ESOCS Devotional 26 March 2026 – We’re Identified By Our Actions
MEMORY VERSE: ““And any tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown in the fire. So then, you will know the false prophets by what they do.” Luke 7:19-20 GNB
TEXT: MATTHEW 7:15-27
“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. 16 You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles? 17 Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Therefore by their fruits you will know them.
21 “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. 22 Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ 23 And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’
24 “Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: 25 and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock.
26 “But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand: 27 and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall.”
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As humans, and more particularly, as believers or even leaders in the Christian community, our actions speak louder to the public than our words. In the context of our text, Jesus here points out the self-righteous and inconsistent teachings of the religious leaders in ancient Israel. They taught doctrines and stringent religious laws. But their actions were not in harmony with their teachings (Deut. 13:1-3; Acts 13:6; Matt. 24:11). Moreover, Jesus identified these teachers as very religious in nature. However, the true nature of their teachings led people astray. They spoke religious words, but their character led people away from God, (Matt. 23:13-31). They were die-hard hypocrites, and ravenous wolves in sheep’s clothing. In other words, as trees, their fruits were not palatable to their audience. Their moral life was contradictory to their teachings.
In verses 17-20 of our text, Jesus, likening these false teachers and/or leaders to trees, admonishes that we identify them by the conduct of their lives. Jesus insists that a tree with bad fruits is worthless in producing that which is acceptable to God. Religious leaders in this category will meet their destruction in due course of time, (Matt. 3:10, Luke 13:7). The Master teaches that it is the responsibility of Christians to judge the fruit of ones teachings. This indicates that by the word of God, every man’s teaching must be compared with what God says through His Word. This also implies that if one’s teachings do not harmonize with the true Word of God, then such will not produce good fruits for God.
Therefore, children of God, it’s time to sit back and reconsider your position. Whether as teachers, leaders or followers, check what you receive or what you give out. Are they in harmony with the truth of Scripture? Beware! By their fruits, ye shall know them.
Reflections
- No orange tree bears mangoes as fruits. Watch out.
Prayer
- Lord, my God, let Thy Word direct my path.
Further Reading: 1 Samuel 2:27-35; 16:1-13, 1 Corinthians 4:1-8
ESOCS Devotional 26 March 2026
