The tree is known by his fruit

Matthew 12:33

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.

How do you tell what type of tree is in your yard? When you move into a new home, and begin to survey the natural amenities about you, how will you determine if a tree is an apple tree, or a pear tree, a peach tree, or some other tree? You shall know them by their fruits! Have you considered that an apple tree always produces apples? Have you ever considered that a peach tree does not bring forth pears, or a pineapple tree mangoes? As James says, “Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine, figs?” See James 3:12. A tree will produce that which it is designed to produce and that which has seed in it. It will not bear something else. And so, my beloved brethren, we must remember this universal principle. Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh. A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things! Likewise an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things. A tree is known by its fruit.

Therefore, we must consider this morning, what is it that comes out of my mouth? For men shall give account of every idle word on the day of judgment; and by our words we shall either be justified or condemned. So we must give attention to the heart, for that which is in the heart will be made evident by what appears. We cannot hide our true values and virtues. We cannot conceal the nature and the propensities of who we actually are. We will always bring forth the fruit corresponding to our heart’s condition. There will always be an agreement, a congruency between these two. Wherefore, brothers and sisters, we should not just strive to change the appearance of what others see, but the essence of what is inside. For if we are internally given to the Lord, the external shall proclaim the same truth to all about us. For if any man love God, the same is known of him.

This is freeing! I therefore have no need to put on a front, a show, or a circus. I need not cover my face as with a mask or facade, for this will not be successful anyway. My own true colors will eventually be known. Away with the superficialities! Away with the artificial faux appearances! For this is ludicrous nonsense! It is absurd buffoonery to act as if I am something that I am not. If out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh, let me give attention and diligence to keep my heart, for out of it are the issues of life. If your heart is right, so shall the life bring forth agreeable fruit. Others shall know. By our fruit shall we be known. Either make the tree good and his fruit good, or make the tree corrupt and his fruit corrupt. Pick one or the other! For a tree is always and invariably and inevitably known by his fruit!

“Father, we recognize this day that, as Your Word has so clearly explained, we cannot fake who we are in front of others. That which is within will become that which is without. We want it all to be pure! Make us whiter than snow! For we want to bring forth good fruits—the fruits of the Spirit. But this will only happen when the essence of the inner tree is goodness and righteousness and truth. Make our hearts right in the sight of God, and ourselves and all others shall thereby find great and abundant benefit. And we pray and ask these things in Jesus’ name, Amen.”