Got Fruit?

 Trees Known by Their Fruit.   By R. Nicholas Sybrowsky

           

Brief Exposition of Ps. 37:35. Mt. 7:15-20; 12 and Lk.  6.

[Psa37:35 KJV] [35] I have seen the wicked in great power, and spreading himself like a green bay tree. (Cite 1)

The ESV translation describes the "green bay tree" as a Laurel Tree.  Isn't that peculiar of the Lord to use the Psalmist as such.  The wicked achieve great things and rest in the various accomplishments taking all the glory for themselves.  They are never satisfied with their achievements.  They work in a frenzy to chase the high they get having won it all for themselves.

This reminds me of the idea from the less common phrase, "resting in your laurels".  When we rest in our accomplishments instead of the accomplishments of the Creator we can quickly slip out of communion with the LORD.  Instead of God being the ruler on the throne of our hearts we stroke our E.G.O.  By placing ourselves on the throne.  In essence we Edge God Out and give credit to ourselves (thanks Mom Note 3).

Jesus refers to trees being known by their fruit.  He uses this to illustrate false prophets, and I add that I think this is also a reference to false teachers (2Pe 2:15 AMP).

A Tree & Its Fruit

"[Mat7:15-20 KJV] [15] Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. [16] Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? [17] Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. [18] A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither [can] a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. [19] Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. [20] Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them."(Cite 1)

Jesus said, "Beware of false prophets,"

In chapter 12 of Matthew's Gospel the King James Translation pericope reads "Words Reveal Character" Jesus teaches furthermore using this Tree illustration:

"[Mat12:33-37 KJV] [33] Either make the tree good, and his fruit good; or else make the tree corrupt, and his fruit corrupt: for the tree is known by [his] fruit. [34] O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh. [35] A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things. [36] But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. [37] For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned." (Cite 1)

The words of any man should be tested and compared to the very word of God.  Paul advised the church in Thessalonica regarding such occasions.  

 [1Th5:21 NLT] [21] but test everything that is said. Hold on to what is good. (Cite 1)

"Love the real too much to tolerate the fake" -Charles T. Crabtree (Cite 2)

The physician Luke captured this in his account of the Gospel,

"[Luk6:43-45 KJV] [43] For a good tree bringeth not forth corrupt fruit; neither doth a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. [44] For every tree is known by his own fruit. For of thorns men do not gather figs, nor of a bramble bush gather they grapes. [45] A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh." (Cite 1)

So, what?  What kind of "fruit" do you have budding from your branches?  Do you have trustworthy companions?  Can they help you with your blind spots?  We all have them.  Are you an expert at knowing your weaknesses?  We all have them.  I am surrendering my ego to the Lord Jesus Christ.  He's much more suited to manage my proclivity violate God's perfect law.

Got fruit?  We all do.  What kind of tree are you today?

This is one reason I love the local church.  For me the communal family helps give my spouse a break from being the one to call me to accountability when the fruit I bear doesn't match Galatians 5:22-23 (listed below).  The mirrors I have don't always help me see these character traits either.  This is God's plan for us here in the 21st century.  We truly are better together!

I'll let the Apostle Paul, formerly known as Saul (his conversion Acts 9:1-31), have the last word today.

"[Gal 5:19-26 KJV] [19] Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are [these]; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, [20] Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, [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. [22] But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, [23] Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. [24] And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. [25] If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. [26] Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another." (Cite 1)

Citations & Sources:

1. Blue Letter Bible.  Bible Search and Study Tools - Blue Letter Bible
2. Spirit-Friendly Leadership | Shepherding the Expression of Spiritual Gifts in Public Worship by Gene Roncone
3. Note.  My mom shared this with me along our journey together.  At some point she expressed this acrostic.  It has stuck with me.  I wonder if the Lord has given us Psychotherapy to prevent injury and/or repair the Ego.  I know God can do far more with his powerful Spirit, but this field of medicine is very important to mental health.  Love God more than yourself!  The first commandment is to LOVE GOD.  Anyone who doesn't love God likely hates themselves.  Just a thought.