Be On The Honest Alert

 Matthew 7: 15-20

You Will Know Them by Their Fruits

¹⁵ “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. ¹⁶ You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles? ¹⁷ Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. ¹⁸ A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. ¹⁹ Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. ²⁰ Therefore by their fruits you will know them.

Even in the days of Jesus, (and perhaps from time immemorial) there have been con-men, charlatans, and fast-talkers on the prowl to take advantage of the unsuspecting, be it from pots and pans to land in Alaska. Jesus, so aware of this, advises us, especially in matters of behavior and morals, to look at the fruit of these vendors, for that's where the truth resides.  We might begin by looking in the mirror or looking at the fruits of our own words, actions or "salesmanship."  It's easy to blame "the other guy" and miss the real culprit, ourselves. How do MY actions measure up to my words?  Am I genuine, or just a slick salesman?  God calls us to be genuine, a life-time task, but one which begins with a good, honest evaluation of ourselves.  The day has already begun, but it's not too late to take that honest look at ourselves

Bro, Rene