Every Tree Is Known by Its Fruit

This is one of the simplest and most striking truths of life that Jesus Himself has spoken. And it absolutely cannot be contradicted. Not a single good tree bears bad, or rotten, fruit. All sin is rotten fruit.

An excellent example of such rottenness is mentioned in Matthew 12, verse 37: Judging others (instead of yourself)! This is exactly the same as criticizing others—which is only a more modern expression for the very same thing. Seen in God’s light, these fruits are unmistakable evidence that the tree is rotten or evil. The end result of such an evil habit can be that you have judged or criticized so extremely much that you end up condemning yourself. Rom. 2:1. Slander is also rottenness, or evil, and is undeniable proof that the tree is bad. Jesus said that such fruit cannot grow on a good tree. John, the beloved apostle of love and truth, was the most severe of all. The strongest words we have on this point are as follows: “He who sins is of the devil.” 1 John 3:8. Unfortunately, most people are incredibly superficial; they do not take God’s Word seriously to heart; they are in a deep sleep. Here we can apply the word, “Awake, you who sleep . . . and Christ will give you light.” Let it be so! Amen.