"These [in Berea] were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so." - Acts 17:11

(16) By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? (17) Likewise every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. (18) A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit.

New International Version copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society

Combining the principle that whatever is sown will also be reaped (Galatians 6:7-8) with the tendency towards increase means that no matter what a person sows—unless somebody or something intervenes and interrupts the cycle—more will be produced than was sown.

Living according to Christian standards, morals, and ethics can be faked for a while. Consider these verses: "Every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit." Christian standards, morals, and ethics can be faked for a while, but no matter how guarded a person is, the fruits he produces will betray him. The principle Jesus teaches is also present in the Old Testament, written by Moses in Numbers 32:23, "Be sure your sin will find you out."

Bitterness, divisiveness, envy, jealousy, lethargy, and other faults of character will eventually show. One cannot accurately predict how much fruit will be produced because too many variables are involved. However, because of the principle of increase over what was originally sown—whether good or evil—there is every likelihood that more will be produced than was sown.

— John W. Ritenbaugh

To learn more, see:
Every Action Has a Reaction



 

Topics:

Bearing Fruit

Bitter Envy

Bitterness

Envy

Ethics

Every Action Has a Reaction

Fruit, Bearing

Fruits, Knowing by

Increase, Principle of

Jealousy

Knowing them by their Fruits

Lethargy

Principle of Increase

Reaping and Sowing

Reaping and Sowing Principle

Sowing and Reaping

Standards of Morality

Your Sin will Find You Out




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