DCLM Daily Manna 19 January 2022
Topic: The Fruit Test
TEXT: MATTHEW 7:13-20
KEY VERSE: “Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?” (MATTHEW 7:16).
It is often difficult to decipher the true nature of men. This is because many are very clever in concealing their true essence. They cover their tracks with disciplined lifestyle, gentle words, deceptive appearance and very cultured and civilised conducts. If you are not very careful, it is easy to become a victim of their deception.
Christ stresses that you can know the true identity of the prophets by their fruits – the practical effect of their teaching and the content of their character. “Good trees” are not associated with evil, but the corruption of bad trees is eventually exposed. And such bad trees will end up in hellfire. The fruit test is, therefore, necessary before you yield to the influence of any “prophet” to avoid being damned.
Jesus has one major desire: that all His disciples will get to heaven. He, therefore, taught His disciples to follow the narrow way and shun the wide and broad way that leads to destruction. False prophets help to populate the broadway by craftily misdirecting people. They pretend to have good intentions, but expertly hide their real objective.
We must consciously evaluate the lives of people who claim to be teachers of the word of God, by examining their words and conducts. If they do not portray good habits and maintain high moral character; if they are unable to live out the word they teach others, you must have nothing to do with them. Do everything to ensure you are walking on the narrow way that leads to eternal life. Be a person of firm conviction and commitment to God’s word.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: Your life is an open book that others read.
THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: ACTS 11-12
