Jesus says in Matthew 12:33-37 and Luke 6:43-45, every tree is distinguished by the kind of fruit it produces—bad or good fruit (character)—and Galatians 5:16-26 describes both the fruit (works) of the flesh and the fruit of the Holy Spirit, but as a “parable” it could be, as sinners, we are a sour lemon, receiving Jesus Christ we become a sweet orange, as we begin to mature in Christ, we become a large, sweet pineapple, and at full Christian maturity, we become the orchard, with God’s fullness, for 1 Corinthians 6:15-20 says when we are joined to the Lord, we two become one spirit, in the same way a husband and wife become one flesh.
Proverbs 11:1-31 exposes the fruit (character) of the righteous (full of being right with God) and the wicked (character as satanic evil as concrete or stone)
Proverbs 11:1-31 (NLT)—1 The LORD detests the use of dishonest scales, but He delights in accurate weights. 2 Pride leads to disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom. 3 Honesty guides good people; dishonesty destroys treacherous people. 4 Riches will not help on the day of judgment, but right living can save you from death. 5 The godly are directed by honesty, the wicked fall beneath their load of sin. 6 The godliness of good people rescues them; the ambition of treacherous people traps them. 7 When the wicked die, their hopes die with them, for they rely on their own feeble strength. 8 The godly are rescued from trouble, and it falls on the wicked instead. 9 With their words, the godless destroy their friends, but knowledge will rescue the righteous. 10 The whole city celebrates when the godly succeed; they shout for joy when the wicked die. 11 Upright citizens are good for a city and make it prosper, but the talk of the wicked tears it apart. 12 It is foolish to belittle one’s neighbor; a sensible person keeps quiet. 13 Gossip goes around telling secrets, but those who are trustworthy can keep a confidence. 14 Without wise leadership, a nation falls; there is safety in having many advisers.
15 There is danger in putting up security for a stranger’s debt; it is safer not to guarantee another person’s debt. 16 A gracious woman gains respect, but ruthless men gain only wealth. 17 Your kindness will reward you, but your cruelty will destroy you. 18 Evil people get rich for the moment, but the reward of the godly will last. 19 Godly people find life; evil people find death. 20 The LORD detests people with crooked hearts, but He delights in those with integrity. 21 Evil people will surely be punished, but the children of the godly will go free. 22 A beautiful woman who lacks discretion is like a gold ring in a pig’s snout. 23 The godly can look forward to a reward, while the wicked can expect only judgment. 24 Give freely and become wealthier; be stingy and lose everything. 25 The generous will prosper; those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed. 26 People curse those who hoard their grain, but they bless the one who sells in time of need. 27 If you search for good, you will find favor; but if you search for evil, it will find you! 28 Trust in your money and down you go! But the godly flourish like leaves in spring. 29 Those who bring trouble on their families inherit the wind. The fool will be a servant to the wise. 30 The seeds of good deeds become a tree of life; a wise person wins friends. 31 If the righteous are rewarded here on earth, what will happen to wicked sinners?
We can pray for God, through Christ Jesus, by the Holy Spirit, to change the character of evil people into Christian character, but every Christian should also be praying for God to change our character to always be in agreement with His plan, purpose, timing, and will; otherwise, we are only “an immature child of God”, and not “a mature Christian adult” (1 Corinthians 13:11-13; Ephesians 4:1-16).
When we become a mature Christian example to others, very few words become necessary.
Jim, Kim, and Tim Nabors
