Bible Study Seattle

“Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits. Grapes are not gathered from thorn bushes nor figs from thistles, are they? So every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot produce bad fruit, nor can a bad tree produce good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. So then, you will know them by their fruits.” Matthew 7:15-20

In the first century, trees were taxed. If you had a worthless tree that produced only bad fruit, you would cut it down, so you wouldn’t have to pay taxes on a tree that produced nothing. Jesus used this as an illustration for the Judgment. Trees have a certain season to produce fruit. But after a while, that season passes. So it will be at the judgment. The season for us to produce fruits of the spirit will be several centuries long, but not eternal.