You will know them by their fruit

In February 2025 I had a dream of a man being interviewed. He was very shy and meek in front of the camera, saying how grateful he was and how humbled he was to be the subject of the interview. Once the camera was switched off, his demeanor immediately changed. He became arrogant and aggressive. Then I heard his name spoken. His name was Wolf.

How can we tell who is a son in God’s kingdom and who is a wolf?

15 “Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. 16 By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thorn bushes, or figs from thistles? 17 Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them. [Matt 7:15 NIV]

What does fruit look like?

I went to a beautiful church service this Easter Friday morning. My heart was heavy with some difficult situations I was experiencing, unsure about what to do or how to proceed. On the side of the stage was a huge cross almost reaching to the ceiling. At the foot of the cross was a basket with some loose pieces of paper nearby. We were encouraged to write on the paper what answers we are seeking from God and to put our requests in the basket. I sat for the longest time contemplating what to write. There were so many things I could write. In the end, it came down to one thing, one word, ‘Love’. I want to know God’s love and to be able to love, even in the difficulty.

When I sat down again I heard His voice resonate in my heart. He said ‘To love will never not hurt’. That seemed like a strange phrase but I understood it. Jesus was betrayed and abandoned. He also knew in advance who would betray him and who would abandon him and yet he still loved. Love, however is not some ooey-gooey, co-dependent behaviour. Healthy boundaries protect love. Consequences are our best teachers. Fruit looks like choosing to keep love in our hearts when wolves manage to damage and devour in their arrogance and selfishness.

5 For just as we share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ, so also our comfort abounds through Christ. [2 Cor 1:5 NIV]

Did I read that correctly? We share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ? Abundantly? The pharisees persecuted Christ. He accused them of turning his temple into a den of robbers, a place for the lawless. The lawless ones persecuted Christ and will persecute those in Christ. The pharisees didn’t look lawless, however. They looked respected, pure and righteous. Yet Jesus called them a brood of vipers, inwardly deceptive, poisonous and evil. They are wolves in sheep’s clothing. These are the ones doing the persecuting.

Only those who truly love Jesus will be willing and able to share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ, experience his comfort, and continue in His love.