The Truth of the Fruit
“Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit…Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them†(Matthew 7:17-20).
The above statements told by Jesus are very simple to comprehend on a physical level. However, He was presenting the “fruit test†as an analogy to convey spiritual truth. Just as a tree can be positively identified by the product that it yields, so is one’s true nature and character revealed by his attitude and conduct.
Overlook, for a moment, the intrinsic simplicity of this concept and consider the following truths of nature. A coconut tree cannot produce bananas, and vice versa. While they look similar in many respects during the non-fruit bearing season, as soon as they start producing fruit the difference is obvious. A Spirit-led person cannot bring forth evil fruit (that which is carnal or sinful). It is just as impossible as a coconut tree producing bananas. An individual who believes himself to be “good†or “holy†or “saved†yet produces attitudes and conduct contrary to the principles of God’s Word is, in reality, a hypocrite who deceives himself.
Just as nature teaches us that a coconut tree will always produce coconuts, a Spirit-led individual will always produce the “fruit of the Spirit†which is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness and temperance (Galatians 5:22-23). Contrariwise, if a professing Christian does not produce the “fruit of the Spirit†he does not actually possess what he thinks or claims.
