You Will Know Them By Their Fruit

It is time for the gift of discernment to operate in our lives like never before. Scripture prophesies that in the last days, many will go forth displaying miracles, signs, and wonders. There will be both the false and the true. How will we know the difference? Even now, how can we differentiate between those who speak as though from God, but who really have a different spirit? Matthew 7 tells us that we will know them by their fruit!

Matt.7:20-23 - "So then, you will know them by their fruits. Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven; but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven. Many will say to Me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?' And then I will declare to them, 'I NEVER KNEW YOU! Depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness.'"

We are told in 1 Cor.8:3 that "if anyone loves God, he is known by Him." Thus, we see that a person who truly loves God is also known by Him. We love God if we do the things He has commanded us to do. Thus, the person who goes his or her own way, even while seeming to operate mightily in the gifts of the Spirit, is not really of God, but is operating in a different spirit. Do we see evidence of love, joy, peace, patience, and kindness? Do we feel a knitting together of our hearts with them when in their presence?

Many have become confused because of apparent "evidence" that someone is being used by God. However, there is no sure inner witness that we are joined together in unity. The Lord would say to you today, trust the witness of the Holy Spirit who dwells within you. Look not at outward signs, but look to the inner man. Test the spirit, and know them by their fruit! "A good tree cannot produce bad fruit, nor can a bad tree produce good fruit." (Matt.7:18)