyone who does not bring forth good fruit will be cut down and destroyed in fire, and the fruit test identifies false prophets in sheep's clothing who inwardly are ravening wolves, applying also to infidels and rationalists who refuse the Word, treat Christ's miracles as idle tales, reject great light and the record of past workings of power, close eyes and senses, and cherish scientific delusions. No further evidence or miracle will be given to those who have rejected great light and will not believe, but Christ leaves them alone, and the warning belongs with entering the strait gate and narrow way leading to life which few find, while the wide gate and broad way leads to destruction where many go. Profession must be accompanied with good works, for words and actions are fruit determining the character of the tree, and if works are evil the truth testifies against the evildoers. God in no wise excuses sin in an enlightened people, even if in days of faithfulness and purity He loved them and gave especial promises, for all such promises and blessings are always upon conditions of obedience. Failure to walk in the light given separates from Him, and darkness follows in proportion to light rejected, as John warned the Jews that despite claim to promises disobedience brought the threatened curse unless they bore good fruit, while near the end deceivers multiplying in false profession, corrupt mind, deceptive religion, beguiling influence, pretended purity, licentious life, refusal of the law's mirror, misinterpreted Scripture, opposition to law and Christ's teachings, and mingled error will appear at final reckoning to be hewn down and cast into fire.
The verse forms part of Christ's counsel to God's people in the last days, when the tree represents a person and corrupt trees produce evil fruit while good trees produce good. Churches near and far are warned that without deeper consecration those not bringing forth good fruit will be unprepared for the holy city and forever lost, applying to those desiring to be first and to rule who must instead be first in good works and Christian graces, and to those thinking they do the Lord's work while refusing obedience and correction, deceived by the enemy and led to destruction, since hereditary and cultivated traits unperfected will keep men out of the kingdom. Christians living in these last days must reveal the most attractive fruit in unselfish actions, as farmers exhibit not the poorest dwarfed specimens but the very best fruit, vegetables, and butter to credit their skill, so the commandment-keeping people must show the best representation of good works with words, deportment, and dress bearing best quality in Christ's traits with praise and thanksgiving. Near the close of earth's history, when everything is in confusion and minds knowing truth are stealthily confused by misleading sentiments, mere profession with saying Lord, Lord, prophesying, casting out devils, and wonderful works does not enter the kingdom but only doing the Father's will, and those living divided lives while scheming their own plans retarding Christ's work must repent and be converted or be deceived and cut down and destroyed as workers of iniquity rejected with I never knew you. The deciding line for the last days when every kind of deception is practiced is that false prophets with fair words full of selfishness, seeking gain, working at cross purposes with God and misappropriating His goods, are known by fruit, and claiming righteousness without true conversion is worthless, for no external forms even God-commanded avail without inward cleansing, outward works alone never perfecting before God, and only repentance and faith purifying the impure heart can save from destruction.
Obedience Over Mere Profession
Mere profession is worthless without corresponding practice, and good fruit means denying self, obeying all of God's commandments, doing the Father's will, and acting on Christ's words as doers and not hearers only. The fruitless tree is cut down and burned, so every believer is called to become a tree of righteousness bringing forth good fruit, with character and conduct showing whether the person belongs to Christ and is worthy to enter heaven. Outward religious claims, appearances, impressive works, or a claim to faith and religious labor cannot substitute for obedience, for fruit reveals character and deeds must follow hearing.
Saying Lord, Lord does not enter the kingdom, and even prophesying, casting out devils, and doing many wonderful works in Christ's name do not enter it; only doing the will of the Father enters. Workers of iniquity who teach truth yet are not doers of the Word greatly dishonor God, turn the lame out of the way by crooked paths, and will be rejected with I never knew you, depart from me. Outward claims and impressive works cannot make an evil character good, and the test of fruit exposes good or corrupt character, including whether one who appears religious is truly a Christian, as illustrated by building on the rock and on the sand and by the warning against false prophets in sheep's clothing who inwardly are ravening wolves.
Faith is made known, measured, and proved by the works and fruits borne in godly conduct and consistency between belief and practice, and its measure cannot be hidden because life and conduct reveal it. Actions reveal whether one is a Christian more clearly than words or profession, for as a tree is recognized by its fruit so the heart is revealed by the actions it leads a person to perform. Works are the test of character before the world and the proof of discipleship, marking those united to Christ the Living Vine as God's children by precious fruit, while God tests motives and conduct and those whose actions lack Christlike love and self-sacrifice are unfit to remain connected with Him and face condemnation.
Departing from light, neglecting duty and unfulfilled duties, cherishing pride, love of pleasure and sin, joining the selfish and worldly, following one's own wishes, and selective obedience while neglecting what God commands prove by the course taken that genuine faith is lacking and Christ has departed. Names may remain on the church record with a form of godliness, yet selfish acts, wrong words, secret sins, dissembling, careless sin, impurity, selfishness, covetousness, dishonest dealing, and conduct that harms others bear bad fruit, show the truth has not transformed the person, and leave a spotted record in heaven where every deed is chronicled in the books for judgment. Such a life is not pleasing to God, becomes a reproach to His cause and a stumbling block to sinners rather than an influence to save others, for believers must not only speak the truth but do it.
Abiding in Christ Bears Fruit
Without a living, vital connection with Christ no one can bear good fruit to the glory of God, and fruitlessness shows the absence of true membership in His body and of any real experience of God and abiding in Christ the Vine. Outward appearance of fellowship, a house swept and garnished, a name enrolled on church books, and a profession of piety connecting with the church prove nothing, for such persons may still bear no precious fruit marking them as God's children and disciples. Works reveal what kind of tree a person is and whether the connection with Christ is genuine, and continued unfruitfulness in time makes separation complete like a dead branch cut off and burned. Those not truly united to Him face condemnation as a tree hewn down and burned, and their light and privileges bring ruin rather than life.
The heart is to the Christian what the root is to the tree, invisible yet plainly revealed by its work, and outward life and character are regulated by the state of the heart from which each draws the supplies that sustain life. God's law must be present within in its far-reaching principles, for outward conduct cannot be rightly formed without this inward work, and only a life pure, sweet, peaceful and happy under the control of the Holy Spirit in communion with God shows Christ enthroned in the heart. Where Christ is not enthroned another power works no good to heart or character, and the heart not under the Spirit of God is under satanic agencies creating dissension, alienation and strife. Genuine conversion is necessary to gain eternal life, by yielding as clay in the hands of the potter to be fashioned after the likeness of Christ, with a renewed heart remaining consecrated to God, a change in disposition and character, repentance and humble Christlike fruit rather than mere profession of accepting truth. Those who belong to Christ thus show the Spirit's fruit in character and conduct, with holiness of heart, love for others, self-denial, thankfulness, praise, faithfulness in ordinary duties, gentleness, kindness, forbearance, truthfulness and Christlikeness strengthening good purposes in others.
A branch in the Vine is expected to bear good fruit matching the vine that nourishes it, so a person's work shows what the life is connected to. Abiding in Christ and having His words and Spirit within makes fruitful service possible that is pleasant and profitable, glorifies God, and proves discipleship, while the branch that does not remain withers and is cast into the fire. Fruit is the test of character before the world and the proof of discipleship, and those who bear rich, precious fruit as branches of the Living Vine show that they belong to God, whereas a tree that does not bear good fruit is recognized as corrupt and is cut down and burned.
Good fruit is patience, kindness, courtesy, forbearance, self-denial, self-control under provocation and reproaches, serenity under trying circumstances, speaking and laboring unto righteousness, and letting light shine forth in good works showing that Jesus has been learned. The Christian tree bears love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith, meekness, gentleness and self-control, with no defects remaining but every spot and wrinkle effaced and peculiar traits disappearing under the transforming power of grace upon the heart, for only a godly life is approved. This fruit is lived out in crucifying the flesh with its affections, lusts and desires, walking in the Spirit, refusing vainglory, provoking and envying, restoring one overtaken in fault in meekness, bearing one another's burdens, and not growing weary in doing good to all, especially the household of faith. True consecration, not impressive music or instruments, marks worship acceptable to God, and others judge Christian profession by whether this fruit appears in words and actions, for profession alone is nothing and a professing Christian without it is not a tree of righteousness.
The fruit of being truly connected with God and ruled by His Spirit in the heart is harmony, peace, love, unity, meekness, mercy, benevolence and kindness originating from infinite wisdom. Envy, strife, jealousy, variance, continual contradiction, division and alienation are the opposite, unholy fruit of a heart not in harmony with Jesus Christ, marking a carnal experience, the children of Satan and Satan's work. A tree is judged by its fruit and a life without good fruit faces judgment as cut down and burned, so professing to follow Christ does not settle the question and each follower must examine what fruit is borne and compare ideas of perfection of character with the Bible standard.
Testing Prophets and Teachings
False prophets and teachers are to be known and rejected by their fruits in teaching and conduct, for inward destructiveness may hide under a harmless appearance and false teaching itself is evil fruit that marks the tree for cutting down and burning. A base deceiver cannot produce unadulterated truth with sanctifying power, and persistence in corrupt practice proves the corrupt tree that faces rejection and destruction. The character of followers reveals the nature of the teaching, so that lives marked by impurity, unkindness, or dishonesty expose the bad source behind them. The same test applies to institutions doing appointed work for God, whose results show whether each is fulfilling its work as His instrument.
Published visions and testimonies are to be judged by their fruits, namely the spirit of their teaching, the results of their influence, and their endurance and strength despite opposition. They bear either God's mark or Satan's, and their fruit shows which, since a good tree cannot produce corrupt fruit and a corrupt tree cannot produce good fruit. What bears no good fruit is fit for destruction, so assessment by fruits is the right rule even for those with no personal knowledge of the visions and no sight of their influence.
Messages, doctrines, and beliefs are known by the fruit they produce in spirit and conduct. Belief in Christ's soon coming is proved good by its effects in awakening conviction of unreadiness, moving seekers to purity, strength, and grace, and producing love for Jesus and fellow Christians with joy in prayer and Bible reading, peace, and hope in His return. Genuine truth bears fruits of righteousness in gentleness, kindness, forbearance, truthfulness, and Christlikeness, while a hostile, unchristlike spirit testifies against the claim that a doctrine is genuine. Wherever present truth is accepted it brings vigor and vital energy into the church, showing hope, courage, and faith in the countenances of those who open eyes to see, understanding to perceive, and hearts to receive the great treasure. By contrast, even profession of the Sabbath and purity with clear arguments for truth is exposed as bad fruit when joined to a corrupt mind, deceptive religion, beguiling influence, pretended purity used for power, licentious life, refusal to face the mirror of God's law, misinterpretation of Scripture to sustain iniquity, opposition in action to God's law and Christ's teachings, mingling error with truth, teaching heresies, and laboring to make adultery and licentiousness appear harmless; such deceivers multiply near the end and their work will appear at the final reckoning unto cutting down and burning, so the only safety is to be rooted in all Bible truth with living connection to God in watchfulness and prayer, living near Jesus to partake of His holy character until sin appears offensive.
Ministers, preachers, and workers are tested by the fruit of souls brought into truth, general influence, and results showing God's blessing, rather than by first impressions, talk, or prayers alone. Those who scatter and confuse rather than gather and build up do not bear good fruit, and their few converts often reproduce the same deficiencies. It is right for church members to ask what their ministers have done and are doing, and preachers should show good fruit in labor and conduct before the church supports them as ministers. When results show God's blessing, harsh judgment should give way to encouragement and commendation, since human control that disregards such evidence harms both controller and controlled. Repentance itself is proved not by prayers and confessions alone but by good fruit in actions that reveal character. An influence breathing strife and dissension, with controversial, oppositional words and work that disgust unbelievers, confuse and dishearten believers, and bring moral death to church and Sabbath school, is bad fruit showing vain, unchristlike religion as a channel for Satan's spirit, unfitting a man for teacher or any religious responsibility that would endanger spiritual interests unless thorough transformation and conversion take place.
Good and Bad Fruit
Good fruit is a Christlike life of self-denial and self-sacrifice for the happiness and good of others rather than caring for and looking out for dear self, bringing good news to the meek and comforting and helping the afflicted in doing the Father's will. A tree is known by its own fruits and every person will be rewarded as works have been, so those who shun burdens in temporal and spiritual matters and seek ease while others bear burdens bring forth no good fruit and, unless greatly changed, will not receive the reward of well-doing but only as they have denied themselves and sacrificed for others. A genuine Christian is known by usefulness and not by mere outward show of godliness, growing through grace to bear fruit abundantly with no barren branch, in many forms of service at home or in foreign missions ripening under the sunshine of righteousness. God expects fruit in proportion to blessings and opportunities received, so those entrusted with His work and claiming advanced truth must show self-denial and self-sacrifice, for unfaithfulness, injustice and dishonesty fail to make Bible religion visible to the world, while divine truth produces good works, generosity and noble character and evil control produces selfishness, covetousness, pride and evil passions.
Good fruit must appear in the very best quality to God's glory, as farmers exhibiting products bring not the poorest and most dwarfed specimens but the very best and most attractive fruit, vegetables and butter to do credit to their skill. In these last days it is seen in unselfish actions, words, conduct, deportment and dress, revealing the character of commandment keepers in praise and thanksgiving and in the precious traits of Christ. It is conduct shaped by the Holy Spirit into Christ's likeness rather than a pompous, overbearing or dictatorial spirit, drawing people to Christ and uniting them in preached truth. The Spirit makes a person better in every relationship, so kindness, holiness and serious godly speech are good fruit while fretfulness, complaining, unkindness and frivolity are not, and a minister whose conduct contradicts preached truth weakens influence, fosters superficial converts and shows unfitness to shepherd until converted. The fruit marking the true tree is a life on a high holy plane in self-denial and self-sacrifice in word and act, proving the advantage of Christianity over worldliness and that received truth has made believers children of the heavenly King and channels of boundless love and mercy, proved under watching because the world watches with keen severe criticism to judge Bible religion and God and angels desire a higher purer nobler life.
Good fruit in Christian work is usefulness and abundant service, letting light burn in good works in evidence of conformity to Christ's image, leaving old habits and worldly influence, ideas and customs, and keeping oil in the vessel with the lamp. The oil is holy grace sent from heaven, and there must be inward adorning with that grace to stand when He appears, for baptism does not save without that fruit and those without good fruit have no oil and are not ready for the Bridegroom, since a burst of religious feeling does not prove conversion without changed actions and a new life. Sabbath-school work is judged by its fruits and proves whether it is real or mere pretense, its fruits being the character and work of the pupils. Good fruit is produced when Christian youth first give themselves to God and are entrusted with responsibilities to develop abilities and gain spiritual power, learning to plan and execute plans for the good of associates and seeking the company of those needing help to represent Christian character and win those not yet laborers together with God, rather than engaging in foolish conversation. The fruits of a person's work are visible evidence by which others may discern whether it leads to eternal life or death, for truly confessing Christ requires His mind and Spirit within with outward expression of grace and truth, and words or profession alone are not enough.
Bad fruit includes dishonest and unfair conduct rooted in selfishness and greed, even when occurring in religious service and covered by claims of frugality or good works, harming others and turning them from truth so that outward religious activity cannot make it acceptable. A profession of faith without obedience, shown by boastfulness, self-righteousness, boastful self-righteous speech and dishonest dealing, bears bad fruit that disgusts and repels unbelievers, for a person is known by the fruits of life in words and actions revealing whether faith is genuine. Laziness, indolence and dishonesty in handling God's goods are not good fruit, and those acting so deny Christ and fail to live by the principles of the law they profess to keep and teach. A father's dishonest trading and sharp bargains are bad fruit whose words and actions teach children he does not believe Christ is soon coming, so they follow his example and his conduct becomes a stumbling block to their salvation. Selfish, harsh and self-serving dealings are bad fruit whatever good impression first made, revealing character by conduct.
Bad fruit includes envy, strife, divisions, jealousy, faultfinding, gossip, evil speaking, tearing down character, criticism, accusation, contention, anger, malice, unkindness and harsh controlling conduct, revealing a carnal defective experience rather than growth in grace. Jealousy, faultfinding, gossip and stirring up strife are evil fruit showing Satan's attributes and that a church member is not a branch of the true vine, while evil speaking and tearing down another's character are corrupt fruit marking a corrupt tree. By the plain test of Matthew 7:16-20 is proved who is a Christian and who is fit to teach, for a man whose influence breathes strife and dissension, whose controversial oppositional words and work disgust unbelievers, confuse and dishearten believers and bring moral death to church and Sabbath school, bears bad fruit showing vain unchristlike religion and a channel for Satan's spirit. Such bad fruit unfits for the position of teacher and for any religious responsibility that would endanger spiritual interests, unless there is thorough transformation and conversion. Sport, ridicule, jokes, shameful folly, low fun and coarse jests paining serious minds who love God are bad fruit proving a bad tree, showing turning the back on Jesus, finding Him and truth disgusting, closing the door against Him, inviting Satan in and coming under his banner, desecrating a place dedicated to God, causing God's angels to turn away in sorrow and evil angels to exult, and spreading a leaven of careless mockery upon others, while the fruits of false sanctification include insubordination, pride, envy, jealousy and evil suspicions toward fellow believers exposing claimed holiness as false.
Bad fruit includes worldliness, love of pleasure, pride, vanity and show, careless mockery and jesting, trifling, flirtatious and impure conduct, and living for self, whose actions claiming to belong to God can show people harmful rather than fruitful. A church's approval of wrongdoing cannot make conduct right, just as approval cannot make a thorn produce grapes. Christians must consult Christ's standard and prayerfully learn what fruit to bear and what is right about gatherings for pleasure or sport, for superficial Christians of superficial character and experience join worldly entertainments and by influence attract others. Young men and women trying to be Bible Christians are persuaded to join, drawn into the ring and confused about right conduct from desire not to be thought singular and from naturally following example, yet these entertainments are Satan's banquet to keep souls from accepting the call to the marriage supper of the Lamb and from receiving the white robe of character which is Christ's righteousness, bringing them under the influence of those never touched divinely in heart or mind. Such trifling or impure behavior is not morally harmless but denies Christ and pollutes the soul, and those professing holiness and claiming God's promises while disregarding His commandments bear bad fruit with no sound foundation and mislead others, lacking genuine character and drawing others into choices that keep them from following Christ.
Call to Bear Fruit
Escaping the judgment of being cut down and burned requires diligent individual work for one's own salvation, doing the will of the Father, humbling the heart before God, dying to self, and giving up one's own way, will and pride in covenant with God by sacrifice, seeking the Lord with the whole heart and soul. It means placing the feet in Christ's footsteps in obedience to His warnings instead of following one's own ideas and plans or trusting changeable men, and not merely saying Lord, Lord while working iniquity. Hereditary and cultivated traits of character that are not perfected will keep men out of the kingdom, and those who desire to be first and to rule must instead be first in good works and in attaining the Christian graces. Those who think they are doing the Lord's work while refusing to obey His commandments and refusing to be corrected are deceived and led to destruction, and near the close of earth's history, when everything is in confusion and misleading sentiments stealthily confuse minds, those living divided lives who profess to serve the Lord while scheming to carry out their own plans that retard the very work Christ gave His life to accomplish must repent and be converted or be cut down and destroyed.
Mere profession is worthless without corresponding practice, and every believer is called to be a tree of righteousness bringing forth good fruit, for everyone who fails to do so will be cut down and destroyed by fire. A professing Christian who does not bear good fruit is like a tree that bears none, and others judge the profession by the fruit seen in words and actions. Patience, kindness, courtesy and the other fruits of the Spirit should appear in the life, and true believers become Christlike in character so that their conduct bears the mark of God's children and testifies that Christ is the true Teacher sent by God, distinguishing them from worldlings. Bearing such fruit requires taking root in the Word of God and growing in strength to produce the fruits of the Spirit, with self-surrender, cleansing of the heart and transformation of character so that the life leads others to Christ, and believers are privileged to be rich in good works.
Each follower must examine what fruit is borne, for the tree is judged by its fruit and the tree which bears no good fruit is cut down and burned. The question is not settled by professing to follow Christ; good fruit is harmony, peace, love and unity with the meekness of Christ, benevolence, kindness and mercy wrought in the heart by the Spirit, while variance, continual contradiction, strife, envy and jealousy are the unholy fruit of a heart not in harmony with Christ. Ideas about what constitutes perfection of character must be tested by comparing the fruit produced with the Bible standard, and works reveal the character measured by God's law while feelings and emotions do not establish spiritual standing. Good fruit is the fruit of the Spirit lived out in crucifying the flesh with its affections and lusts, walking in the Spirit, refusing vain glory, provoking and envying, restoring one overtaken in fault in meekness, bearing one another's burdens, and not growing weary in doing good to all, especially the household of faith. Preachers and teachers are especially responsible to live in harmony with Christ's words and to show good fruit in labor and conduct that proves a calling before being supported as ministers and guiding others faithfully.
The working of the Spirit and every spiritual claim must be tested by whether a person submits to God and lives by His Word, for good or bad fruit reveals character and shows whether profession is genuine. False professors are known by their fruits even when they profess the Sabbath and purity and present clear arguments for truth, and corrupt fruit includes a deceptive religion, influence used to beguile souls into sin, pretended purity as a means of power, a licentious life chosen to suit a perverse heart, refusal to bring heart and character to the mirror of God's law, misinterpreting Scripture to sustain iniquity rather than yielding sin to be pure, opposition in action to God's law and all Christ's teachings, and mingling error with truth to make adultery and licentiousness appear harmless. Souls may accept truth from the weight of evidence while misplacing confidence in the corrupt instrument, but his work will appear in the day of final reckoning unto being hewn down and cast into the fire. Since such deceivers will multiply near the end, the only safety is to be rooted and grounded in all Bible truth, to keep a living connection with God in constant watchfulness and prayer, and to live near Jesus Christ to partake of His holy and pure character so that sin appears offensive.
Every tree that fails to bring forth good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire, picturing certain judgment and destruction for a fruitless life. It is Christ's warning to beware of false prophets who come in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravening wolves, where fruit proves whether a prophet or teacher is good or corrupt, genuine or false. The tree is the person and its fruit is words, actions, conduct and influence revealing the heart and character, so that profession, feelings, education or standing prove nothing until the life shows it genuine. Mere saying Lord, Lord, even prophesying and doing wonderful works, does not enter the kingdom, but only denying self and doing the Father's will in obedience to His commandments. Without a living, vital connection with Christ as the branch in the Vine no one can bear good fruit to God's glory, while abiding in Him with His word and Spirit within brings forth the Spirit's fruit in love, unity and Christlike service.
Wording and Immediate Setting
Every tree that fails to bring forth good fruit is cut down and cast into the fire, and this states the judgment and destruction awaiting a fruitless life. Mere profession is worthless without corresponding practice, so every believer is to become a tree of righteousness bringing forth good fruit, for everyone who fails to do so will be cut down and destroyed by fire. Fruit reveals the character of the tree, character is tested by its results, and the fate of the fruitless tree shows that a life without good fruit ends in judgment as the fruitless tree is cut down and burned. In this warning about false prophets, fruit shows what kind of tree a person is and whether a prophet is good or corrupt, since a corrupt heart cannot produce good fruit and outward productivity does not change an evil inward condition.
The verse belongs to the warning to beware of false prophets who come in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravening wolves, where fruit shows whether a prophet or teacher is good or corrupt and genuine or false. The tree represents a person and its fruit reveals that person's character, for corrupt trees produce evil fruit while good trees produce good fruit, and those who fail to bear good fruit face judgment as part of Christ's counsel to God's people in the last days concerning deception and the way that leads to life. Safety and strength come by following Christ's order and placing the feet in His footsteps instead of following one's own ideas and plans, by obeying His warnings and doing the will of His Father rather than trusting changeable men or merely saying Lord, Lord while working iniquity. A prophet is known by the fruit of teaching and conduct, since false prophets are inwardly destructive despite appearing harmless and their false teaching is evil fruit, and those who persist in corrupt practice are like trees cut down and cast into the fire. This gives a test that all may apply if they will, so none need be left in uncertainty and doubt, for there is always sufficient evidence on which to base an intelligent faith, yet God will never remove from any person all occasion for doubt, and those who turn from the weight of evidence because of a few things they cannot make plain will be left in unbelief and skepticism and will make shipwreck of faith.
The verse stands in Matthew 7 and the Sermon on the Mount, which gives the foundation principles of the kingdom of God and the conditions of entrance therein, giving a right conception of Christ's kingdom and His own character to undo the work of false education. That sermon teaches something infinitely better than men had known without making a direct attack on error and without presenting a vivid delineation of the misery and wretchedness caused by sin, leaving hearers to draw their own conclusions about the nature of the kingdom, and its truths are no less important now. The seventh chapter of Matthew with this instruction is to be studied most critically again and again by ministers and church members for their own enlightenment and doing, as for life, and not to prove supposed faults discerned in other church members. The defects exposed in those whose thoughts are absorbed with the faults of others are very serious, and unless there are decided conversions, many who think they are lights will prove to be stumbling blocks, for the work must first be done in their own hearts so they stop being mere hearers and become doers of the Word who keep God's moral law and learn the work given them to reach lost souls. Matthew 7:13-29 bids everyone to count the cost of coming after Christ, to deny self and take up the cross and follow Him, to love Him more than father or mother or son or daughter and not live a life of deception that deludes the soul, showing that entering the kingdom requires doing the will of the Father and hearing and doing Christ's sayings like a wise man who built his house upon a rock so it fell not, which calls for self-surrender, cleansing of heart, and transformation of character so life leads others to Christ.
Around the verse, every good tree brings forth good fruit and cannot bring forth evil fruit, a corrupt tree brings forth evil fruit and cannot bring forth good fruit, men do not gather grapes of thorns or figs of thistles, and by their fruits they are known. A tree is judged by the fruit it bears, and that fruit represents a person's deeds and fulfilled duties by which each person will be judged, so Christian profession or claimed faith is not the measure and living as a Christian is a sacred responsibility and not merely bearing the Christian name. The test exposes those who teach the truth yet are not doers of the Word, who greatly dishonor God and whose crooked paths turn the lame out of the way because others look up to them as Christians. Saying Lord, Lord, even prophesying, casting out devils, and doing many wonderful works in Christ's name does not enter the kingdom of heaven, for only doing the will of the Father enters, while workers of iniquity will hear I never knew you, depart from me. The same teaching is illustrated by the men who built upon the rock and upon the sand, and it belongs with the call to enter the strait gate and walk the narrow way that leads to life, which few find, while the wide gate and broad way leads to destruction where many go, warning those who have rejected great light, refuse the Word, close eyes and senses, and cherish delusion that no further evidence or miracle will be given but they will be left alone.
Fruit Reveals Inner Character
The tree is a person and the fruit discloses that person's character, heart and inward condition, separating the good from the corrupt and the genuine believer from the unbeliever. A life that does not produce good fruit faces judgment and destruction as a tree cut down and burned, for character is tested by its results and built day by day upon Christ the sure foundation. Religious profession alone is not enough, since good fruit belongs with obedience to the commandments, doing the Father's will and acting on Christ's word, while outward claims and impressive works cannot make an evil character good.
Fruit means words, actions, deeds, conduct, principles of life, influence and results, by which each person is judged and by which faith and discipleship are proved before the world. A prophet or teacher is known by the fruit of teaching and conduct, for false prophets may appear harmless while inwardly destructive, and their false teaching is evil fruit calling for rejection. Profession must be joined to good works, because words and actions are the fruit that determines the character of the tree, and if works are evil the truth testifies against the evildoers. Daily conduct inconsistent with professed faith brings reproach on the truth, and praising a minister while neglecting righteous works shows attachment to the minister rather than conversion to God. Living as a Christian is a sacred responsibility and not merely bearing the Christian name, since people are judged by deeds and fulfilled duties rather than by claim of faith.
Profession, claims, feelings, emotions, education or worldly standing do not establish character, for works measured by God's law testify to spiritual condition. A claim to sanctification or holiness is no proof until the life's fruit shows it genuine, and evil deeds expose a heart that has not been cleansed despite such profession. God judges people and their work by the fruit produced rather than by human judgments about plans or by shifting words and claims, so work that yields little good or causes harm is like a tree bearing no good fruit and fit to be cut down. The course of action reveals the character of what was sown in the heart, and the seed sown determines the harvest.
The fruit test is one all may apply if they will, so none need be left in uncertainty and doubt. Men do not gather grapes from thorns or figs from thistles, every good tree brings forth good fruit and cannot bring forth evil fruit, and a corrupt tree brings forth evil fruit and cannot bring forth good fruit, so by fruits false prophets in sheep's clothing but inwardly ravening wolves are known. There is always sufficient evidence on which to base an intelligent faith for those who sincerely seek truth and open the eyes of faith despite suggestions of doubt. Yet God will never remove from any person all occasion or cause for doubt, and those who turn from the weight of evidence because of a few things they cannot make plain will be left in unbelief and skepticism and make shipwreck of faith.
A corrupt heart cannot produce good fruit, and outward productivity does not change that inward condition. Outward claims and impressive works cannot make an evil character good, and those who work iniquity are rejected even when they appear religious. Saying Lord, Lord, even prophesying, casting out devils and doing many wonderful works does not enter the kingdom; only doing the Father's will enters, as shown also by building on the rock rather than on the sand. Those who teach truth yet are not doers greatly dishonor God, and because others look up to them their crooked paths turn the lame out of the way. Good-sounding words or claims do not prove a divine source, because even the enemy can speak truth and resemble what is genuine, while the fruit of a life shows whether the source is good or corrupt.
Judgment on Fruitless Trees
A life that does not produce good fruit faces judgment and destruction, pictured as a tree cut down and burned, for fruit reveals whether character is good or corrupt and whether one who appears religious is truly a Christian. Religious profession alone is not enough, and outward claims and impressive works cannot make an evil character good, for good fruit is linked with obedience to God's commandments, doing the Father's will, and acting on Christ's word. A claim to faith or religious work does not suffice, since the principles guiding life distinguish genuine believers from unbelievers, and deeds must follow hearing Christ's words in a life of Christlike service such as bringing good news to the meek and comforting and helping the afflicted. Those who work iniquity are rejected, and without such fruit the professing Christian is known by character and actions to bear evil's credentials rather than God's, leaving the fruitless unprepared to enter the holy city, forever lost, and unworthy of heaven.
Continued unfruitfulness in time makes separation complete, like a dead branch cut off and burned in fire, even when to outward appearance there is fellowship with Christ with houses swept and garnished and names enrolled on church books. Without a living, vital connection with Christ there can be no bearing of fruit to God's glory, for profession of piety may connect with the church while the person is not a member of His body. Those who neglect daily opportunities to serve God become fruitless and withered, like fruitless trees in the Lord's garden, and a person's actions reveal whether belonging there is real or whether harmful influence turning another from seeking God proves bad fruit fit for destruction. Outward profession, knowledge, and religious form cannot replace inward repentance and faith, so that like foliage masking barrenness under the lesson of the cursed fig tree, outward appearance without corresponding spiritual fruit leaves a person exposed to the curse. The church itself, despite great light and many opportunities, becomes like a barren fig tree when selfishness replaces love and there is no reconversion, having a name for being alive while virtually dead and bearing evil fruit instead of good.
Every tree is known by its own fruits and every person will be rewarded as works have been, for fruit represents deeds and fulfilled duties by which each is judged, and Christian profession or claimed faith is not the measure. Good fruit is denying self and sacrificing for the happiness of others rather than making the principal study to care for dear self, while those who shun burdens in temporal and spiritual matters and seek ease while others bear burdens bring forth no good fruit and unless greatly changed will not receive the reward of well-doing but will receive according as they have denied themselves and sacrificed. Living as a Christian is a sacred responsibility and not merely bearing the name, for worthless fruit shows the tree evil just as the fruit of life reveals the heart and character. Good works do not earn salvation but show a faith that works through love and purifies the soul, so that while eternal reward is not for human merit its measure corresponds to the work done through Christ's grace. The increase of talents gained by serving others is shown by fruits of service in people brought to truth who then use influence and means to help save others, and the results of a worker's labor revealing God's blessing should bring encouragement rather than harsh human control, with the faithful servant receiving reward when the Master returns.
Everyone who does not bring forth good fruit will be cut down and destroyed in fire, and the fruit test identifies false prophets in sheep's clothing who inwardly are ravening wolves, applying also to infidels and rationalists who refuse the Word, treat Christ's miracles as idle tales, reject great light and the record of past workings of power, close eyes and senses, and cherish scientific delusions. No further evidence or miracle will be given to those who have rejected great light and will not believe, but Christ leaves them alone, and the warning belongs with entering the strait gate and narrow way leading to life which few find, while the wide gate and broad way leads to destruction where many go. Profession must be accompanied with good works, for words and actions are fruit determining the character of the tree, and if works are evil the truth testifies against the evildoers. God in no wise excuses sin in an enlightened people, even if in days of faithfulness and purity He loved them and gave especial promises, for all such promises and blessings are always upon conditions of obedience. Failure to walk in the light given separates from Him, and darkness follows in proportion to light rejected, as John warned the Jews that despite claim to promises disobedience brought the threatened curse unless they bore good fruit, while near the end deceivers multiplying in false profession, corrupt mind, deceptive religion, beguiling influence, pretended purity, licentious life, refusal of the law's mirror, misinterpreted Scripture, opposition to law and Christ's teachings, and mingled error will appear at final reckoning to be hewn down and cast into fire.
The verse forms part of Christ's counsel to God's people in the last days, when the tree represents a person and corrupt trees produce evil fruit while good trees produce good. Churches near and far are warned that without deeper consecration those not bringing forth good fruit will be unprepared for the holy city and forever lost, applying to those desiring to be first and to rule who must instead be first in good works and Christian graces, and to those thinking they do the Lord's work while refusing obedience and correction, deceived by the enemy and led to destruction, since hereditary and cultivated traits unperfected will keep men out of the kingdom. Christians living in these last days must reveal the most attractive fruit in unselfish actions, as farmers exhibit not the poorest dwarfed specimens but the very best fruit, vegetables, and butter to credit their skill, so the commandment-keeping people must show the best representation of good works with words, deportment, and dress bearing best quality in Christ's traits with praise and thanksgiving. Near the close of earth's history, when everything is in confusion and minds knowing truth are stealthily confused by misleading sentiments, mere profession with saying Lord, Lord, prophesying, casting out devils, and wonderful works does not enter the kingdom but only doing the Father's will, and those living divided lives while scheming their own plans retarding Christ's work must repent and be converted or be deceived and cut down and destroyed as workers of iniquity rejected with I never knew you. The deciding line for the last days when every kind of deception is practiced is that false prophets with fair words full of selfishness, seeking gain, working at cross purposes with God and misappropriating His goods, are known by fruit, and claiming righteousness without true conversion is worthless, for no external forms even God-commanded avail without inward cleansing, outward works alone never perfecting before God, and only repentance and faith purifying the impure heart can save from destruction.
Obedience Over Mere Profession
Mere profession is worthless without corresponding practice, and good fruit means denying self, obeying all of God's commandments, doing the Father's will, and acting on Christ's words as doers and not hearers only. The fruitless tree is cut down and burned, so every believer is called to become a tree of righteousness bringing forth good fruit, with character and conduct showing whether the person belongs to Christ and is worthy to enter heaven. Outward religious claims, appearances, impressive works, or a claim to faith and religious labor cannot substitute for obedience, for fruit reveals character and deeds must follow hearing.
Saying Lord, Lord does not enter the kingdom, and even prophesying, casting out devils, and doing many wonderful works in Christ's name do not enter it; only doing the will of the Father enters. Workers of iniquity who teach truth yet are not doers of the Word greatly dishonor God, turn the lame out of the way by crooked paths, and will be rejected with I never knew you, depart from me. Outward claims and impressive works cannot make an evil character good, and the test of fruit exposes good or corrupt character, including whether one who appears religious is truly a Christian, as illustrated by building on the rock and on the sand and by the warning against false prophets in sheep's clothing who inwardly are ravening wolves.
Faith is made known, measured, and proved by the works and fruits borne in godly conduct and consistency between belief and practice, and its measure cannot be hidden because life and conduct reveal it. Actions reveal whether one is a Christian more clearly than words or profession, for as a tree is recognized by its fruit so the heart is revealed by the actions it leads a person to perform. Works are the test of character before the world and the proof of discipleship, marking those united to Christ the Living Vine as God's children by precious fruit, while God tests motives and conduct and those whose actions lack Christlike love and self-sacrifice are unfit to remain connected with Him and face condemnation.
Departing from light, neglecting duty and unfulfilled duties, cherishing pride, love of pleasure and sin, joining the selfish and worldly, following one's own wishes, and selective obedience while neglecting what God commands prove by the course taken that genuine faith is lacking and Christ has departed. Names may remain on the church record with a form of godliness, yet selfish acts, wrong words, secret sins, dissembling, careless sin, impurity, selfishness, covetousness, dishonest dealing, and conduct that harms others bear bad fruit, show the truth has not transformed the person, and leave a spotted record in heaven where every deed is chronicled in the books for judgment. Such a life is not pleasing to God, becomes a reproach to His cause and a stumbling block to sinners rather than an influence to save others, for believers must not only speak the truth but do it.
Abiding in Christ Bears Fruit
Without a living, vital connection with Christ no one can bear good fruit to the glory of God, and fruitlessness shows the absence of true membership in His body and of any real experience of God and abiding in Christ the Vine. Outward appearance of fellowship, a house swept and garnished, a name enrolled on church books, and a profession of piety connecting with the church prove nothing, for such persons may still bear no precious fruit marking them as God's children and disciples. Works reveal what kind of tree a person is and whether the connection with Christ is genuine, and continued unfruitfulness in time makes separation complete like a dead branch cut off and burned. Those not truly united to Him face condemnation as a tree hewn down and burned, and their light and privileges bring ruin rather than life.
The heart is to the Christian what the root is to the tree, invisible yet plainly revealed by its work, and outward life and character are regulated by the state of the heart from which each draws the supplies that sustain life. God's law must be present within in its far-reaching principles, for outward conduct cannot be rightly formed without this inward work, and only a life pure, sweet, peaceful and happy under the control of the Holy Spirit in communion with God shows Christ enthroned in the heart. Where Christ is not enthroned another power works no good to heart or character, and the heart not under the Spirit of God is under satanic agencies creating dissension, alienation and strife. Genuine conversion is necessary to gain eternal life, by yielding as clay in the hands of the potter to be fashioned after the likeness of Christ, with a renewed heart remaining consecrated to God, a change in disposition and character, repentance and humble Christlike fruit rather than mere profession of accepting truth. Those who belong to Christ thus show the Spirit's fruit in character and conduct, with holiness of heart, love for others, self-denial, thankfulness, praise, faithfulness in ordinary duties, gentleness, kindness, forbearance, truthfulness and Christlikeness strengthening good purposes in others.
A branch in the Vine is expected to bear good fruit matching the vine that nourishes it, so a person's work shows what the life is connected to. Abiding in Christ and having His words and Spirit within makes fruitful service possible that is pleasant and profitable, glorifies God, and proves discipleship, while the branch that does not remain withers and is cast into the fire. Fruit is the test of character before the world and the proof of discipleship, and those who bear rich, precious fruit as branches of the Living Vine show that they belong to God, whereas a tree that does not bear good fruit is recognized as corrupt and is cut down and burned.
Good fruit is patience, kindness, courtesy, forbearance, self-denial, self-control under provocation and reproaches, serenity under trying circumstances, speaking and laboring unto righteousness, and letting light shine forth in good works showing that Jesus has been learned. The Christian tree bears love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith, meekness, gentleness and self-control, with no defects remaining but every spot and wrinkle effaced and peculiar traits disappearing under the transforming power of grace upon the heart, for only a godly life is approved. This fruit is lived out in crucifying the flesh with its affections, lusts and desires, walking in the Spirit, refusing vainglory, provoking and envying, restoring one overtaken in fault in meekness, bearing one another's burdens, and not growing weary in doing good to all, especially the household of faith. True consecration, not impressive music or instruments, marks worship acceptable to God, and others judge Christian profession by whether this fruit appears in words and actions, for profession alone is nothing and a professing Christian without it is not a tree of righteousness.
The fruit of being truly connected with God and ruled by His Spirit in the heart is harmony, peace, love, unity, meekness, mercy, benevolence and kindness originating from infinite wisdom. Envy, strife, jealousy, variance, continual contradiction, division and alienation are the opposite, unholy fruit of a heart not in harmony with Jesus Christ, marking a carnal experience, the children of Satan and Satan's work. A tree is judged by its fruit and a life without good fruit faces judgment as cut down and burned, so professing to follow Christ does not settle the question and each follower must examine what fruit is borne and compare ideas of perfection of character with the Bible standard.
Testing Prophets and Teachings
False prophets and teachers are to be known and rejected by their fruits in teaching and conduct, for inward destructiveness may hide under a harmless appearance and false teaching itself is evil fruit that marks the tree for cutting down and burning. A base deceiver cannot produce unadulterated truth with sanctifying power, and persistence in corrupt practice proves the corrupt tree that faces rejection and destruction. The character of followers reveals the nature of the teaching, so that lives marked by impurity, unkindness, or dishonesty expose the bad source behind them. The same test applies to institutions doing appointed work for God, whose results show whether each is fulfilling its work as His instrument.
Published visions and testimonies are to be judged by their fruits, namely the spirit of their teaching, the results of their influence, and their endurance and strength despite opposition. They bear either God's mark or Satan's, and their fruit shows which, since a good tree cannot produce corrupt fruit and a corrupt tree cannot produce good fruit. What bears no good fruit is fit for destruction, so assessment by fruits is the right rule even for those with no personal knowledge of the visions and no sight of their influence.
Messages, doctrines, and beliefs are known by the fruit they produce in spirit and conduct. Belief in Christ's soon coming is proved good by its effects in awakening conviction of unreadiness, moving seekers to purity, strength, and grace, and producing love for Jesus and fellow Christians with joy in prayer and Bible reading, peace, and hope in His return. Genuine truth bears fruits of righteousness in gentleness, kindness, forbearance, truthfulness, and Christlikeness, while a hostile, unchristlike spirit testifies against the claim that a doctrine is genuine. Wherever present truth is accepted it brings vigor and vital energy into the church, showing hope, courage, and faith in the countenances of those who open eyes to see, understanding to perceive, and hearts to receive the great treasure. By contrast, even profession of the Sabbath and purity with clear arguments for truth is exposed as bad fruit when joined to a corrupt mind, deceptive religion, beguiling influence, pretended purity used for power, licentious life, refusal to face the mirror of God's law, misinterpretation of Scripture to sustain iniquity, opposition in action to God's law and Christ's teachings, mingling error with truth, teaching heresies, and laboring to make adultery and licentiousness appear harmless; such deceivers multiply near the end and their work will appear at the final reckoning unto cutting down and burning, so the only safety is to be rooted in all Bible truth with living connection to God in watchfulness and prayer, living near Jesus to partake of His holy character until sin appears offensive.
Ministers, preachers, and workers are tested by the fruit of souls brought into truth, general influence, and results showing God's blessing, rather than by first impressions, talk, or prayers alone. Those who scatter and confuse rather than gather and build up do not bear good fruit, and their few converts often reproduce the same deficiencies. It is right for church members to ask what their ministers have done and are doing, and preachers should show good fruit in labor and conduct before the church supports them as ministers. When results show God's blessing, harsh judgment should give way to encouragement and commendation, since human control that disregards such evidence harms both controller and controlled. Repentance itself is proved not by prayers and confessions alone but by good fruit in actions that reveal character. An influence breathing strife and dissension, with controversial, oppositional words and work that disgust unbelievers, confuse and dishearten believers, and bring moral death to church and Sabbath school, is bad fruit showing vain, unchristlike religion as a channel for Satan's spirit, unfitting a man for teacher or any religious responsibility that would endanger spiritual interests unless thorough transformation and conversion take place.
Good and Bad Fruit
Good fruit is a Christlike life of self-denial and self-sacrifice for the happiness and good of others rather than caring for and looking out for dear self, bringing good news to the meek and comforting and helping the afflicted in doing the Father's will. A tree is known by its own fruits and every person will be rewarded as works have been, so those who shun burdens in temporal and spiritual matters and seek ease while others bear burdens bring forth no good fruit and, unless greatly changed, will not receive the reward of well-doing but only as they have denied themselves and sacrificed for others. A genuine Christian is known by usefulness and not by mere outward show of godliness, growing through grace to bear fruit abundantly with no barren branch, in many forms of service at home or in foreign missions ripening under the sunshine of righteousness. God expects fruit in proportion to blessings and opportunities received, so those entrusted with His work and claiming advanced truth must show self-denial and self-sacrifice, for unfaithfulness, injustice and dishonesty fail to make Bible religion visible to the world, while divine truth produces good works, generosity and noble character and evil control produces selfishness, covetousness, pride and evil passions.
Good fruit must appear in the very best quality to God's glory, as farmers exhibiting products bring not the poorest and most dwarfed specimens but the very best and most attractive fruit, vegetables and butter to do credit to their skill. In these last days it is seen in unselfish actions, words, conduct, deportment and dress, revealing the character of commandment keepers in praise and thanksgiving and in the precious traits of Christ. It is conduct shaped by the Holy Spirit into Christ's likeness rather than a pompous, overbearing or dictatorial spirit, drawing people to Christ and uniting them in preached truth. The Spirit makes a person better in every relationship, so kindness, holiness and serious godly speech are good fruit while fretfulness, complaining, unkindness and frivolity are not, and a minister whose conduct contradicts preached truth weakens influence, fosters superficial converts and shows unfitness to shepherd until converted. The fruit marking the true tree is a life on a high holy plane in self-denial and self-sacrifice in word and act, proving the advantage of Christianity over worldliness and that received truth has made believers children of the heavenly King and channels of boundless love and mercy, proved under watching because the world watches with keen severe criticism to judge Bible religion and God and angels desire a higher purer nobler life.
Good fruit in Christian work is usefulness and abundant service, letting light burn in good works in evidence of conformity to Christ's image, leaving old habits and worldly influence, ideas and customs, and keeping oil in the vessel with the lamp. The oil is holy grace sent from heaven, and there must be inward adorning with that grace to stand when He appears, for baptism does not save without that fruit and those without good fruit have no oil and are not ready for the Bridegroom, since a burst of religious feeling does not prove conversion without changed actions and a new life. Sabbath-school work is judged by its fruits and proves whether it is real or mere pretense, its fruits being the character and work of the pupils. Good fruit is produced when Christian youth first give themselves to God and are entrusted with responsibilities to develop abilities and gain spiritual power, learning to plan and execute plans for the good of associates and seeking the company of those needing help to represent Christian character and win those not yet laborers together with God, rather than engaging in foolish conversation. The fruits of a person's work are visible evidence by which others may discern whether it leads to eternal life or death, for truly confessing Christ requires His mind and Spirit within with outward expression of grace and truth, and words or profession alone are not enough.
Bad fruit includes dishonest and unfair conduct rooted in selfishness and greed, even when occurring in religious service and covered by claims of frugality or good works, harming others and turning them from truth so that outward religious activity cannot make it acceptable. A profession of faith without obedience, shown by boastfulness, self-righteousness, boastful self-righteous speech and dishonest dealing, bears bad fruit that disgusts and repels unbelievers, for a person is known by the fruits of life in words and actions revealing whether faith is genuine. Laziness, indolence and dishonesty in handling God's goods are not good fruit, and those acting so deny Christ and fail to live by the principles of the law they profess to keep and teach. A father's dishonest trading and sharp bargains are bad fruit whose words and actions teach children he does not believe Christ is soon coming, so they follow his example and his conduct becomes a stumbling block to their salvation. Selfish, harsh and self-serving dealings are bad fruit whatever good impression first made, revealing character by conduct.
Bad fruit includes envy, strife, divisions, jealousy, faultfinding, gossip, evil speaking, tearing down character, criticism, accusation, contention, anger, malice, unkindness and harsh controlling conduct, revealing a carnal defective experience rather than growth in grace. Jealousy, faultfinding, gossip and stirring up strife are evil fruit showing Satan's attributes and that a church member is not a branch of the true vine, while evil speaking and tearing down another's character are corrupt fruit marking a corrupt tree. By the plain test of Matthew 7:16-20 is proved who is a Christian and who is fit to teach, for a man whose influence breathes strife and dissension, whose controversial oppositional words and work disgust unbelievers, confuse and dishearten believers and bring moral death to church and Sabbath school, bears bad fruit showing vain unchristlike religion and a channel for Satan's spirit. Such bad fruit unfits for the position of teacher and for any religious responsibility that would endanger spiritual interests, unless there is thorough transformation and conversion. Sport, ridicule, jokes, shameful folly, low fun and coarse jests paining serious minds who love God are bad fruit proving a bad tree, showing turning the back on Jesus, finding Him and truth disgusting, closing the door against Him, inviting Satan in and coming under his banner, desecrating a place dedicated to God, causing God's angels to turn away in sorrow and evil angels to exult, and spreading a leaven of careless mockery upon others, while the fruits of false sanctification include insubordination, pride, envy, jealousy and evil suspicions toward fellow believers exposing claimed holiness as false.
Bad fruit includes worldliness, love of pleasure, pride, vanity and show, careless mockery and jesting, trifling, flirtatious and impure conduct, and living for self, whose actions claiming to belong to God can show people harmful rather than fruitful. A church's approval of wrongdoing cannot make conduct right, just as approval cannot make a thorn produce grapes. Christians must consult Christ's standard and prayerfully learn what fruit to bear and what is right about gatherings for pleasure or sport, for superficial Christians of superficial character and experience join worldly entertainments and by influence attract others. Young men and women trying to be Bible Christians are persuaded to join, drawn into the ring and confused about right conduct from desire not to be thought singular and from naturally following example, yet these entertainments are Satan's banquet to keep souls from accepting the call to the marriage supper of the Lamb and from receiving the white robe of character which is Christ's righteousness, bringing them under the influence of those never touched divinely in heart or mind. Such trifling or impure behavior is not morally harmless but denies Christ and pollutes the soul, and those professing holiness and claiming God's promises while disregarding His commandments bear bad fruit with no sound foundation and mislead others, lacking genuine character and drawing others into choices that keep them from following Christ.
Call to Bear Fruit
Escaping the judgment of being cut down and burned requires diligent individual work for one's own salvation, doing the will of the Father, humbling the heart before God, dying to self, and giving up one's own way, will and pride in covenant with God by sacrifice, seeking the Lord with the whole heart and soul. It means placing the feet in Christ's footsteps in obedience to His warnings instead of following one's own ideas and plans or trusting changeable men, and not merely saying Lord, Lord while working iniquity. Hereditary and cultivated traits of character that are not perfected will keep men out of the kingdom, and those who desire to be first and to rule must instead be first in good works and in attaining the Christian graces. Those who think they are doing the Lord's work while refusing to obey His commandments and refusing to be corrected are deceived and led to destruction, and near the close of earth's history, when everything is in confusion and misleading sentiments stealthily confuse minds, those living divided lives who profess to serve the Lord while scheming to carry out their own plans that retard the very work Christ gave His life to accomplish must repent and be converted or be cut down and destroyed.
Mere profession is worthless without corresponding practice, and every believer is called to be a tree of righteousness bringing forth good fruit, for everyone who fails to do so will be cut down and destroyed by fire. A professing Christian who does not bear good fruit is like a tree that bears none, and others judge the profession by the fruit seen in words and actions. Patience, kindness, courtesy and the other fruits of the Spirit should appear in the life, and true believers become Christlike in character so that their conduct bears the mark of God's children and testifies that Christ is the true Teacher sent by God, distinguishing them from worldlings. Bearing such fruit requires taking root in the Word of God and growing in strength to produce the fruits of the Spirit, with self-surrender, cleansing of the heart and transformation of character so that the life leads others to Christ, and believers are privileged to be rich in good works.
Each follower must examine what fruit is borne, for the tree is judged by its fruit and the tree which bears no good fruit is cut down and burned. The question is not settled by professing to follow Christ; good fruit is harmony, peace, love and unity with the meekness of Christ, benevolence, kindness and mercy wrought in the heart by the Spirit, while variance, continual contradiction, strife, envy and jealousy are the unholy fruit of a heart not in harmony with Christ. Ideas about what constitutes perfection of character must be tested by comparing the fruit produced with the Bible standard, and works reveal the character measured by God's law while feelings and emotions do not establish spiritual standing. Good fruit is the fruit of the Spirit lived out in crucifying the flesh with its affections and lusts, walking in the Spirit, refusing vain glory, provoking and envying, restoring one overtaken in fault in meekness, bearing one another's burdens, and not growing weary in doing good to all, especially the household of faith. Preachers and teachers are especially responsible to live in harmony with Christ's words and to show good fruit in labor and conduct that proves a calling before being supported as ministers and guiding others faithfully.
The working of the Spirit and every spiritual claim must be tested by whether a person submits to God and lives by His Word, for good or bad fruit reveals character and shows whether profession is genuine. False professors are known by their fruits even when they profess the Sabbath and purity and present clear arguments for truth, and corrupt fruit includes a deceptive religion, influence used to beguile souls into sin, pretended purity as a means of power, a licentious life chosen to suit a perverse heart, refusal to bring heart and character to the mirror of God's law, misinterpreting Scripture to sustain iniquity rather than yielding sin to be pure, opposition in action to God's law and all Christ's teachings, and mingling error with truth to make adultery and licentiousness appear harmless. Souls may accept truth from the weight of evidence while misplacing confidence in the corrupt instrument, but his work will appear in the day of final reckoning unto being hewn down and cast into the fire. Since such deceivers will multiply near the end, the only safety is to be rooted and grounded in all Bible truth, to keep a living connection with God in constant watchfulness and prayer, and to live near Jesus Christ to partake of His holy and pure character so that sin appears offensive.