Not by Their Gifts, But by Their Fruits You Shall Know Them

Beloved Kingdom citizens,

You live in a time where many voices are speaking. Many claim to represent God. Many display power, knowledge, and spiritual gifts. But you must not be deceived. God never asked you to judge people by their gifts. He asked you to discern them by their fruits.

Jesus made this clear in Matthew 7:16, “You shall know them by their fruits.” He did not say you shall know them by their miracles. He did not say you shall know them by their eloquence. He did not say you shall know them by their popularity. He said you shall know them by their fruits.

A gift can be given. Fruit must be grown.

Gifts are received instantly. Fruits develop over time.

A person can operate in a gift and still live a corrupt life. But a person who produces godly fruit shows evidence of a transformed life.

Look at what the Word says in Matthew 7:22–23. “Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in your name, and in your name cast out devils, and in your name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, you that work iniquity.”

These people had gifts. They prophesied. They cast out devils. They did mighty works. Yet they were rejected. Why? Because their lives were full of iniquity. Their fruits did not match their gifts.

You must understand this truth. Spiritual gifts are not proof of a right relationship with God. Fruits are.

Galatians 5:22–23 tells you what fruit looks like. “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance.”

These are the signs of a life that is rooted in God.

When you see a person full of anger, pride, greed, and immorality, do not be impressed by their gift. Pay attention to their fruit. Gifts can attract you, but fruits reveal the truth.

A mango tree does not struggle to prove itself. It produces mangoes. In the same way, a true servant of God will produce the fruit of righteousness.

You need discernment in this season. Many are carried away by outward displays. Some follow people because of miracles. Others follow because of powerful speaking. But you must look deeper.

Ask yourself simple questions.

Do you see love in their life?

Do you see humility?

Do you see integrity in private and in public?

Do you see consistency in their walk with God?

These are the signs that matter.

In Luke 6:43–44, Jesus said, “For a good tree brings not forth corrupt fruit; neither does a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. For every tree is known by his own fruit.”

A good tree cannot produce bad fruit. A bad tree cannot produce good fruit. The nature of the tree determines the fruit.

So when someone constantly produces bad fruit, do not ignore it. Do not excuse it because of their gift. The fruit is telling you the truth.

Some people are gifted but not transformed. They can speak well, but they do not live well. They can lead others, but they cannot control themselves. This is dangerous.

As a Kingdom citizen, you must not follow gifts blindly. You must follow truth.

Look at the life of Jesus. He operated in power, but He also walked in purity. He healed the sick, but He also lived a life of obedience. His fruits matched His authority.

In John 15:8, it is written, “Herein is my Father glorified, that you bear much fruit; so shall you be my disciples.”

God is glorified not when you display gifts alone, but when you bear fruit.

Fruit is evidence of growth. Fruit is evidence of connection to God. Fruit is evidence of a changed life.

Even in your own life, do not focus only on developing gifts. Focus on developing fruit.

It is possible to pray powerfully and still be unforgiving. It is possible to preach and still live in sin. It is possible to lead and still lack character.

But God is calling you to something deeper.

He wants your life to reflect His nature.

He wants your character to align with His Word.

He wants your fruit to speak louder than your gift.

In 1 Corinthians 13:1–2, the Word says, “Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not love, I am become as sounding brass… And though I have the gift of prophecy… and have not love, I am nothing.”

This is clear. You can have great gifts and still be nothing in the sight of God if you lack love. Love is fruit. Love is the foundation.

Do not chase platforms. Do not chase recognition. Chase transformation.

Let your life produce fruit that honors God.

When people see you, let them see peace in your actions. Let them see patience in your trials. Let them see self-control in your decisions.

These things cannot be faked for long. Fruit exposes the truth over time.

Also be careful not to judge too quickly based on outward appearances. Fruit takes time to grow, but it also becomes visible with time. Be patient, but be observant.

Some may look impressive at first, but their fruit will eventually reveal their true nature. Others may seem simple, but their consistent fruit will prove their authenticity.

Stay rooted in the Word. Stay led by the Spirit. Do not be carried away by every wind of doctrine.

Test everything.

Hold on to what is good.

Reject what is not aligned with God’s Word.

In your journey, ask God for discernment. Pray for spiritual eyes to see beyond appearances.

Hebrews 5:14 says, “Strong meat belongs to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.”

You grow in discernment by practice. The more you stay in the Word, the sharper your discernment becomes.

As a Kingdom citizen, your standard must be high. You represent God. Your life must bear fruit that reflects His kingdom.

Do not settle for a life that looks spiritual on the outside but is empty on the inside.

Let your roots go deep in God.

Let your life produce lasting fruit.

Let your character speak louder than your gift.

In the end, gifts will not open the door for you. Character will.

Your fruits will testify about you.

So examine your life today.

What fruits are you producing?

Are you growing in love?

Are you growing in obedience?

Are you becoming more like Christ in your daily walk?

These are the questions that matter.

Choose to be a good tree.

Choose to produce good fruit.

Walk in truth. Walk in righteousness. Walk in integrity.

And as you do this, your life will become a testimony that no one can deny.

Not by their gifts, but by their fruits, you shall know them.