Matthew 7:16 “You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles?”
As Jesus gives the grave warning about false prophets, He provides one of the most basic illustrations to help us know the difference between the real and the false. In Matthew 7:15 He says, “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves.” He then continues by letting us know how to determine the true heart of someone by teaching, “You will know them by their fruit.” He continues with a very common-sense question asking, “Can a man gather grapes from a thornbush or figs from thistles.” The answer of course is no. Thus, you can tell the false prophets by their fruit or lack thereof.
Look for the fruit!! Be a fruit inspector!
Just as it takes time for an apple tree to produce apples and grape vines to produce grapes one will be able to tell who really has had a changed heart by Christ. The Christian will produce the fruits of righteousness (James 3:18) and fruits of holiness (Romans 6:22) as well as there will be the fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22-23). Others will start seeing the supernatural fruit of love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control come from your life.
So, more than the question what is in your heart i ask what is coming from your heart as evil deeds come from an evil heart and good deeds from a good heart. Luke 6:45 says “A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good; And an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil. For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.”
So, look for the fruit. Be a fruit inspector.
Also, you will be known by your fruit.
Continue Strong discerning the false from the true,
And remember to DATE the Word