How do we discern a false teacher by their fruits? 

Discern a teacher’s TEACHING, rather than the teacher. Duh 🙄 I knew that, but you just reinforced it simply. Always love your analysis.

Many people think it means to judge somebody by their actions or character but that is not the context, the actual context to judge them by their fruit means to judge their teachings to the word of God.

I agree with this and I also think the meaning of love has been lost and replaced with bland 'just be nice' mentality as opposed to something much harder: self-sacrifice.

Melissa, you make some really great distinctions here including, "we need to follow truth and not people". And, what is the content of their teaching, and asking what is the effect of their teaching? So good! I would love a longer video on this specific topic! This was very helpful to me! Thank you!!🙂

Melissa, you have such a gentle, Christlike approach to dealing with these big questions.

So many Chirstians think showing love is being nice, but what is considered nice has changed.

My litmus test has evolved to be the following: • Wealth accumulation & materialism • Transgenderism • Homosexuality/sodomy & same-sex marriage • Science that challenges what is written in Genesis • Abortion In essence, ask them their positions on things prevalent in society that are anti-Biblical and that might get them cancelled. Beware of so-called pastors or priests who don't directly answer any of the above with a definitive opinion backed by scripture. A lot like to deflect with non sequiturs.

Thank you! "Follow truth not people".

Truth determines what is good. The source of truth is God.

Okay the “3 x 6” example had me LOLing for a good few mins 😅. That aside, this was golden! Thank you for shedding light on this topic because it seems to be a real issue these days in the church. We should always be testing the teaching of leaders against the Bible and the true fruit that they bear. God bless! ☺️

Always go back to the Scriptures. God didn't just give us His word to read, it's there to remind us of what truth really is about. Thank you for this great reminder Melissa! May God bless you, and also, I can't wait for your new book!

Bless your soul, dear Melissa. We were starved of this truth for so long.

"Niceness" makes me think of being lukewarm. It also reminds me of the Alphabet crew and their words of love, love everyone, don't be a hater, also reminds me of the middle way, the path of least resistance, the broad path that silences rebukes and opposing beliefs, while calling good evil and evil good. Jesus wants passion, He wants us alive and on fire or as cold as steel, filled with his word, at the ready for whatever we can do, in whatever capacity in building Christ's Kingdom for His glory. Hallelujah!

Thank you, Melissa! In my pre-k classroom, I introduced the Fruits of the Spirit to my class. Every week we take each area of fruit - Joy, Peace, Patience, etc. all the way to the last one - self-control and I discuss at a basic introductory level to place a seed of faith which I pray will be taken back to their homes to share with their families. Lord bless you 😀

Bear fruit in keeping with repentance. Your fruit can be "nice" or "good" or "friendly" or even "loving" according to worldly standards and still not be in keeping with repentance.

My biggest fear is what if I think I’m a sheep and I’m not and just don’t know it. How can I tell I am really a sheep myself?

Good stuff😊 Galatians 5:24 And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.

Amennnn. Very good message from our Sister in Christ Jesus.

Before we can determine who is or is not producing good fruit we must specify exactly what good fruit is.

This is a wonderful truth !!

This is awesome that you just posted this today because I’ve been studying up a bit on this passage of scripture in order to teach for children’s Sunday school this weekend. I learned through context it’s about false teachers but the lesson content seems to focus more on ANY individual’s fruit and someone’s integrity.. Can that still be applicable?? I loathe these light footed lessons (curriculum I am not in control of choosing) that I do my best to apply the Word correctly for these youngsters

You have a wonderful gift of teaching. I just pray that the whole world would follow Truth.

You are just cracking me up. "Everybody's just a walking "coexist" sticker." Man, that is a good line.

When I feel forgotten and hopeless Lord let your water of life comfort me. Even though I fell on hard times these pass three years. I’m holding on and keeping faith even though it’s hard. Faith is our armor against the enemy. I keep faith even as I constantly struggle to provide for my children and I constantly struggle to buy groceries. My husband died years ago. At times I feel so alone especially as a single mom. Since suffering a heart attack two years ago and my on going battle with lupus I’m overwhelmed and discouraged. Both of my sons are autistic but because of you Lord they are thriving. I’m now homeschooling them so my hours to work are limited. I’m afraid Lord. Afraid of homelessness. Thankfully I have you Lord! I know you will continue to provide you have this far. I LOVE YOU HEAVENLY FATHER. ❤

Matthew 15:1-20 is also good to read in regards to this question. "teachings for commandments the doctrines of men" and the WORDS of man can also reveal the state of their heart towards God.

i wish i could click like several times! good job Melissa!

It helps to know the original greek word for fruit means "result". Know them by their results

Definitely helped. Praise God! Blessings to youand yours in our Blessed Lord Jesus Christ!

Great job, Melissa! You laid out all facts and covered all the points! Awesome video!

Lucifer presenting as an angel of light is so nice he wants you to do whatever makes you happy. As Aliester Crowley said “do as thou wilt”.

Can someone help me understand something? As believers we are supposed to have fruits of the spirit. What if we do most of the time but we fall and have a fit of rage by accident? Does this mean we are not born again? From my understanding we are still sinners but now fight against the flesh and try to walk in the spirit with the help of the Holy Spirit but we will still fall short and get back up until we get our glorified bodies.

False teachers fruit only lasts a short time and truth last for eternity.

Tambien por sus enseñanzas

Melissa, this was such a good description especially for someone who is living in the middle of Utah. Everyone does some good things and everyone does some bad things, so to equate works with fruit is misguided like you said. I totally agree that the content of the teaching is what should be looked into. No tree produces fruit all year long so time will reveal whether it is good or bad fruit. Lying is an example of bad fruit and can be checked against the Truth of the Word. Sadly, this takes a little discernment and many people would rather take some PERSON's, who they deem has authority, word for it.

We follow truth and not people! ❤ such wise words, love that

I like how you take a look from various angles..i guess generally speaking..your fruit should be good but it should unite with living out the truth of God while exhibiting qualities of the fruit of the spirit...but also ....seeds take a while to develop fruit..so be considate while watching people grow

Good job, Melissa. When we hear of read the term "fruit", I think many Christians default to Galatians 5 only. We think, then, that fruit is all about character and niceness, as you said, when there is much more to it.

Thank you. This was a helpful video

Good answer Melissa. Thanks for sharing.

Obedience to the Law, the Ten Commandments written on the heart, is love. The first four define love for God, the final six define love for our neighbours. Isaiah 8:19-20 “And when they shall say unto you, Seek unto them that have familiar spirits, and unto wizards that peep, and that mutter: should not a people seek unto their God? for the living to the dead? To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, [it is] because [there is] no light in them.”

“time is the best tattletale…” very true…

This was a great explanation!

Thank you so much, Melissa. I love your clear and insightful videos. ❤

Could you please do a video on Kevin Zadai. I have lost my daughter to his crazy ministry.

I am thinking of James's words: James 3:14-17 (ESV): But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. 15 This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. 16 For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. 17 But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere.

Thank uou

We have to remember that false teachers are said to be “wolves in sheep’s clothing.” Meaning that they will LOOK like the church. Great teaching Melissa!

Amen! Trust in the Lord!

Thank you for posting this.

Careful and clear. Thank you!

I truly enjoy this message.

Thank you for sharing your gift(s) A 99% likeness of fruit/fruits is stability.... A 99% likeness of fruitful is stable..... A 99% likeness of unfruitful is unstable. "The fruit of the Spirit" is "Our stability of the Truth" Have a great rest of the day!

Good points, we are not called to be fruit inspectors, I know many people that are not Christians, but they are nice people and would help you in any way they knew how. Fruit is not what saves us, it is believing the gospel of Christ that is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believes.

Thank you melissa,

Good video. great breakdown. i love how you use the bible to answer people's questions..

that was super clear, thanks!

"Time will tattle tale" I love that LOL!

Thank you so much for this! The world, including those who call themselves Christians, really need this.

Melissa, hey I was wondering if you could research and post a video on the book of Enoch? Our pastor has read it, and encouraged our congregation to read it last week. I’m uneasy about the book. I’ve done a little of my own digging, and the book of Enoch seems to suggest that Enoch is called “the Son of Man” in a passage. I do not want to read it, I feel led to stay away from it. You are so amazing at researching topics and presenting information. Just a request. 😊 Pretty please. I need your wisdom in this area. 🙏🏻

We forget that the fruit are active concrete words in the culture that wrote them, versus the philosophical abstract terms we see them as now. Something that seems fairly easy to understand for some like "self control" is not that easy when you realize this means taking responsibility to govern yourself...something our society, much less most of our families, do not teach us. We don't even see how much we pass that responsibility onto others (it can be as simple as blaming your children for what a stressed out mom you are...). I have started to understand it by studying some of Nicholeen Peck's teaching self governance material (she's a Mormon but the info is pretty biblically solid). We don't know what we don't know until we study for ourselves.

Can you please tell us your thoughts on Jenny Weaver?

Absolutely true! However, it is also good to remember that sometimes the fruit of a believer is simply immature. A grape that is in its formative stages in early spring is far different in quality and flavor from a fully ripened grape in autumn. 😉

thank you! this video helped me

God knows everyones heart ... He sees

I think pride is an important factor. Pride draws attention to self (and away from God’s word) and the puffing up of others with shallow words could be for return puffing up. Jesus said to do things not expecting a return favor.

Matthew 7:12-14 provides further context: what are they teaching, the hard way (narrow gate - good fruit), or the easy way (wide gate - bad fruit)? The New Age movement, progressive Christianity, the prosperity gospel, etc. are all about the wide gate, the easy path, which only leads to destruction.

I think an issue I run into in this scenario is what standard do we use to gauge that this person has done enough good fruits to categorize them as a "true" prophet as opposed to a false one? It's much easier in say weightlifting we can see how well an individuals squats, benches, or deadlifts. We can even gauge a specific expectation of an amount of weight one needs to lift to be considered a "true" weightlifter. How do we tell prior to someone passing away and going into heaven, whether or not that they will make it to heaven?

Judge them by their doctrine

Just brilliant come back Melissa to that question,keep it up sweetie,praise Jesus🙏💗🇬🇧

While I agree with the message of judging teaching by the Bible I'm uncomfortable with that being most if not all of the explanation. Too often an issue makes us fortify against one attack and not see the sucker punch. The real message of the fruit of the tree, is actually good works. Now, I would qualify there are two types of works: of the flesh and of the spirit. Truth is working in only the latter. Tell me your faith. Show me your works. I've worked in many churches. Lots of abuse happens because a "jerk" as you put it, was speaking truth. The truth is these people get into positions bc they are only evaluated on their truthfulness. Not their character. I could go on. Love the content. Keep on going! Look forward to the book!

Glad you shut that potato thing down I could see that spreading like wildfire in my state. :) On a serious note, thanks for sharing. Glad you brought it back to teaching, wrestling with progressives here unfortunately and they rarely teach Jesus though the title of every sermon often has His name but then never actually talk about Him. It's like the scriptures are merely launching point to teach their own opinions and then back them by other peoples opinions.

physical fruits and spiritual fruits are different, spiritual knowledge, spiritual revelations, spiritual wisdom about Redemption. this is the Fruits that says we are a Mature Christian and that we can teach others. Hebrews 6:1. with out spiritual fruits it is hard to see the kingdom of God.

Good point. When I ask people why they don’t like Trump it’s 9 times out of 10 a personal character answer. I try to appeal to them through reason and reply with his actions (policy & executive orders which helped us people as a whole) but most opposers seem to judge solely on character than teachings. 🤷🏻‍♂️

You are fantastic!😯

People get mixup with good works and fruits of the Spirit All fruits of the Spirit glorify Jesus as God and only God is Good.

This was great❤

How do "fruits of the Spirit, differ from "good works?"

I suspect the fig tree Jesus cursed had shriveled fruit. As usual, another fine analysis. Be a blessing.

So good ❤

Another way to discern the spirit of religion in others is to observe the spiritual fruit they offer you. The religious Pharisees always offer threats, guilt, shame, condemnation, and fear of punishment.

Excellent

I love your podcasts

Many people think good fruit means people who are smooth talkers that can sell ice in Alaska in the winter. They produce "good" fruit.

Great job breaking this down. Thank you. ✝️🙏❤️😊🙌

"Surely what they say is true" Don't call me Shirley.😁 Good stuff - hadn't really thought about the need to define "fruit". I've had Galatians 5:22-23 memorized for a while, as well as John 15:5-8, but hadn't drawn the connection - thank you.

Amen

The fruit of the Holy Spirit is love, joy, peace, gentleness, goodness, self-control, faithfulness, long suffering, and humility. Words aren’t a part of it. Part of the problem is a general lack of discernment in christians. They cannot discern the Holy Spirit from the fake so they need concrete rules. In general, judging by teaching really boils down to judge a teacher by the degree to which what they say agrees with your view. This is a good way to close yourself off from instruction. The Bearens searched the scripture which means they studied ALL of the scriptures, not the isolated verses. And Paul and company lived good character out before them. When a person lives the scripture, it cannot but be seen in how they handle adversity, how they control themselves, how they care for others including choosing truth over polite. “Nice” isn’t part of the measure. Jesus wasn’t nice all the time, but He demonstrated those fruits mentioned above.

3x6 is potato - this is why I love you!

So a question. Where is good teaching in the fruit of the spirit

Catholicism vs Relativism 💫

Random comment- is your small necklace from Noonday Collection!? PS- great explanation. I was recently trying to expose new age in the Church to someone close and this is the biggest thing to them.

Speak the truth in love. Interesting that your two examples were of truth without love, and love without truth. Since God is both truth and love, both are important.

When Jesus said this, there was no Bible to check against. There were scriptures, yes, but the scribes had a hard time believing the truth. I think what this means is that over time, the truth of the person's "fruits" will be made manifest. If some put their teachings into action, what is the result? It takes time to really get to know someone and see what fruits come from their teaching.

Of course the mystic knows people by their fruits, how else?! The fruits are the persistent behavior of individuals coupled with their motivations, which are more subtle to perceive. Many Christians, especially fundamental, evangelical Christians, will be crying, Lord, Lord, because their lives are discompassionate and they are ignorant of the Truth. Indeed, narrow is the gate, and so few find it!

The very first thing to know would be to ask yourself, “Am I walking in the Fruit of the Holy Spirit, myself?” Look at Galatians 5 Matthew 7 John 15

❤

Paul warns the Galations not to accept any other Gospel than the one he preached, even if it was preached by an angel.

If there is no goodness in what they say .which is a fruit jesus said God is good

In my experience, it desribes Jehovah Witnesses people. They always think that they're "good fruits."

I haven't watched the video yet, but this could be overcomplicating something simple. I hope that I am incorrect, but in the sad case that I am not, allow me to simplify a simple concept: "You will know McDonald's by its service." "You will know Macintosh by its OS." "You will know the dog trainer by the dog's ability to perform tricks." You will know the tree by its fruit. That's it. Easy. Simple. Unconfusing: You can see the evidence which proves the goodness or badness of the thing simply by experiencing it yourself or seeing the ultimate results. Meritocracy.