Known By Our Fruits

It has been said that great comedy has it's roots in the family stories of the comedian. I believe these experiences are the fodder for many great writers. Today's post may not rank with the best, but our latest family outing serves as it's inspiration.

The eight of us had gotten together at the Green's house and then gone out to eat. After wards we went back to their house to talk, play, and watch TV. What I meant to say is this; we girls talked, the little boys played, and the big boys watched TV. How the 3 of them did that with one remote is beyond me.

I had brought along some cantaloupe for those who liked it. As some of us began to eat it, my bil T said, "this is one of those Mennonite cantaloupes, isn't it?." Before I could answer my baby sister burst out in laughter and said, " a Mennonite cantaloupe! How do you know that's where it came from?" We both began to explain how we have seen enough of them to know. We recognized the color, taste and texture as being the type that was grown by the Mennonite folks.

Today false prophets are a dime a dozen. Some are so obvious it is laughable, yet still they garner a following. Others are slick making their message sound like it is straight from the throne room. Millions of dollars are mailed, wired, charged, and handed over to crooks every day. Maybe I should say, every night. That's when some of the worst ones are on for hours and hours with their double speak and big smiles.

We should not be taken in by these shysters. The Bible has warned us of their existence. It has also given us the criteria by which to judge whether a person is a true prophet or not. It is time for us to apply the Word of God and expose the works of darkness.

We are limited as to what we can do about the TV preachers, but we don't have to support them in any way. Local pastors, teachers, prophets, evangelists should be open to inquiries. If they are above being questioned then they are suspect. I am not advocating we confront every member of the clergy. We should simply be observant. If we notice any improprieties then we should follow church protocol to report them. (That is another post for another day.)

15Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.
16Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?
17Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.
20Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.
Matthew 7:15-17,20 KJV


We are known by our fruits too. Do you have the look of LOVE? Are your hands HELPFUL? Are your words seasoned with GRACE? Are you FORGIVING and KIND? Do you have a GENEROUS heart? Are you COMPASSIONATE and MERCIFUL?

If you answered no to any of these questions, I urge you to call the Master Gardener. He knows just how to fertilize, cultivate, or prune you. I should know, I just got a trim myself.

Check out The Message version of our text. It really puts the pesticide on the trees.

The Message


Worship Wednesday has been brought to you by my older, wiser, and more learned sister, Sista Cala.