Scripture Focus: “Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.” — Matthew 7:20
What Does “You Will Know Them by Their Fruit” Mean?
Jesus said we would know people by their fruit. In simple words, this means we should look at what people produce with their lives. Words matter, but actions often tell the truth. A person, leader, church, or movement may say the right things, but we must ask: Do their actions show love, mercy, truth, humility, and justice? Or do they create fear, pride, division, and harm?
Faith and Politics Must Be Tested by Scripture
In America, faith and politics have been tied together for a long time. Many people care deeply about their beliefs and want their country to honor God. That desire can be sincere. But we must always remember that no political party, leader, or movement is above the Word of God. Everything must be tested by the fruit it produces.
Jesus did not say we would know His followers by how loud they are, how powerful they become, or how many arguments they win. He said we would know them by their fruit. Galatians 5:22-23 tells us that the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
Division Is Not the Fruit of Christ
One of the troubling fruits we see today is division. Some people use faith to separate people, stir up fear, or make others feel less worthy. But Jesus called us to love our neighbor, not to hate or look down on them. In Mark 12:31, Jesus said, “Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.”
When faith is used to attack immigrants, ignore racial injustice, shame the poor, or turn people against one another, we have to ask if that fruit looks like Jesus. Christ came to save, heal, restore, and reconcile. He said in John 13:35, “By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.”
Power Without Humility Is Dangerous
Another fruit we must examine is the desire for power. Power is not wrong when it is used to serve others. But when power becomes more important than truth, humility, and righteousness, it becomes dangerous. Jesus showed us a different way. He said in Matthew 20:26 that whoever wants to be great must become a servant.
When Christian leaders excuse wrong behavior just because someone helps their political side, it weakens the witness of the church. The world is watching. People want to know whether Christians care more about winning elections or following Jesus. Micah 6:8 reminds us that God requires us to “do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly” with Him.
Money Is Not the Measure of God’s Favor
Some teachings today make it sound like faith is mainly about becoming rich, successful, and comfortable. But Jesus did not promise that following Him would make us wealthy. He warned us not to serve money. In Matthew 6:24, Jesus said, “Ye cannot serve God and mammon.”
The Bible does not teach that poor people are forgotten by God or that rich people are always more blessed. Jesus cared deeply for the poor, the sick, the rejected, and the overlooked. James 2:5 reminds us that God has chosen the poor of this world to be rich in faith.
What Good Fruit Should Look Like
Good fruit looks like love, mercy, justice, humility, truth, and compassion. It looks like feeding the hungry, caring for the stranger, visiting the sick, helping the poor, and making peace. Jesus said in Matthew 25:40 that whatever we do for “the least of these,” we do for Him.
Where Do We Go From Here?
If any movement claims to speak for Jesus, it should welcome honest examination. We should ask: Does this movement make people more loving? Does it protect the vulnerable? Does it tell the truth? Does it produce peace? Or does it produce fear, pride, cruelty, greed, and division?
A Moment to Reflect
This is not only about one political group or one church group. It is also about each of us. We all need to look at our own fruit. Are we becoming more like Christ? Are we more loving, patient, kind, and truthful? Are we standing for justice, or are we simply following the crowd?
There is still hope. Many believers are working for justice, caring for creation, serving the poor, welcoming the stranger, and seeking racial healing. These are the kinds of fruits that reflect the heart of Jesus. These are the fruits worth growing.
Final Thoughts
Jesus gave us a simple test: look at the fruit. Not the slogans. Not the speeches. Not the labels. Look at what is being produced. If the fruit is love, mercy, truth, humility, justice, and peace, it reflects the Spirit of God. But if the fruit is fear, greed, cruelty, pride, and division, then we must be honest enough to say it does not look like Christ.
May we all ask God to help us bear good fruit in our lives, our churches, our communities, and our nation. May our faith be more than words. May it be seen in love, justice, humility, and compassion. As Jesus said in Matthew 7:20, “By their fruits ye shall know them.”
Minister A Francine Green, August 2026