fruit and works.

[wsblind]

New American Standard Bible
"You will know them by their fruits. Grapes are not gathered from thorn bushes nor figs from thistles, are they?

What do you specifically look for to know them by their fruits?

If we are to know them by their fruits. What are the fruits you look for to discern the truth?

 

[Stunnedbygrace]

The fruits of the Spirit.

 

[wsblind]

The fruits of the Spirit.

Come on! Everyday life. Things that make you look cross eyed, and things that you discern are on the mark.

 

[Johnny_B]

John 13:35 "By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

Romans 12;10 "Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another;"

1 Thessalians 4:9 "But concerning brotherly love you have no need that I should write to you, for you yourselves are taught by God to love one another;"

Hebrews 13:1 "Let brotherly love continue."

2 Peter 1:5-9 "But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love. For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For he who lacks these things is shortsighted, even to blindness, and has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins."

 

[wsblind]

John 13:35 "By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

Romans 12;10 "Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another;"

1 Thessalians 4:9 "But concerning brotherly love you have no need that I should write to you, for you yourselves are taught by God to love one another;"

Hebrews 13:1 "Let brotherly love continue."

2 Peter 1:5-9 "But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love. For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For he who lacks these things is shortsighted, even to blindness, and has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins."

But I see unbelievers who are kind,loving, compassionate, try to do the right things, have amazing self control, believe in a higher power, have brotherly love. In fact ,The majority of society(at least in the USA) has a mindset for world peace and all of us getting along. And equality for all man.

 

[Stephen63]

New American Standard Bible
"You will know them by their fruits. Grapes are not gathered from thorn bushes nor figs from thistles, are they?

What do you specifically look for to know them by their fruits?

If we are to know them by their fruits. What are the fruits you look for to discern the truth?

Attitudes.

 

[Johnny_B]

But I see unbelievers who are kind,loving, compassionate, try to do the right things, have amazing self control, believe in a higher power, have brotherly love. In fact ,The majority of society(at least in the USA) has a mindset for world peace and all of us getting along. And equality for all man.

I'm not understanding what you are trying to get at or say here. Help me out can you explain what it is you are getting at?

 

[wsblind]

I'm not understanding what you are trying to get at or say here. Help me out can you explain what it is you are getting at?

The scriptures you posted. I see many unbelievers that overtly act like what the scriptures you posted tell believers to do.

Many unbelievers have brotherly love. Many unbelievers have self control. Many unbelievers believe in a higher power. Many unbelievers have ALL the overt qualities of following the Law.

What are the fruits You see that you can discern the real from the fake?

 

[Stunnedbygrace]

Come on! Everyday life. Things that make you look cross eyed, and things that you discern are on the mark.

Everyday life? Okay, let's see...
When someone makes a rough remark to you or accuses you of being x or y or z, you don't bristle. You just continue on in the discussion and connect, other than maybe an "I'm sorry, that wasn't my intent. What I meant was such and such." You don't hear shrieks of how someone just slandered you and needs to apologize for twenty pages. (Don't misunderstand me, this isn't won by hard work. It is by Him getting you to the place in your walk where you see that this behavior is lack in you, which leads to prayer and trust He will fix you and waiting and more prayer.) He brings you there, it takes some time, and He shows you what hurt feelings really are - a bruised pride, a feeling you deserve respect and therefore not showing the same mercy and forgiveness He showed you. He actually has got you to a place where you don't feel anyone owes you respect but everyone owes HIM respect.

Or...you don't demand someone else does the dishes because you always do them. You do them because you really start to like your labors and you like taking the load off of anyone else. And while you're doing the dishes, where you used to fume and resent in your mind while you did them because so and so absolutely REFUSES to rinse their plate off so the food is now stuck on it and dried, you just soak it for a minute or two and really find that you're at peace and not resenting and murdering your household.

When someone asks if you'll do something and you say yes, you don't put it off until later so they must ask you 20 more times over the course of the next three months. You do it pretty soon because you don't forget what they've asked because you love them and want them to be happy.

When someone cuts you off in traffic, you don't honk your horn and glare at them and yell, you just let them in and thank God for saving you from a wreck while your thumping heart calms down from the dose of adrenaline.

You do NOT get to this place by just trying really, really hard, because you go that route for awhile and then realize it doesn't get you any closer to the way you wish you could be, with your wildly fluctuating emotions not controlling you and making you do and say what you really wish you wouldn't. You pray, you wait, it keeps happening, the emotions getting the best of you, and He let's you struggle with sin for some length of time before He begins to change things in some way that you can't really quite figure out what He has done exactly, you just know you're going longer amounts of time without getting angry and you're in an odd, general and calm peace. Sometimes you recognize a slight motion of your heart toward some silly resentment, like someone missed the trashcan and their napkin is on the floor and they just don't care if you have to pick it up, but it doesn't go past this first motion because you just don't advert to it and let it start dictating to you what you deserve that someone treat you like and you pick it up and think of how much you love them and what a lousy shot they are so they better study hard because they ain't never making it to the NBA.

These are fruits. Growing humility, meekness, not demanding your way, emotions in subjection instead of ruling you, growing love, ( even when someone IS kind of selfish and is a demanding person in general), joy, calm, and peace in the Spirit, a general sense of peace that is very delightful and relaxed and doesn't go away based on whatever circumstance you find yourself in because it's not based on your general level of comfort or discomfort and so it can't be greatly swayed.

 

[wsblind]

Everyday life? Okay, let's see...
When someone makes a rough remark to you or accuses you of being x or y or z, you don't bristle. You just continue on in the discussion and connect, other than maybe an "I'm sorry, that wasn't my intent. What I meant was such and such." You don't hear shrieks of how someone just slandered you and needs to apologize for twenty pages. (Don't misunderstand me, this isn't won by hard work. It is by Him getting you to the place in your walk where you see that this behavior is lack in you, which leads to prayer and trust He will fix you and waiting and more prayer.) He brings you there, it takes some time, and He shows you what hurt feelings really are - a bruised pride, a feeling you deserve respect and therefore not showing the same mercy and forgiveness He showed you. He actually has got you to a place where you don't feel anyone owes you respect but everyone owes HIM respect.

Or...you don't demand someone else does the dishes because you always do them. You do them because you really start to like your labors and you like taking the load off of anyone else. And while you're doing the dishes, where you used to fume and resent in your mind while you did them because so and so absolutely REFUSES to rinse their plate off so the food is now stuck on it and dried, you just soak it for a minute or two and really find that you're at peace and not resenting and murdering your household.

When someone asks if you'll do something and you say yes, you don't put it off until later so they must ask you 20 more times over the course of the next three months. You do it pretty soon because you don't forget what they've asked because you love them and want them to be happy.

When someone cuts you off in traffic, you don't honk your horn and glare at them and yell, you just let them in and thank God for saving you from a wreck while your thumping heart calms down from the dose of adrenaline.

You do NOT get to this place by just trying really, really hard, because you go that route for awhile and then realize it doesn't get you any closer to the way you wish you could be, with your wildly fluctuating emotions not controlling you and making you do and say what you really wish you wouldn't. You pray, you wait, it keeps happening, the emotions getting the best of you, and He let's you struggle with sin for some length of time before He begins to change things in some way that you can't really quite figure out what He has done exactly, you just know you're going longer amounts of time without getting angry and you're in an odd, general and calm peace. Sometimes you recognize a slight motion of your heart toward some silly resentment, like someone missed the trashcan and their napkin is on the floor and they just don't care if you have to pick it up, but it doesn't go past this first motion because you just don't advert to it and let it start dictating to you what you deserve that someone treat you like and you pick it up and think of how much you love them and what a lousy shot they are so they better study hard because they ain't never making it to the NBA.

These are fruits. Growing humility, meekness, not demanding your way, emotions in subjection instead of ruling you, growing love, ( even when someone IS kind of selfish and is a demanding person in general), joy, calm, and peace in the Spirit, a general sense of peace that is very delightful and relaxed and doesn't go away based on whatever circumstance you find yourself in because it's not based on your general level of comfort or discomfort and so it can't be greatly swayed.

I know unbelievers who do yoga and mind exercises that would claim what you just claimed. They are very content,Humble, meek, calm, peaceful,changed for the better and put people before themselves. And are at peace with themselves.

How do we as Christians know them by their fruit?

 

[Stunnedbygrace]

Well I haven't met any people who do yoga who display fruits of the Spirit. I don't know if I've ever met anyone who does yoga or not. I rarely meet people in my day to day travels who display these fruits. Maybe I need to find some yoga friends because the way you describe them, they sound like they act nicer than many Christians I've met. I wouldn't know what to think if I knew a person who very consistently showed the fruits of the Spirit who was an atheist...it would puzzle me for sure. If you say they exist and you know them very well and can attest that you never see anything but humility, meekness, longsuffering, peace, joy, and subjected emotions from them, I believe you. I just haven't met them.

 

[TMS]

Gal 5:19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,
Gal 5:20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,
Gal 5:21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
Gal 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
Gal 5:23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
Gal 5:24 And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.
Gal 5:25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.
Gal 5:26 Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.

All good comes from God and some people (that don't know God) do have some or most of these good fruits and we don't need to know why or how just praise God for working good in their lives. When the Spirit of God is controlling you (your walking in the Spirit), these fruits come naturally. Apple trees don't naturally produce oranges. We just need to make sure we are connected to (abide in) the vine which is Jesus.
Joh 15:4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.
Joh 15:5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.

 

[Stunnedbygrace]

Gal 5:19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,
Gal 5:20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,
Gal 5:21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
Gal 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
Gal 5:23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
Gal 5:24 And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.
Gal 5:25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.
Gal 5:26 Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.

All good comes from God and some people (that don't know God) do have some or most of these good fruits and we don't need to know why or how just praise God for working good in their lives. When the Spirit of God is controlling you (your walking in the Spirit), these fruits come naturally. Apple trees don't naturally produce oranges. We just need to make sure we are connected to (abide in) the vine which is Jesus.

Joh 15:4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.
Joh 15:5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.

Yes. I agree. I often meet people who want to have long discussions about doctrine and yet I see more of the first list out of them. Sometimes, they can even be having a discussion on the doctrine of saved forever even WHILE displaying these fruits with someone who brings up abiding and they feel threatened I guess. I used to think they were so rabid because to face the truth about how they were acting would make their deal to cheat death, in which they insist abiding is just optional, fall apart. Now I just realize I don't know what to think about it so I just make sure I'm abiding, and loving them, and not letting my own mouth and flesh rise up, just guarding the motions of my own heart.

 

[Johnny_B]

The scriptures you posted. I see many unbelievers that overtly act like what the scriptures you posted tell believers to do.

Many unbelievers have brotherly love. Many unbelievers have self control. Many unbelievers believe in a higher power. Many unbelievers have ALL the overt qualities of following the Law.

What are the fruits You see that you can discern the real from the fake?

I think what I listed needs to be understood from, those attributes coming form, "because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us." Romans 5:5b

Here's another thing, the Law does not bring out those qualities in a Christian, it comes because of God's love for church and why we love Him. 1 John 4:19 "We love Him because He first loved us." Ephesians 2:4-5 "But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead inour trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved"

When ever the Bible speaks of the love of God in the epistles, it always toward the Church/beloved/elect/chosen that's what cause us to have these qualities, what causes the unbeliever to have them I have no clue.

 

[Grace777x70]

Matthew 7:15-17 (NASB)
[SUP]15 [/SUP] "Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves.

[SUP]16 [/SUP]"You will know them by their fruits. Grapes are not gathered from thorn bushes nor figs from thistles, are they?

[SUP]17 [/SUP]"So every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit.


To be accurate Jesus was talking about how to identify false prophets. False prophets are those that "seem to mimic " the words of the Lord but these words are not true. What kind of fruit does these words bring in a person's life?

When a supposed preacher comes with words saying anything that is contrary to what Christ has done by His finished work on the cross and resurrection - what does this bring in a person's life? What is the fruit of their words?


Does it bring arrogance and abusive behavior, malice and the slandering of others? Does it insult others and de-mean them? Does it try to "lord it over your faith?" by their superior knowledge and human scholarship? Does it bring condemnation to others? This is the fruit of a false prophet in the midst.

They could be genuine Christians too and not true false prophets but just under the deception of the enemy and his deceitfulness or they could not even be true believers in Christ. I'll leave that judgment in the hands of the Lord who knows all people's hearts.

 

[FreeNChrist]

New American Standard Bible
"You will know them by their fruits. Grapes are not gathered from thorn bushes nor figs from thistles, are they?

What do you specifically look for to know them by their fruits?

If we are to know them by their fruits. What are the fruits you look for to discern the truth?

Jesus immediately followed that up with a little story about those who "on that day" will tell Him about all they had done...and to whom He will say, "I never knew you".

And yet Jesus had also just said that those who will enter in are those who have done, "the will of My Father who is in heaven". Something to think about.

 

[Grace777x70]

Does the fruit of these false prophets "words" produce this fruit in us? Does it bring us to respond to the love of our good, good Father and Lord towards us?


[video=youtube;NjEYtaD-Ywg]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NjEYtaD-Ywg[/video]


Or does it bring forth the fruit of name-calling and abusive behavior because you don't agree with their "doctrine"?

We will know them by the fruit of their words.

 

[notuptome]

Examine all things through the word of God.

Gods word is a mirror not a magnifying glass.

Examine self not others. Others will show themselves forth as believers or pretenders. Allow God to reveal as He chooses.

For the cause of Christ
Roger

 

[gb9]

Examine all things through the word of God.

Gods word is a mirror not a magnifying glass.

Examine self not others. Others will show themselves forth as believers or pretenders. Allow God to reveal as He chooses.

For the cause of Christ
Roger

very good post.

 

[garee]

Matthew 7:15-17 (NASB)
[SUP]15 [/SUP] "Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves.

[SUP]16 [/SUP]"You will know them by their fruits. Grapes are not gathered from thorn bushes nor figs from thistles, are they?

[SUP]17 [/SUP]"So every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit.


To be accurate Jesus was talking about how to identify false prophets. False prophets are those that "seem to mimic " the words of the Lord but these words are not true. What kind of fruit does these words bring in a person's life?

When a supposed preacher comes with words saying anything that is contrary to what Christ has done by His finished work on the cross and resurrection - what does this bring in a person's life? What is the fruit of their words?


Does it bring arrogance and abusive behavior, malice and the slandering of others? Does it insult others and de-mean them? Does it try to "lord it over your faith?" by their superior knowledge and human scholarship? Does it bring condemnation to others? This is the fruit of a false prophet in the midst.

They could be genuine Christians too and not true false prophets but just under the deception of the enemy and his deceitfulness or they could not even be true believers in Christ. I'll leave that judgment in the hands of the Lord who knows all people's hearts.

Amen. I was reminded of a verse in 1Samuel, the recipe for meekness, not to be confused with weakness.

But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart. 1Samuel 16:7

The fruits of the Spirit would include an ongoing desire to get in the will of God and stay in the will of God as long as possible and not judge lest we be judged. The fruit would also be a exclusive faith that comes from hearing God and not that of ourselves, therefore defending that faith of Christ that works in us to both will and do His good pleasure as that which defends us, for we do not wrestle against flesh and blood but the things not seen the eternal .

The fruit of meekness, being strengthened by the Lord and not weakness should be tempered with mercy. Rebuke your brother so that we do not share their guilt. Love rejoices with truth in that way.

But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses. 1Ti 6:11

1Corinthians 2:9 But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.

James 1:21 Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.

1Peter 3:15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear: