You May Know The Tree, By It's Fruit

How do I know?

This is a question that comes up every now and then. It comes in many forms, but in essence, it is the same question. How do I know?

How do I know I'm in the right Church?
How do I know that the Child of God talking to me, IS a Child of God?
How do I know I AM a Child of God?

The Answer is the same to all versions of this question. It is an answer that Jesus Himself gave us. It is a pretty simple one, and one easy to understand.

"You will know them by their fruits."

Pretty easy concept, is it not. He was talking about False Prophets. He was talking about false Religions. He even told us that these fakers would rise. He said this.

"Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles? Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Therefore by their fruits you will know them." {Matthew 7:15-20}

If you want an Apple, do you go to an Orange Tree? If you want an Orange, do you go to a Mango Tree? There are many plants out there that produce poisonous fruit. Don't ever eat Horse nettle Tomatoes, Or Holly Berries. It will not turn out good. Why did Jesus tell us this?

"For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect." {Matthew 24:24}

What Jesus is talking about here is Religion and Religious Leaders. Remember this exchange between Jesus and the Religious Leaders of His day?

"Then came together unto him the Pharisees, and certain of the scribes, which came from Jerusalem. And when they saw some of his disciples eat bread with defiled, that is to say, with unwashen, hands, they found fault.

For the Pharisees, and all the Jews, except they wash their hands oft, eat not, holding the tradition of the elders. And when they come from the market, except they wash, they eat not. And many other things there be, which they have received to hold, as the washing of cups, and pots, brasen vessels, and of tables. Then the Pharisees and scribes asked him, Why walk not thy disciples according to the tradition of the elders, but eat bread with unwashen hands?

He answered and said unto them, Well hath Esaias prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written, This people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me. Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men, as the washing of pots and cups: and many other such like things ye do. And he said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition." {Mark 7:1-9}

How do I know I'm in the right Church?

First, how did you find that Church? Were you invited by a friend of family member? Did you just decide to walk in? Was there a draw to it. A nudge, or pull of the Spirit? Second, Pray about it. Ask God if this is the Church you should be a part of? Third, and the most obvious, what does the Church DO? Is it merely a place to go to "Hear the Word?" Or is it a Church that actually DOES something. Are they feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, setting captives free? What fruit do they produce?

You see, just like the Natural World, there is fruit in the Spirit Realm. There are good fruit and bad fruit. Fruit that can nourish and assist in life giving benefits, and poisonous fruit that can, and will, lead to death.

"Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God."

Now we could do a Seventeen Part Series just on the Works or, fruit, of the flesh. For today, I'm sure you can understand why any of these will cause destruction and death in your life. However, there are good fruit..

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law." {Galatians 5:19-23}

How do I know if the Child of God I'm talking to, is actually a Child of God? What are they producing? What do they say, vs, what do they do? Jesus told us that we may eat whatever we want. We can even eat with unwashed hands. This may make us sick, but it does not defile us. Jesus put it this way..

"There is nothing from without a man, that entering into him can defile him: but the things which come out of him, those are they that defile the man. If any man have ears to hear, let him hear. 

And when he was entered into the house from the people, his disciples asked him concerning the parable. And he saith unto them, Are ye so without understanding also? Do ye not perceive, that whatsoever thing from without entereth into the man, it cannot defile him; Because it entereth not into his heart, but into the belly, and goeth out into the draught, purging all meats?

And he said, That which cometh out of the man, that defileth the man. For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness: All these evil things come from within, and defile the man." {Mark 7:15-23}

So what is Jesus telling us. He tells us that the bad fruit, the works of the flesh, come from the Heart of a Man. They are as natural to Mankind as Holly Berries are to the Holly Plant. God recognized this before and following the Flood when He made this statement..

"And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. And it repented the Lord that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart." {Genesis 6:5-6}

Then after...

"And the Lord smelled a sweet savour; and the Lord said in his heart, I will not again curse the ground any more for man's sake; for the imagination of man's heart is evil from his youth; neither will I again smite any more every thing living, as I have done." {Genesis 8:21}

So evil is our way. The flesh produces Sin. Without a full conversion, a renewing of the Heart and Mind, Mankind will never produce anything else. It is only by the Blood of The Christ, through accepting the Spirit of Adoption that can only come through accepting Jesus's sacrifice for us, that we can even hope to produce the Fruit of the Spirit.

Remember, the Devil knows God. He knows Jesus. He can quote the Bible Chapter and Verse. He was there when it was written. Does this mean He produces good fruit? Does this mean he is Saved? Does this mean He does good works? Of course not. Therefore,

"Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world." {1 John 4:1}

How do I know if I am a Child of God? First, Do you know Jesus as your Savior? Have you been adopted into the Family of God? If not, say this Prayer. Right now. Wherever you may be. Say it in your own words, and do not doubt in your heart. God will hear you. He will send the Spirit of Life to you. Let us Pray..

"Oh heavenly Father, Lord God. I am a sinner. I know this. I know there is nothing I can do to change that. But I know you can. I accept Jesus's sacrifice for me. I repent my sins. Please send the Spirit of Adoption into my life. Help me to get to know the real you. Save me. Please. In the name of Jesus, Amen!"

That's it. It really is that simple. Now go tell someone what you have just done. "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved." {Romans 10:9} You need to find a Church that God leads you to, and be Baptized the way Jesus said to be. You are now a Child of God. A new Creature. You "have put off the old man with his deeds, and have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him." {Colossians 3:10}

Now what are you, or what are you going to produce. See, being a Child of God is NOT a Day a Week, and hour to two hours, if you feel like going. It is NOT, singing Hymns, praising God, and going Home. It is NOT Claiming Jesus, that makes you a Child of God. It is you LIVING for Him. It is a 24-7 relationship with God. It is producing good fruit. It is Sowing the Seed, Telling the Truth, and showing the way.

What kind of Tree are you? Check your Fruit..

If you want to contact me, or comment, question, give testimonials, or just say "Hi," the Email is opntalk@gmail.com

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen. {2 Corinthians 13}

Until next time, be Blessed, be a Blessing, and Jesus IS Lord..