Matthew 7:19

Friday, 14 February 2025   Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Matthew 7:19   “Every tree not producing good fruit, it is exscinded, and it is cast into fire” (CG).   In the previous verse, Jesus noted that a good tree cannot bear bad fruit. Likewise, a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. Having said that, He continues with, “Every tree not producing good fruit, it is exscinded.”   The words are in accord with what John the Baptist had already said –   “But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism, he said to them, ‘Brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? 8 Therefore bear fruits worthy of repentance, 9 and do not think to say to yourselves, “We have Abraham as our father.” For I say to you that God is able to raise up children to Abraham from these stones. 10 And even now the ax is laid to the root of the trees. Therefore every tree which does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.’” Matthew 3:7-10   The clear implication is that the words of Jesus in this chapter subtly point to the Pharisees and Sadducees as false prophets. In that state, they need a completely new nature in order to no longer be set for destruction. If not, they will remain bad trees. As such, each is set to be exscinded, “and it is cast into fire.”   The words here are pointing to truths set forth in the Law of Moses –   “When you besiege a city for a long time, while making war against it to take it, you shall not destroy its trees by wielding an ax against them; if you can eat of them, do not cut them down to use in the siege, for the tree of the field is man’s food. 20 Only the trees which you know are not trees for food you may destroy and cut down, to build siegeworks against the city that makes war with you, until it is subdued.” Deuteronomy 20:19, 20   The point of this precept in Deuteronomy is that a battle is being fought, there is an extended siege against a strong city, and the trees that are for food, meaning those which bear fruit, are to not be cut down. But this would be inclusive of trees that bear bad fruit, which is what Jesus now refers to.   Trees are equated with people at times. There are those who bear fruit, and there are those who do not. An example of this is found in Psalm 1 –   “He shall be like a tree Planted by the rivers of water, That brings forth its fruit in its season, Whose leaf also shall not wither; And whatever he does shall prosper.” Psalm 1:3   From a New Testament perspective, we can look at the words of Deuteronomy in relation to Paul’s words concerning warfare in 2 Corinthians 10. While Christians are waging war and pulling down strongholds, we shouldn’t destroy the work of those who are bearing fruit.   They are productive even if they are not actively engaged with us in our own battle. As Jesus said succinctly, “For he who is not against us is on our side” (Mark 9:40). Moses’ words concerning trees certainly extend to this spiritual application in our Christian warfare.   As for the words of Deuteronomy 20:20, there is a strong emphasis in them, “Only – tree which you know that not tree for food, it, you may destroy.” The tree, which is not for food, is set in complete contrast to those that are. Of such trees, they may be chopped down and employed in building siegeworks.   Again, the words of Deuteronomy anticipate the words of Jesus in His coming ministry. He, speaking under the law to Israel, provides His words in the gospels concerning the trees that bear bad fruit.   The fact that John brought up Abraham in Matthew 3 (cited above) shows that what is being referred to is righteousness by faith, not through the law. Those who share a false gospel of works-based righteousness, such as the Hebrew Roots movement, can be – as it were – cut down and used in the siege.   In other words, they become the very instruments for defeating the enemy. Using their doctrine as an example of what is useless for man, they are to be cut down – verbally destroyed – in order to provide the proper employment of the gospel to destroy the enemy.   The lesson is that of apologetics, meaning using that which is of no value as an example to argue against in order to defend the faith and then go on the offensive. Having said that, the truth that John and Jesus are both ultimately referring to being cast into hell cannot be dismissed. Those who teach a false message will be cut off from the presence of God.   Life application: Paul was a Pharisee. He is one of the people the words of John, and now Jesus, referred to. And yet, Paul was called out of that darkness into the light of Christ. This shows that despite the nature of the tree, meaning bad fruit, the symbolism is not to be applied permanently to an individual.   In other words, a person with a bad nature and who bears bad fruit can be changed. As such, despite speaking against their false doctrine, we should also be speaking to them personally, imploring them through reason to change and be converted. Even heretics can see the light and change. This is what our presenting proper doctrine should be directed to.   Lord God, help us to always be about the business of learning Your word. Each day of our lives, may we pick it up, read it, and study it, contemplating what You are telling us and molding our minds more and more to align with Your will. May it be so to Your glory. Amen.