As we review the scripture in Matthew 7, there must have been a real danger of false prophets for Jesus to mention these people several times during his ministry. They presumed on God and made assumptions about themselves that they had the right to speak God’s message. From the warning that Jesus gives about these people and his advice in the verses 16 to 20, we can ask ourselves what understandings are necessary to derive from the advice of Jesus. How can we interpret these verses?
The obvious understanding of the Scripture is not speaking about judging people but being fruit inspectors just as certain as we would for trees. What they put forth, what is presented to the world, not only can but should be analyzed for our own sakes. There are people who judge instead of inspecting fruits while displaying a judgmental, critical spirit, false piety, and a hypocritical attitude. If we do not know the boundary between being judgmental or inspecting fruit, we can cut off the potential for witnessing or encouraging growth in another people. The tendency would be to categorize people thereby limiting any prospects in working with them. This goes further into the effects on the church. People who are judgmental, gossip, create contention, and confusion within the body of Christ create an unhealthy environment.
A better way to look at the idea of inspecting fruit and not being judgmental is to ask ourselves who do I need as a part of my life to enhance what I am. This might require us to cut off some relationships. It should not be done in a hostile manner. But we must protect ourselves. We have at stake our own emotional stability. Not only that, if we do not expect the fruit of other people, they could put a negative slant on our social and even financial standing. All in all, we must guard our own spiritual strength so that we are able to glorify God. It is perfectly legitimate to inspect the fruit of other people. When we do so it is not judging them. It is allowing them to be who they decide to be while we decide for our own well-being.
We must be realistic and accept the practical understanding of what it is to inspect the fruit of other people. When we do so we are applying a warning within ourselves against those who are unhealthy, who do not live a life conforming to the Bible. We must figuratively draw a circle around ourselves that is a barrier against negativity from the outside world. While we maintain a healthy understanding of other people, we must decide how to live a positive spiritual life because we, too, will be examined for the fruit that we bear. Any value that we have for other people will only take place if we have a strong standing in the world protecting ourselves while serving God. We must be careful because it’s easy to fall into the pit of being judgmental. We can fall victim to superficiality within ourselves while warding off what it is in other people.
Keep in mind that it is not up to us to judge others as persons. We are judging their behavior and attitude. We are also evaluating their effect on our spiritual condition whether it promotes us to a higher standing or diminishes how we function in the world. We all have our frailties. We should be patient and kind while at the same time watching out for ourselves. Scripture says, “Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that you may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.” (James 5:16) This is not rejecting people. It is living on a higher plane that perhaps we could help them. We must ask ourselves if we are already living on that higher plane that makes it possible for us to inspect fruit. Are others devout in their Christian life, are they faithful in supporting their church. This is not a challenge of other people’s opinions. It is how they conform to the Bible.
Christian Writer 