Mattithyahu (Matthew) 7:16-20 TS2009
[16] “By their fruits you shall know them. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes or figs from thistles?
[17] “So every good tree yields good fruit, but a rotten tree yields wicked fruit.
[18] “A good tree is unable to yield wicked fruit, and a rotten tree to yield good fruit.
[19] “Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.
[20] “So then, by their fruits you shall know them – "
Has not authority been given to the brethren to judge righteously? Does this take the place of the Eternal Elohim, Who is the Ultimate Judge of all? Will you look the other way and let a brother or sister's house burn down?
According to Scripture, we are to judge righteously (John 7:24), not hypocritically (Matthew 7:1-5).
There is a difference between judging a person's fruit, whether good or bad, and placing condemnation on that individual. We, in the body of Messiah, do not have that authority but only YHWH Elohim. We are required, though, to warn the brethren when one is putting forth unrighteous deeds.
Ezekiel 3:18 "When I tell the wicked, ‘You will surely die,’ and you give him no warning, nor speak to warn the wicked from his wicked way to save his life, that same wicked man will die in his iniquity; but his blood I will require at your hand."
Now, let me ask you; do you believe judging someone's fruit is not your place? Do you believe it means the person judging is being narcissistic and prideful? Or perhaps it is because giving or receiving correction is offensive to you?
When we do not speak up in love to warn a brother or a sister who is in sin, we are not truly loving them but allowing the enemy to continue deceiving them. By remaining silent, YHWH will require their blood be on our hands then will we also be found guilty in His eyes because saying or doing nothing does not show love for another.
Luke 15:10 "In the same way, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of Elohim over one sinner who repents.”
So when we see a tree that yields good fruit, we know this one is of Elohim, but a tree that yields rotten fruit is of the wicked one.
No one who is born of Elohim will continue to sin but the one who willfully defies the Master is like a tree yielding rotten fruit; this one will be cut down and burned.
