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THE FRUIT TEST

Posted by Dr. Bill Blanchard on

In speaking of false prophets, Jesus said that we will be able to recognize them by their fruit (Matthew 7:15-20).  This causes many people to conclude that if an individual’s ministry is bearing good fruit, then they must be good.  After all, are they not bearing good fruit because of God’s affirmation of them as faithful individuals?

But John Stott has properly noted that there are actually three tests to consider when thinking about a person’s “fruit”: 1) their character and conduct; 2) the actual teaching that is given; and 3) the effect their teaching has on others.  Unfortunately, we often think that passing the third test automatically means they have passed the first, but it doesn’t.  Well then, you might ask, what is the relationship between failing the first but still passing the second or third?  At some point in our past, we’ve all struggled with this question, have we not? Well, let me give you two things to consider:

First, it should serve as a reminder that the popularized “fruit test” is not particularly biblical, because there can be good flowing from deeply flawed people.  “Fruit” by itself is no validation of the human agent.  Anywhere you sense the work of God, it says more about God than it does the workers.  Yes, of course, it leaves us saddened, disappointed, and even sometimes disillusioned when a fallen leader’s life is disconnected from his/her teachings and writings, but it does not necessarily make their teachings or writings inherently false or of no value.  Yes, it blunts their edge considerably, but the fact of the matter is every Christian is a sinner, and whatever holiness there is in the church is not found in its members, but in Jesus Christ! 

Second, faithfulness does matter.  Please don’t get lulled into thinking that since God seems to use people given over to sin, you might as well not worry about fighting it too hard yourself!  Faithfulness is about our obedience and love for God, not about how it plays into temporal levels of success.  The “well done, my good and faithful servant” is mostly about the “well” not the “done.” In other words, it will not be about how MUCH was done, but mainly about how WELL it was done. 

Devotedly your pastor,  

Bill Blanchard

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