“A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus you will recognize them by their fruits.” (Matthew 7:18–20, ESV)
As Jesus was teaching the crowds in the early days of His ministry, the words above were spoken. Jesus was using a parable to describe the spiritual life. He explained that just as a “healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit” (Matthew 7:18). On the surface, some who heard Jesus that day may have thought He was teaching about tree growing or planting or harvesting. Actually, Jesus was explaining an important aspect about the spiritual life.
Good and bad trees are known for their fruit. Good trees bear good fruit. Bad, or diseased, trees bear fruit that is unsuitable or inedible or non-existent. Fruit trees that do not produce edible fruit suitable for nutritious intake are not fulfilling their purpose. Non-productive trees are just taking up room that could be used for healthy trees with nutritious fruit. Jesus mentioned that trees that do not bear fruit are normally “cut down and thrown into fire” to make way for the replanting of healthy trees. All this talk of trees may look like a conversation about plants. Instead, Jesus is alluding to the spiritual life, spiritually healthy souls, and diseased souls.
After explaining the fruit tree analogy, Jesus summed up his parable with the following words: “Thus, you shall recognize them by their fruits” (Matthew 7:20). You can recognize a tree with rotten or diseased fruit. It is not edible. The diseased soul is also easy to recognize. It will not produce good deeds. It will not inspire others to do good things. In likewise manner, you can recognize a good tree bearing good fruit. Its fruit is nutritious and perfect for sustaining life. The healthy soul does the same. It bears spiritual fruit that engenders good deeds and a holy life. That healthy soul will produce great spiritual fruit with the best seeds, suitable for years of growth, regrowth, and harvesting. “You will recognize them by their fruits” (Matthew 17:20).
Using a fun example, David Jeremiah explained Jesus’ meaning in these scriptures with his own style of wit:
“You drive up to a local roadside produce market with your heart set on buying a load of fresh summer vegetables. You see homegrown tomatoes, squash, cucumbers, and several varieties of peppers—everything you need and more. Just as you start to select your items, the farmer who owns the stand says, “Sorry, ma’am; this produce isn’t for sale. I just like to grow it and enjoy looking at it until it rots. Then I throw it away.”
Huh? You likely haven’t encountered such an absurd situation, and probably never will. Farmers and consumers know that produce is for consuming. Sure, it’s beautiful to look at, but its God-ordained purpose is to bring nutrition and health to people. Fruit that isn’t consumed is no better than fruit that was never grown.
Similarly, if Christians aren’t manifesting fruit in their lives that benefit other people, something’s wrong. The fruit of the Spirit, as well as the good works we were made to walk in (Ephesians 2:10), are not for analyzing, discussing, and admiring. They’re for sharing with others! Not to bear and share fruit in the Christian life is to keep others from being blessed as God intended. Bearing fruit and sharing fruit are two sides of the same spiritual coin.” (p. 181, David Jeremiah, Morning and Evening Devotions).
In my many years of ministry, I’ve seen some amazing examples of fruit-bearing by Christians. I have watched youth of fourteen and fifteen feed the homeless, share quality time with the needy, and pray with the lonely. I’ve met hundreds of pastors and laypeople who prayed with the sick, comforted the dying, and watched over the vulnerable. It’s one thing to go sit in a pew. It’s something completely different to bear fruit of the gospel by using what you learn in worship to spread the message about Jesus or reach out in love. Worship is where you meet with God and get your marching orders. It’s what you do with the rest of your life that will define what kind of a Christian you have become and exhibit the kind of spiritual fruit you are capable of producing.
How well do you bear fruit for Christ? What spiritual gifts enable you to do godly works? Have you seen spiritual fruit grow in others nurtured by your love and support and prayers? How many seeds of the gospel have you helped plant in your life thus far?
In speaking about bearing fruit, I will need you to give special attention to important prayers over the next two weeks. Thirty years ago, I led a mission trip overseas. A woman who I invited is now leading her own mission trip to Africa over the next two weeks. The seeds God planted in her thirty years ago will be multiplied in Africa. However, where she is going is not entirely safe. Islamists are killing Christians near there. Droughts have ravaged crops. Water is precious. Pray that her group will continue to bear good fruit that will last for another thirty years. Pray that the gospel is received and blessed. Pray for the Holy Spirit to watch over everything. Pray for their safety.
I ask this in Jesus’ name. Amen.