THE TEST OF CHARACTER
"By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles?"
Matthew 7:16 (NIV)
There's a reason grocery stores put the freshest fruit near the front entrance. Bright colors and clean displays make everything look appealing. But most of us have experienced bringing home beautiful-looking fruit only to discover it was bruised, rotten or sour inside. What looked healthy on the outside didn't match what was happening within.
Jesus used a similar picture when warning people about false prophets. He said we would recognize them by their fruit. In other words, the true condition of a person's heart eventually shows up in the way they live. Words can be polished. Images can be curated. Public appearances can be managed. But character always leaves evidence.
That warning matters because false prophets don't usually look dangerous. Jesus said they come in sheep's clothing (Matthew 7:15). They often sound convincing, spiritual, confident and even caring. But over time, the fruit begins to reveal itself. Pride, manipulation, greed, dishonesty, division or a lack of love eventually become visible.
This passage isn't meant to make us suspicious of everyone. It's meant to help us become discerning. God never asks us to follow personalities, trends or spiritual voices without wisdom. Instead, He invites us to pay attention to what grows out of a person's life. Does their influence lead people toward humility, truth, love, repentance and Jesus? Or does it produce fear, confusion, control and self-centeredness?
Jesus' words also invite us to look inward. It's easy to evaluate someone else's fruit while ignoring our own. But the condition of our hearts will eventually show up in our relationships, attitudes, reactions and choices, too. Healthy roots produce healthy fruit.
The good news is that God doesn't just point out unhealthy areas in us. He helps transform them. As we stay close to Jesus through Scripture, prayer and obedience, His Spirit grows new fruit in our lives. Over time, our character begins to reflect Him more clearly.
APPLICATION: Take a few moments to reflect on the voices influencing your life most right now. Are these influencers producing Christlike character in you? Can you see enough of their lives to discern whether their characters reflect Christ?
PRAYER: Father, help me discern truth from lies. Give me the desire not to have my ears tickled by what I want to hear, but help me desire the truth from You more than anything else in the world. Amen.
"… Our Father in heaven…" Matthew 6:9b (NLT)
• What do You want to say to me today as my Father?
"… may your name be kept holy." Matthew 6:9c (NLT)
• What do You want to reveal to me about Your power today?
"May your Kingdom come soon." Matthew 6:10a (NLT)
• Help me make Your priorities my priorities today.
"Give us today the food we need," Matthew 6:11 (NLT)
• Is there anything specific You want me to do with my time or the people I'm around today?
"and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us" Matthew 6:12 (NLT)
• Reveal to me anyone I need to forgive or ask for forgiveness.
"And don’t let us yield to temptation…" Matthew 6:13a (NLT)
• Is there anywhere I'm vulnerable to temptation?