By their fruits

Ever wondered about a person’s true character? I’m sure most of us have, yet, we too are flawed as human beings that we do not in ourselves alone have the ability to test people and their true nature. Jesus said in Matthew 7:16, “You will know them by their fruits.” This verse is often cited to identify sincere believers based on their actions and character.

The Bible also uses fruit for all types or symbolism, from people to characteristics. In Matthew 7:16, Jesus’ sermon on the mount reveals the importance of the heart and inward purity, as the result of this is outward righteousness. In the sermon, Jesus also warns his people of wolves in sheep’s clothing – the kind of people who look harmless and loving on the outside but are inwardly driven by selfishness and pride. It is precisely because of these inward motives that Jesus tells us to pay attention to their actions or their “fruit.”

Good trees bear good fruit, as Jesus says, and bad trees bear bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit and, on the other hand, a bad tree will never bear good fruit. That in itself is how the character of a person can be described, as the deeds of a person reveal their true nature. A tree will always produce according to its nature and so will good or bad people. And just like a tree, we recognize people by their actions.

Paul teaches us in Galatians 5:22-23 that the fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. The apostle Paul uses fruit as a metaphor – just like how good trees bear good fruit. So what happens when a person bears good fruit? The Bible tells us that a man’s godly character is a result of the Christlike spirit that comes from within, which in turn, also blesses others, just like a good fruit does.

Thus, as we continue to pray, fast and watch what’s happening in our country and around the world, confusion often leads us to believe that there is no more hope for us in the future, yet, if we know the fruits, if we really take a closer look and watch with discerning eyes, we, by God’s grace and wisdom, will be able to test the spirit and be sure not to be led off course. For this reason, we must make sure, beginning with ourselves, to produce good fruit that is genuinely transformed by God’s presence. As a result of this, we eventually overcome the corrupt hearts that produce evil deeds.

The story of Josiah the king struck me the other day as I was contemplating on my topic in this week’s column. I learned from our one-week prayer and fasting at church that Josiah’s urgency to seek God’s guidance truly reveals so much about leadership. Josiah was a boy who became king at eight years old and as a leader, he came to God broken and surrendered. He chose God’s way even when it was hard or unpopular. Because of this, at the young age of 26, he led a spiritual reform that changed the nation.

What hope indeed God gives to those who put Him first and, just like Josiah the king, young as he may have been, his conviction to return to God became the renewed hope for future generations, where humility and obedience opened the door for restoration. In the end, we learn from the story of the boy king Josiah, that the fruits we should bear are the essence of Christ’s character. We must all desire to grow in it.