How Jesus Teaches Us to Tell Good from Bad by Their “Fruits”
When you hear the phrase “strange fruit” in a biblical context, especially in Matthew 7:16-20 (KJV), it’s not talking about literal fruit like apples or oranges. Instead, it’s a metaphor—a way of using simple, everyday ideas to teach something deeper about people and their actions. In this passage, Jesus is explaining an important lesson about how to spot who is genuinely good and who is not, especially when it comes to religious teachers and leaders.
What Does “You Will Know Them by Their Fruits” Mean?
Jesus says, “You will recognize them by their fruits.” Here, “fruits” means the results or outcomes that come from someone’s life—like their actions, behaviors, and the impact they have on others. Just like you can tell a healthy tree from a sick one by looking at the fruit it produces, you can tell whether a person (or their teachings) is good or bad by what comes out of their life.
Looking Beyond Appearances
Jesus warns that some people may look good on the outside, just like some trees might have pretty leaves or flowers. But that doesn’t mean their fruit is good. In other words, it’s not enough to listen to what someone says or how they present themselves; it’s their actions and the results of those actions that truly show their character.
Spotting False Prophets
In these verses, Jesus is telling his followers to watch out for “false prophets”—people who pretend to speak for God but are really misleading others. These people might talk a good game and seem spiritual, but if you look at the “fruit” they produce (their actions, the effects of their teachings), you’ll see whether they’re truly from God or not. Bad “fruit” (like selfishness, dishonesty, or hurtful behavior) means something is wrong with the source.
What Are “Fruits” in Everyday Life?
- Actions and Behavior: Is this person kind, honest, and loving? Or are they selfish, mean, or deceitful?
- Results of Their Teaching: Do their teachings help people become better and more caring? Or do they cause confusion, harm, or division?
- Consistency: Is their good behavior a regular pattern, or is it just for show?
Judging by Fruits—Not Just Words
Jesus teaches that words alone aren’t enough. Even someone who sounds holy can be hiding wrong motives or beliefs. Looking at consistent actions over time is the reliable test. Just as you wouldn’t judge a tree by its leaves but by its fruit, judge a person’s or a teacher’s value by what their life actually produces.
Why This Matters
- Discernment: It helps us avoid being misled by people who put on a good front but don’t have good intentions.
- Protecting the Community: When people know how to spot good or bad “fruit,” they can keep themselves and others safe from harmful influences.
- Encourages Genuine Faith: Jesus wants his followers to focus on living out their faith every day, not just talking about it.
Practical Takeaway
If you want to know what someone is really like—or if you want to see if a teaching or leader is trustworthy—don’t just listen to fancy words or be impressed by outward appearances. Instead, pay attention to what grows out of their life. Are they helping others? Are their actions consistent with kindness, honesty, and justice? Or do their actions cause harm or confusion? The real test, Jesus says, is in the “fruit.”
Conclusion
In summary, the biblical idea of “strange fruit” in Matthew 7:16-20 is a simple way to teach a deep truth: what comes out of a person’s life reveals who they really are. Good people, grounded in truth and love, produce good “fruit.” Those who are corrupt or false, no matter how nice they may seem, eventually show their real character through their actions. Jesus calls us to use wisdom and pay attention to the results—not just the surface—when figuring out who to trust and follow.
Minister A Francine Green
September 2025
afrancinegreen.com 