Bible Study " Ye shall KNOW them by their fruits"; What does t

[Abiyah]

Good Afternoon All !

I was hoping that some of you may be able to give me some insight regarding Matthew 7:16, in which Jesus Christ is telling us that " We shall know THEM by their fruits" ; I realize that it is symbolic, but can anyone explain this parable with understanding. I was always taught that that "thorns" and/or "thistles" were symbolic of satan ? Who is "THEM" ? Any enlightenment you could give me would be great ! Thank you.

Abiyah

 

[<3Jesus<3]

THEM refers to false prophets if you read 7:15 meaning we will know the false prophets by what good/bad deeds they have committed. and such

 

[Abiyah]

THEM refers to false prophets if you read 7:15 meaning we will know the false prophets by what good/bad deeds they have committed. and such

Hi there <3Jesus<3 !!
Yes, yes I agree, but let me ask you this, do you think ALSO that we will know "THEM" by WHAT THEY TEACH ? As far as is it FROM God's Truth or is it NOT ? If it is not of God's Word, which is True, then "they/them" would be teaching "BAD" fruit, "false" doctrines, etc.; because we know that in which they are teaching is not God's Word ? Does it mean that their false doctrine is that "bad" fruit ? Maybe even..... ?; those that look like sheep, I mean they look like children of God, they look as though they FOLLOW the True Shepherd, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Do we need to be "spiritual" fruit inspectors... ? lol lol :o

Abiyah

 

[Relic]

those that look like sheep, I mean they look like children of God, they look as though they FOLLOW the True Shepherd, but inwardly they are ravening wolves

And there are those that go to church and do the "church" thing, but that's about it, they do the church thing and once they leave the building it's as if they never even heard of God or Jesus Christ at all! Once you get to know them, you find out they don't even read their bible, nor do they know what it means to repent, be baptised and be serious about taking on the Holy Spirit of Christ as their own, to put on the whole armor of God, or to carry their own cross and follow Jesus. They have no idea what any of that means... but the go to church on sundays! :o

They have no idea of what it means to sacrifice self to sin. They have no idea of what it means to to have faith IN Christ, nor do they know what it means when they are told, faith without works is dead.

These type aren't the wolves in sheeps clothing they are wolves among the sheep and think they are sheep themselves! but don't even know they themselves are the wolves! They are totally blind to what they are really like. They don't even know themselves. How can they know Jesus if they refuse to face themselves and be convicted of the sins they are into? How can they know Jesus if they refuse to even learn about what is considered holy? How can they know anything if they refuse to read the Scripture and be taught by the elders who are walking IN the HOly Spirit of Christ Jesus?

They hate people who are OF The HOly Spirit, because the Holy spirit is what convicts them of their sins! And they think it's the person judging them, but they have no idea that it's the Holy Spirit that reveals the sins and leads the way to living without sin. They have no idea what it means to walk IN the Spirit. They love their sins, they don't want anybody telling them they are living in sins! They'd rather tell you off than admit to the atrocity they do to others and themselves. They don't see the tracks they leave behind them and they don't know what roads they walk. They walk blind! How can they even understand what "fruits" of the Spirit are? They don't care and they think "Christians are wacko!


Selfishness, Self Gratification, Vanity, Egotistical Behavior, and Materialism is not our GOD! But then they have the nerve to tell others they are a Christian. :o


Oh, the wolves don't even know they are wolves! And they have no idea what kind of fruits that blossom on the trees that they themselves have planted in their own gardens! They have no idea what the kingdom of God is like! Let alone what a mustard seed can produce! They have no idea what an olive tree symbolizes in biblical terms, nor do they have any idea what the pomegranate symbolizes. How are they supposed to know what kind of fruit they produce themselves? They are walking blind!

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[Relic]

And another thing....

Those wolves.... they have no idea what "the fruit of the spirit" means to them. Nor do they want to know. And if you tell them... look out! You are labelled a wacko.

Those kinds of people... It's a shame... but you have to walk away from them after you have spoken so much to them. When they don't hear you, you have to let go and know that, eventually, God will take care of them in due time, once they have had enough of themselves, they will start to pray for help. 8-) Hopefully they will be willing to come face to face with God, and not pray to the false gods, and pray to Jesus that they don't turn their backs on the Truth about how good the "Holy" Spirit of God is. And just hope they come to realize, that God only wanted them, all along, to see the His Holiness and to turn away from the sins, the unholy. But that's where their own will has to be given away. Do they know what that means? Can the blind be made to see? They have to be willing. They have to be willing to GIVE of their own free will. They have to GIVE their will to God. Do they know what that means? Oh Lord, the wolves don't even know they are wolves, do they?


I guess they'd rather hear it from the movie stars and the modern day singers and entertainment media telling them how to commit to sin, without having to hear of the consequences that come of it. They don't think of that! They're too busy looking at themselves in the mirrors in the department stores and too busy getting drunk in the bars and fornicating anything that has skin! Gimmie gimmie gimmie! Me mine, who cares about anyone else! In denial, self gratifying/self serving materialists. :-?

Wolves in sheeps clothing? What fruits they produce? They'd rather call you a wacko than talk about the truth of that!


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[Relic]

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And the ones who come here to play mind games.....

You know who you are :evil: !

Shame : on you!


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[Ruben]

How does a complete novice determine which doctrine is truth? Just because you say that you have found the truth does not negate that untold others make the same claim.

I am familiar enough with the Scriptures to make the determination that the ‘worship day of the week issue’ is nothing more than an interpretation of what is written. The OT laws clearly state that the seventh day is the day set-aside for worship. As for how Sunday became the day of worship, I have never found the direct words sanctioning the worship or lords day as being changed to the first day. There just isn’t the undeniable word that says Thou shalt where Sunday worship is concerned. I don’t care how many verses can be found and recited, it is still a matter of personal interpretation and conviction. If it ain’t there it ain’t there. So how can I judge another for their convictions when my own are no more of a guarantee of being right than any and all others.

There are guidelines by which we can determine some of what is right that requires little more than common sense. Causing others pain is not acceptable… but then we have exceptions contained within the Scriptures and allowed by societies and encouraged by many doctrines. Understandably in order for us to function as societies we have to have the threat of inducing pain, physical and/or emotional to keep the peace.

I should hope that God would have better means of keeping the peace, perhaps by conviction only in that God is right and righteous and worthy and deserving of the adoration and worship of all creatures.

Sorry, I do get side tracked. Knowing someone by their fruits, or judging a doctrine is easily determined only to a point. There are fine lines that to some are of the greatest significance when determining what is truth, like the day of worship issue. How can any of us be that certain that our choice is the right one?

 

[dcookcan]

The OT laws clearly state that the seventh day is the day set-aside for worship. As for how Sunday became the day of worship, I have never found the direct words sanctioning the worship or lords day as being changed to the first day. There just isn’t the undeniable word that says Thou shalt where Sunday worship is concerned.

The OT scripture clearly states that Sabbath was set aside for rest. This whole arguement on what day is lawful for worship is a distraction. Any day is a good day for worship and to find salvation. Shabbat is for resting (with the assumed intent that you would focus on God and be thankful for the rest). I don't care what day you worship God; you should be doing that every day.

 

[Abiyah]

The OT scripture clearly states that Sabbath was set aside for rest. This whole arguement on what day is lawful for worship is a distraction. Any day is a good day for worship and to find salvation. Shabbat is for resting (with the assumed intent that you would focus on God and be thankful for the rest). I don't care what day you worship God; you should be doing that every day.

Hi there dcookcan !

I completely agree with your quote stated above, Ruben's post is seemingly a distraction to the topic of this thread ! lol lol lol "But", I must say that what you have written with regards to the Shabbat is so true, we are to put our "rest", our "peace of mind", in Him Every day, and we are to learn of Him EVERY day { Matthew 11:29, where Jesus Christ say's " learn of Me"], and I believe that would be EVERY day of the week, and not JUST merely one day of the week. Now, back to the topic of "this" thread, what are your thoughts on "Ye shall know THEM by their fruits" ? lol lol lol !!!

Abiyah

 

[Ruben]

Abiyah, sorry you couldn't consider my input valid and in keeping with the subject matter. I just wanted to express my views that the verse in question does not give anyone licence to pass God's judgement on anyone else, based solely on a disagreement of interpretation. I will sit back and monitor while those that know the only true understanding of the scriptures discuss. Teach me.

 

[BibleJunky]

I personally believe it refers to one's traits.

However, it has been said that he was referring to one's doctrine.

There is however alot of people that think that's talking about outward WORKS. this is a fallacy. Fruits are not works, mearly a manfistation of those fruits. (or traits or doctrines)

How's that for a explaination? :bday:

BibleJunky

 

[Abiyah]

Well thank you BibleJunky for your insight !


Abiyah

 

[BibleJunky]

Well thank you BibleJunky for your insight !


Abiyah

No problem at all, I normally don't enter doctrine debates or "discussions" (arguments are what they should be called). But I thought this one, I know a little about, so, I can offer my explaination. what troubles me, are the one's who debate finer points of theology. this is wasted time, and unprofitable to us believers. it's time wasted, time we should be busy about the things of the Lord. (Such as WINNING THE LOST to Christ!) :

BibleJunky :-D :bday: