Thoughts for the Day

A Tree and Its Fruit

Jesus says, ‘Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thorns, or figs from thistles? In the same way, every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus you will know them by their fruits.

(Lectionary, New Revised Standard Version)

Thoughts

Jesus gives his disciples a warning against those who will attempt to lead us spiritually astray. Such people can appear innocent and harmless, for they will come in 'sheep's clothing'. But they are not harmless, and their appearance is deceptive. We must avoid them by recognising 'their fruits', that is, not by their speech but how they live and act. Put another way, a person may say the right words, but do their actions match up to their words? Or another, good trees bear good fruit!

Those who have been reading my 'Thoughts' for five years will know I occasionally like to use examples from Bunyan's 'Pilgrim's Progress'. The main character, Christian, is travelling from the 'City of Destruction' to the 'Celestial City, (which is a metaphor for our life's journey), and he meets many people, but not all are what they seem. One such person is Talkative. He seems like a rather good travelling companion, but Christian's friend Faithful, disagrees. He says:

• "The man talks of prayer, of repentance, of faith of new birth, but he knows only to talk of them. I have been in his family and have observed him both at home and abroad. His house is as empty of religion as the white of an egg is of flavour. He thinks that hearing and saying will make a good Christian, and he deceives himself."

Despite all those who try to lead Christian from the King's Highway, he makes it through to the Celestial City! But what about us? How often do we get led astray by the things of this world? (Note to us all: Get back on the path quick!)

Lord Jesus,
You taught us that we should know others
by their fruit;
and that their words should show
evidence in their life.
Help us also to be honest with ourselves
and to make sure that our actions
reflect our thoughts and beliefs.
May we not get led astray from Your Way,
but keep to the path You have set before us.
Amen.