Correct Identification

Matthew 7

15 “Beware of false prophets who come disguised as harmless sheep but are really vicious wolves. 16 You can identify them by their fruit, that is, by the way they act. Can you pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? 17 A good tree produces good fruit, and a bad tree produces bad fruit. 18 A good tree can’t produce bad fruit, and a bad tree can’t produce good fruit. 19 So every tree that does not produce good fruit is chopped down and thrown into the fire. 20 Yes, just as you can identify a tree by its fruit, so you can identify people by their actions.”

Ya know, people love to throw around that “judge not, least ye be judged” stuff, but you rarely hear anyone quoting Jesus when He says “you can identify people by their actions.” Yeah. Jesus doesn’t want us to be timid in calling a spade a spade. Nor does He want us to be seduced by false prophets. He certainly doesn’t want us to be bullied into not identifying sinful behavior and warning others about it. Now, sinful behavior by pagans is normal. Sinful behavior by those who claim to want to follow Christ is not! THOSE are the folks to call out. Sinful behavior is the behavior to correct, rebuke, and of which to repent. Identifying people by their behavior is our responsibility.