The Difference Between Judging Someone & Recognizing the Fruits of the Spirit

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Short Summary
The discourse explores the biblical concept of judging, emphasizing the distinction between condemning a person’s heart and assessing their outward behavior or “fruit.” It highlights that Christians are permitted to discern and evaluate conduct in light of Scripture but must avoid final judgments or condemnation reserved for God alone. The teaching encourages focusing on love, mercy, and forgiveness, using Jesus’ guidance to recognize true brethren by their fruits while refraining from harsh judgment or hypocrisy.

Long Summary
Detailed Summary of the Discourse on “Judging” in a Biblical Context

Context and Initial Concern:
A sister observed conduct in the Ecclesia that contradicted Scripture and expressed a dilemma: she recognized the behavior as wrong but was hesitant to “judge” because she believed Christians are not supposed to judge others. This sparked an exploration of the meaning and boundaries of “judging” from a biblical perspective.

Understanding “Judging”: English vs. Biblical Nuances:
– The English word “judge” has multiple meanings, including:
1. A legal official who passes sentence (e.g., a court judge)
2. An adjudicator in competitions
3. One skilled in evaluating quality or character
4. Forming an opinion based on information
5. Making a final decision/assessment (often legal or moral)
– The key question: Which meaning applies when Scripture commands “do not judge”?
– The discourse emphasizes the limitations of English and shows the richer nuance in the original biblical Greek words.

Greek Words for “Judge” (Strong’s Concordance Numbers):
– Greek has at least nine words translated as “judge,” each with distinct meanings:
Diakrino (1252): To separate, discriminate, discern, decide (verb)
Krino (2919): To distinguish, judge, examine; often probationary, not final life-or-death judgment
Kriterian (2918): Rule or tribunal for judging
Crisis (2920): Final decision for or against justice—final judgment
Krita (2923): A judge (noun), e.g., the judgment seat (Hebrews 12:23)
Cataclino (2596): To judge against, condemn, sentence
Kritikos: A discerner or one who discriminates (adjective)
– The discourse stresses that many “judging” commands in Scripture refer to discernment or examination (krino, diakrino) rather than final condemnation (krima, crisis).

Biblical Instructions on Judging:
Romans 14:4: “Who are you to judge the servant of another?” Only God can judge hearts.
Romans 14:10-13: “Why do you judge your brother? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.” Command not to put stumbling blocks in a brother’s way.
1 Corinthians 11:31: “If we judged ourselves rightly, we would not be judged.” Different Greek words are used for judging oneself and for God’s judgment.
1 Corinthians 6:1-3: Saints will “judge” the world, but this judging (krino) is probationary, not final condemnation.
Acts 17:31: God has appointed a man (Jesus) to judge the world in righteousness; this judgment is probationary.
Revelation 20:4: Judgment is given to faithful resurrected members, but always under Christ’s headship.
Matthew 7:1-2: “Judge not, that you be not judged… by your standard of measure it will be measured to you.” A warning about hypocrisy and the “boomerang” effect of judgment.
Luke 6:37: “Do not judge, and you will not be judged; do not condemn, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven.” Clear teaching on mercy over condemnation.
James 2:1-4: Condemns favoritism and unjust judging among brethren; warns against becoming “judges with evil motives.”
James 4:12: Only God is the lawgiver and judge; criticizing others is setting oneself over God’s law.
James 5:9: “Do not grumble against one another, lest you be condemned.” The word for condemn here (catacreno) means sentencing/damning—serious warning.

Distinguishing Between Judging Conduct and Judging Hearts:
– Jesus taught we can discern conduct but must not judge hearts (which only God can do).
– The proper Christian approach is to “assess” or “discern” behavior (krino, diakrino, kritikos) without condemnation or final judgment.
– Brother Russell’s writings emphasize “krino” involves trial or testing but not finality.
– Jesus rebuked the Pharisees for judging “according to the flesh” (John 8:15)—superficial judgment is wrong.

Recognizing True Brethren by Their Fruits (Matthew 7:15-20):
– Jesus instructs to “know them by their fruits” (Greek: “recognize” rather than “judge”).
– Good fruit = loving, kind, merciful behavior; bad fruit = lies, conflict, selfishness, division.
– The metaphor of thorn bushes (prickly, fruitless, injurious) contrasts with healthy trees bearing nourishing fruit.
– Christians are to observe and discern external behavior (fruit) without condemning the heart.
– This discernment protects the flock and helps maintain unity and peace.

The Parable of the Barren Fig Tree (Luke 13:6-9 and Matthew 21:18-20):
– Jesus looked for fruit and found none, symbolizing Israel’s lack of spiritual fruitfulness.
– The vinedresser requests more time to nurture the tree before cutting it down; God shows mercy and patience.
– Disciples learn it is appropriate to look for fruit as evidence of spiritual health and obedience, but not to prematurely condemn.

Practical Application and Final Encouragement:
– Christians are permitted and required to discern conduct and “judge” behavior in the sense of assessing and distinguishing good from bad fruit—this is not the same as condemning a person’s heart or eternal destiny.
– When we observe behavior contrary to Scripture, we can and should “judge” in the sense of recognizing and avoiding harmful conduct, always with a spirit of love, kindness, and mercy.
– The teaching of Jesus encourages peace, forgiveness, and mercy, warning against hypocrisy and harsh judgment.
– The “boomerang” effect: harsh judgment toward others will be returned in kind.
– The ultimate final judgment belongs to God and Christ alone.
– Christians as a community are called to protect, help, and uplift one another, not to condemn or exclude based on imperfect human judgment.

Key Bible Verses Referenced:
– Proverbs 6:16 (abominations to the Lord, e.g., lying tongue, false witness, causing strife)
– Romans 14:4, 10-13 (do not judge brother, judgment seat of Christ)
– Colossians 2:16 (do not judge others regarding holy days)
– 1 Corinthians 11:31 (judge ourselves rightly)
– 1 Corinthians 6:1-3 (saints will judge the world)
– Acts 17:31 (appointed judge)
– Revelation 20:4 (judgment given to faithful)
– Matthew 7:1-2, 15-20 (do not judge, recognize by fruits)
– Luke 6:37 (do not judge, condemn; forgive)
– John 3:17 (Christ not sent to condemn)
– John 7:24 (judge with righteous judgment)
– John 8:15 (you judge according to the flesh)
– James 2:1-4 (do not show favoritism or judge with evil motives)
– James 4:12 (only God is judge)
– James 5:9 (do not grumble, lest judged)
– Luke 13:6-9 (parable of barren fig tree)
– Matthew 21:18-20 (Jesus curses barren fig tree)

Conclusion and Blessing:
– The discourse concludes by encouraging believers to discern only the visible fruits—actions and words—without condemning hearts, adopting a spirit of love, mercy, and kindness.
– The fruits of the Spirit are like flowers of sweet odor in God’s garden, nourishing and refreshing the community.
– May the Lord bless all who seek to walk in this spirit and protect the unity and peace of the Ecclesia.

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This detailed summary captures the core teaching of the discourse: the biblical concept of “judging” is nuanced and primarily calls for discernment and assessment of conduct, not condemnation or final judgment of hearts, which belong solely to God. The emphasis is on love, mercy, and protecting the flock by recognizing true Christian fruit while avoiding hypocrisy and harsh judgment.

Transcript

Versus Recognizing the fruits of the Spirit during an Ecclesian study, a sister made a comment to this effect. She said, I knew that what the brother and sister did was contrary to Scripture, but I also know we are not supposed to judge others. The next comment was judge them for what? When you notice fleshly, worldly behavior in opposition to Scripture, or when you simply bear witness to brethren exhibiting behavior in opposition to Scripture, is that judging? What does God and His Son want you to do?

After all, when you see shocking in your face behavior like Proverbs 6:16 things that are an abomination to the Lord, isn’t that telling you something? And to be clear, that list contains behavior such as a lying tongue, a false witness who lies, and someone who stirs up conflict in the brotherhood. Remember the Ecclesia comment? Yes, their behavior opposed Scripture. But I know we are not supposed to judge others.

Wait a moment. What English definition of judge did this sister mean? Does the English language lack all the nuances of meaning that the original writers intended for judgment? Judging let’s start by establishing the word judge. The issue when you use the English word judge is which definition do you mean?

And are there boundaries that can guide us with this dilemma? This is what we will talk about today. I was considering putting all these words, all these Greek words in a PowerPoint display. I want to keep it simpler than that so there’s nothing to memorize. Here, here.

And keeping it simple is good for my brain too. Trust me. Judge from the biblical standpoint means God’s righteous evaluation, verdict and sentencing of human actions, often linked to justice, holiness, and the consequences of sin. We can understand that, right?

Here are the main English definitions. Usage From Oxford Learner’s Dictionary. First one’s a noun. It’s for legal use. A public official authorized to decide cases in a court of law and pass sentence on criminals like Judge Judy.

The second one is a noun. During a competition, a person who determines the winner. Like a pie eating contest at a county fair. The third one is a noun. It’s an opinion.

Someone who has the skill or knowledge to evaluate the quality or value of something, such as a good judge of character. The fourth is a verb. It’s an opinion. To form an opinion about someone or something based on available information. For example, judging by her email, she’s excited.

Or judging by his costume, he’s a pirate. The fifth one is a verb. It’s a decision. An assessment to make a final decision, such as in a legal context, judged guilty. Remember, there’s no quiz.

I’ll remind you what you need to know as we go through this. A sister mentioned that in school she judged her students. Which judge? From these five above. Do you think she meant.

You get the point. Maybe she meant a combination of three and four. A good judge of character, as in judging by her email. Now, what would a Greek Bible student like Pantal Hadius say about judging? When the Greeks spoke, they had more than nine different words for the English word judge.

That’s why we’re at a disadvantage in English. So which word are you using? It depends on whether you are referring to a person, an action or a legal ruling. In both ancient and modern Greek, the root concept often centers around separating, sifting or deciding. Ready for some Greek?

There are nine Strong’s Greek words for judge, and this isn’t exhaustive. Close, but not. Not in total. I’ll mention the Strong’s numbers once, but don’t worry, you don’t need to memorize anything. The first one is Strong’s 1252 Diakrino and I hope I made the Greeks proud.

That means to separate thoroughly, to discriminate, to decide, to discern. It’s a verb. 29:19 is kri. No, means to properly distinguish, Judge, examine. Important to note, krino does not mean a final decision for life or death.

It’s more probationary. 13:48 Decastase a judger. It’s a verb noun. 29:22 Kriterian. I think I ruptured my tongue.

A rule of judging. A tribunal to judge. 29:17 a decision, judgment for or against. 29:20 crisis. Now this is cool.

It sounds like crisis, doesn’t it? A decision for or against justice. Judgment playing jeopardy. This would be your final and answer. 2923, 2923 Krita.

The Greek word here means an actual judge. It’s a noun. It’s the judgment seat from Hebrews 12:23 and to God the Judge of all. 26:32 Cataclino from 25:96 and 29:19 to judge against, I.e. sentence, condemn.

29:24 Kritikaus. A discriminate, discerner. It’s an adjective. You know, all those words are much more descriptive than the one word we use in English. Now you may say, but Brother Arbor, if we don’t judge others or ourselves, we won’t be following scriptures to judge.

When the sister said I judge my student’s behavior, we know what she meant, but others may not, and by the way, this is exactly how and why today’s study came to be. Remember the Ecclesia comment I saw what the brother and sister did. It didn’t conform with Scripture, but I dare not conclude anything because we aren’t supposed to judge others.

Which judge did she need? Was her assessment incorrect because she thought it meant to judge for life and death? She was correct to not judge for life and death. So what other word could be used? In my opinion, krino is a good option.

It’s the word we should use instead of krima. Final judgment. KRI no simply means we distinguish or examine. The sister distinguished the behavior as unbecoming, as not conforming with Scripture. We are not behaving as Kriteis, an actual judge with judgment seat authority, although I know some of us sure wish we could.

Grino means Christians have been alleviated of the awkward responsibility of judging for life and death. KRI no does not imply finality of decision. It simply says we can examine and take notice. Let’s take a few minutes and look closer at some scriptures that contain the word judge. Romans 14, verse 4 who are you to judge the servant of another?

Reprint 2480 Neither the world nor the brethren were king capable of judging Paul. Only the Lord who could read the heart could properly judge him, and we are not to condemn others who claim to be walking as God’s children. Question Book 824 no one has the right to judge his fellow man in regard to which day he should observe the Sabbath. If anyone presumes to so judge, he is violating a direct command of the Lord.

Colossians 2:16 Romans 14 verses 10 then 13 then verse 12. We begin at 10. But you why do you judge your brother? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. Verse 13 Therefore let us not judge one another anymore, but rather determine this not to put an obstacle or a stumbling block in a brother’s way.

Which of those scriptures do you think I believe is the most important? You’re correct. If you said do not have put a stumbling block in a brother’s way, why because of verse 12. So then each of us will give an account of ourselves to God. Back to verse 10 but you why do you judge or examine your your brother or you?

Again, why do you regard your brother with contempt? For we will all stand before the judgment seat or throne of Christ. Each of us will stand before him one day. A danger here. Why do you judge your brother?

I think that means don’t be like a Pharisee. The word judgment used here signifies more than simply sentencing or or the execution of a sentence. It includes the idea of trial and a righteous decision based on that trial. You might be tempted to feel there must be an opening where I can get in there and let them have my judgment. I have then read reprint 4517 new creatures are exhorted not to judge the brethren in the sense of condemning them, but rather to get a load of this judge themselves and thus help the brethren by setting a noble example before the world.

Reprint 4084 each is to remember that God is the judge and to make sure that He Himself has a conscience void of offense toward God and man. Remember not to put an obstacle or a stumbling block in a brother’s way. End of course the teachings of Jesus have pinched off, narrowed and removed our access to judging or condemning our brethren to life and death, including a declaration that someone is in or out of the church class. Some might disagree. I definitely leave it up to God.

God has given us permission to be our brother’s keeper, helper, protector, but not our brother’s judger. I learned something from my mom and dad through their actions, not words. The consecrated followers of Christ are to protect their fellow new creatures. You know that to be true. Or if you disagree and feel we are our brother’s judge, you have to find the applicable English Greek word and satisfy yourself.

But there are clear Scriptures 1st Corinthians 11:31 from the New American Standard but if we judged ourselves rightly, we would not be judged. Is it the same or different Greek word? They’re different. But if we strongs 1252’d ourselves rightly, we would not be strong’s 2919 it uses two different meanings for judge. If we thoroughly discerned ourselves, we would not be properly judged in trial by the Lord.

Turning to 1 Corinthians 6 verses 1 and 2 for do you not know that the saints will judge the world? If the world is judged 29:19 by you, are you not competent to constitute the smallest law courts? The saints will judge the world. 29:19 Krino here does not mean a final decision for life and death. It’s more probationary.

You know, at first I thought, okay, the church might have the final say in the thousand years. Then I thought about us being priests and that priests bless and don’t judge. Then I thought about kings and priests, thinking perhaps we can judge them there. But as I considered the role of the King and I’m referring to Christ as king, I’ve been considering whether or not the Church gets to judge or rather sentence anyone. Are we king of the royal family or members of the royal family?

It’s worth remembering that in Matthew 25, verse 40, it is the king sitting on the throne who pronounces sentence. In preparing this study and looking deeply at the Greek words, I was impressed that there is no finality of decision given to anyone except God, the righteous judge now and His Son on his Future Judgment seat. First Corinthians 6, verse 3 says, do you not know that we will judge angels? Aha. Except the word for judge here is fascinating and telling.

It’s 2919, Krino, which does not mean a final decision for life or death. It’s more probationary. You’re going to hear that a lot.

Probationary is not a final judgment. We are a kingdom of priests.

Acts 17, verse 31, because he has fixed a day in which he will judge the world in righteousness through a man whom he has appointed judge. Here is krino not a final decision for life and death. Who? Probationary. Does this not reveal to you the true loving character of God?

None of these words are krima, a final decision. Judgment for or against. In the kingdom, man gets probationary time. This confirms God is love, and mercy probably prevails. Don’t we want that?

Doesn’t the mankind want that? Give us time. We’ll figure it out. The help of the Church you will. As we fast forward to Revelation 20, verse 4, let’s remember that those who were beheaded for their testimony of Jesus are the perfected and resurrected members of the body of Christ.

Those that follow the Lamb wherever he goes. I love that illustration. Illustration. Here’s the scripture. Then I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was given to them.

Christ is the head of the body. They do nothing without Him. Judgment here is Rhema. 29:17. Final judgment for or against a judicial sentence.

Our Messiah is the head. We are the faithful bride. We obey the voice of Jesus. Luke 6:37. Do not judge Krino.

Distinguish, examine, and you will not be judged. Distinguished. Examine. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Pardon, and you will be pardoned.

Now that’s what I need. John 3, verse 17. For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through him might be saved. Condemn. If you studied it is the wrong word.

The word is kri. No, it means to distinguish, examine. That’s a far cry from condemnation. Another examination period confirming God’s character. Brother Russell felt in reprint 2430.

The word Kreno is full of the thought of trial or testing, but it does not imply finality of decision.

John 7, verse 24. When Jesus was in the temple, he rebuked the Jews, saying, do not judge, distinguish, decide according to appearance, but judge, distinguish, decide with righteous judgment. Brother Russell said it, there’s a difference between judging the heart, which we have no right to do, and judging the conduct, which is right to do. But it does not follow that our judgment of another’s conduct will always be right. Reprint 5245.

The lesson here is we are incapable and forbidden to judge the heart when we see behavior in opposition to Scripture. You can be the instrument of love, you can assess the conduct, and if you had to choose the applicable Greek words, would you agree with criticos, meaning a discriminate, discerner. I like that, and diacrino, which means to separate thoroughly, to decide and discern. Those are better words.

John 8, 15. This is what Jesus said in his rebuke of the Pharisees. You judge according to the flesh. I am not judging anymore. Both of Jesus words here are to distinguish, that is, decide to try, condemn, punish.

Now, James, chapter two, verses one through four. Brethren, this gets me right in the forehead every time we read. For if a man comes into your assembly with a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man comes in with dirty clothes, and you pay special attention to the one who is wearing the fine clothes and say, well, you sit over here in the good place and you say to the poor man, you stand over there in the corner. Verse 4. Have you not made distinctions among yourselves and become judges with evil motives?

The word judge here is an actual judge. I’m the boss. Oh.

James, chapter 4, verse 12, from the Phillips. I love this. Never pull each other to pieces, my brothers. If you do, you are judging your brother and setting yourself up in the place of God’s law. You have become, in fact, a critic of the law.

If you start to criticize the law instead of obeying it, you are setting yourself up as a judge, and there is only one judge, the one who gave the law to whom belongs absolute power of life and death. How can you then be so silly as to imagine that you are your neighbor’s judge? And of course, Here’s the issue with condemn and judge. James, chapter five, verse nine, new American standard.

Do not complain, brethren, against one another, so that you yourselves may not be judged. Behold, the judge is standing right at the door. We heard that at this convention and now from the King James. We grudge not one against another, brethren, lest ye be condemned. For behold, the judge standeth before the door.

The word condemned in that scripture is catacreno, and it means to sentence, to condemn, to damn. That is a powerful warning for me.

So which of these judgments are you qualified to execute perfectly every time?

My personal answer is none.

Now here’s the part some of you may have been waiting for. If I see somebody doing something in opposition to the Scriptures, what do I have permission to do? I have permission to judge them. That means to assess them and inspect them because of righteousness. I know what’s what.

Pick which definition of judge you mean, and remember, you can assess behavior and condemn it. We do not judge the man for life or death. We condemn the behavior, and when we do this, I think we need to be very careful.

You know, friends, there’s something missing. It’s a whole bunch of words, a whole bunch of numbers. Not enough spirit of the truth. As my dad said, it’s one thing to have the truth, it’s another thing to have the spirit of the truth, and you all know what I mean.

We’ve got many words and definitions. Is this how complicated our interaction should be with one another? No, there’s a simpler way Jesus taught it moves you to a place of peace and simplicity. Jesus gave his disciples an easier tool which gives them very clear in your face discernment. It completes Jesus purpose of the one body, but most importantly, it provides protection for the flock.

It also answers the question, who are my brethren?

How did Jesus train his disciples? With a scripture From Matthew, chapter 7, verse 1. Judge not so that ye be not judged. It means do not examine others unless you’re ready to be examined. Also, Jesus says, you’re better off not judging.

But if you do judge, you will be judged. So be prepared. He continues in verse 2. For in the way you judge, you will be judged, and I love this.

And by your standard of measure, you will be measured.

This is the same section where he goes on to talk about the speck in your brother’s eye. So before you and me run off and let someone have it for their behavior, there will be God’s boomerang effect. You get what you give. The world seems to call it karma. That’s how they’ve wrapped their heads around that.

But we need a nice clear scripture for that again. How about Luke 6, verse 37? Do not judge and you will not be judged. Do not condemn and you will not be condemned.

Forgive and you will be forgiven. Jesus ties it all together here, and that’s as clear as he can make it for us. How should Matthew, chapter seven, verse two, change and mold your Character. Remember, the Scripture says, for in the way you judged, you will be judged, and the standard of measure you use will be used for you. Wow.

So how does it mold your character? You follow Jesus, the one for whom you declared you would become headless. Don’t say, I don’t think that person should be part of the church based on beliefs. After all, which definition of judge are you using? The boomerang effect means your own entrance into the church could could be in jeopardy.

I’m not suggesting we should be blind to what we see at all, but we will observe conduct, so just follow the guidelines of Jesus. Reprint 45, 68. It is forbidden for us to judge the heart. Judging is a clear token that one has not developed the spirit of Christ, the spirit of love which is full of kindness. Consideration.

From the Amplified Classic edition, James, chapter 2, verse 13. For judgments will be merciless to one who has shown no mercy, but to the one who has shown mercy. God’s mercy triumphs victoriously over God’s judgment. Judgment here is crisis, the final decision because it’s God.

Aren’t you glad that God’s mercy triumphs over God’s judgment? Do you know what I know? You know what that means, but it just. If not, there’s no future life for anyone. Man would be doomed.

The Scriptures assure us of this. If you are harsh with others, that’s the measure that you will be measured by.

Reprint 45 67. The continual fault finder who sees great blemishes in others and none in himself, is blind to his own defects or hypocritical. If our words are generous and kind, loving and benevolent, we should receive similarly kind treatment of the Lord. But if harsh, critical, unkind, we may expect reproof. I don’t want that.

Matthew, chapter 7, verse 15:20. Reading from the ESV Beware of false prophets who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will recognize. The Greek word is know. Here you will know them by their fruits.

Are grapes gathered from thorn bushes, or figs from thistles. So every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the deceased tree bears bad fruit.

A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus you will recognize and know them by their fruits. By the way, the bramble bush is a low, prickly and fruitless thorn bush that was common all throughout the land of Canaan for thousands of years and remained common even in Jesus Day. So when he said thorn bush, everybody knew exactly what he was referring to and how prickly the bush was if he got near it.

Brethren, if I asked you, we cannot judge another person’s fruit. Is this true, false, or an accurate statement? We have seen that the English word for judge falls very short of the original writings. So this is kind of a trick question because of the English word judge. This would be a false statement, but only if you use the incorrect Greek word for judge.

All we’re doing is examining the fruit. Friends, the closest I want to get to judging is, is the Greek word kritikos, a discriminate discerner. I want peace. Why does Jesus guide us from beware of false prophets who are inwardly wolves to just look at the fruit? We assess only the visible fruit on a tree.

Our judgment, our examining, our discerning ends. There you will know them by their fruits.

Jesus prepares us to know the difference between our true brethren and those who pretend to be brethren for their own selfish purposes. Knowing the difference helps us recognize the body wherever it is spread out around the earth, and to be able to help hold it together to protect the flock. Each of you has a duty to protect the flock.

I can guarantee this one. Here you go. Many of you have put fruit in your mouth expecting that great taste, and instead you tasted mold, something mushy or rotten, and you instantly had that awful, oh, no, this is no good, and you spit it out. In that moment, you say, I didn’t know.

Well, you do now.

Matthew 7, verse 16. It uses the correct word for know. It’s recognize. You shall recognize them by their fruits. Jesus says, you will know them or recognize them by their fruits, but not judge them by their fruits.

There is a great distance between judge and know in the Greek, and the instruction to check or inspect fruit in Matthew 7, verse 16 comes immediately after warnings against hypocritical judgment.

As we toil in the vineyard together, we interact, we touch, we eat and digest each other’s fruit. Were you ever shocked or surprised when you rubbed shoulders with someone and were prickled by a thorn bush? This doesn’t require you to judge. This action requires you to observe, touch, feel, get slivers and be aware. For now you know.

According to Jesus instructions, a thorn bush does not bear fruit. If we are alleviated of judging and condemning for life and death, or declaring someone in and out of the church class, our duties are so much easier. We get to focus on developing self and uplifting others where necessary. Keep it simple for us. It’s an Observation of External Hanging Fruit we assess only the visible fruit on a tree.

Our judgment ends there. You will know them by their fruits. What do we see? Look at their actions, hear their words. Do they tear others down?

Do they build others up? You will know them by their fruits. Do their actions draw other brethren toward them, or do their actions repel others? Do those actions knit our hearts in kindred love toward them? Is there mercy?

Do you see forgiveness? You will know them by their fruits. Do we see love? Do we see kindness? Do we see generosity of spirit?

Or do we see selfishness? You will know them by their fruits. Let’s conclude the difference between judging the heart and assessing the fruit. Reprint 3747 the Lord’s true people produce fruit that nourishes and refreshes those who fellowship with them. By contrast, some are like prickly thistles, continually scattering seeds of trouble, a lying tongue shedding innocent blood, spreading strife amongst brethren.

Others are like thorn bushes. Instead of bearing fruit that nourishes and refreshes, they hinder, poison, and injure those around them. The pastor continues, the lesson is clear. The Lord’s people should have no problem to distinguish between wolves and sheep, or wolves and fruit bearers, he says, or prickly bushes and fruit that feeds and nourishes you, which is your prelude to the kingdom.

One group makes trouble, he says, weakens and breaks the other class well. They help to build, strengthen, and promote peace as peacemakers. Let’s look briefly at the parable of the barren fig tree. Luke 13, verses 6 to 9. Here’s a summary.

While Jesus was with Israel as a nation, they bore no fruit. The parable says, the owner of the vineyard wants to cut down the barren fig tree, but the vinedresser asks for some time, time to water and fertilize it, to see if it will bear any fruit. Verse 9 says, if it should bear fruit next year, well and good, but if not, you can cut it down. What does Jesus do with the people of Israel? He used the time to water and develop them, but the nation, the religious leaders, rejected him.

Whether you argue it is God or Christ who has the right to do the cutting, it is definitely not the disciples who do this, and it is not you and me. However did the disciples learn that it is okay to look for fruit? Matthew 21, verses 18 to 20 from the ESV we read in the morning as he was returning to the city, he became hungry and seeing a fig tree by the wayside, he went to it and found nothing on it, but only leaves and he said to it, may no fruit ever come from you again, and the fig tree withered it with ones. Our point here is Jesus was hungry and he looked for fruit, but found none.

No fruit. The disciples following him learned that it’s okay to look for fruit if the fruit of the fig tree demonstrated progress, growth and obedience to God. What happens to us when we come in contact with the healthy fruitage of our brethren? We see their progress, their growth and their obedience to God. It’s so easy to see the bearing of much fruit and how they show love one to another.

And we take great joy in seeing such beautiful fruit displayed between brothers. This is what I saw from you this weekend. This week it feels like the choicest blessings some general convention on the last night of his life. During the Last Supper, our Lord Jesus wanted to impart one last thing to his close friends. We read by this all men shall know you are my disciples.

If you have love one to another, that’s a reminder for us that they will also know me and you. By our fruits we are not to condemn the heart. We are called to discern and evaluate outward conduct. You will know them by their fruits. Trust your eyes, your spiritual vision, the Holy Spirit.

See what the Scriptures say, bear witness to their actions and look for love. We close with reprint 4688. The fruits are the flowers of sweet odor which belong to the garden of the Lord. The fruits are the flowers of sweet odor which belong to the garden of the Lord. May the Lord add his blessing.

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