Good Fruits
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Definition and Significance:
In biblical terminology, "good fruits" often symbolize the visible manifestations of a righteous and faithful life. These fruits are the outcomes of living in accordance with God's will and are frequently contrasted with "bad fruits," which represent sinful or ungodly behaviors. The concept of bearing good fruits is integral to Christian teachings, emphasizing the importance of actions that reflect one's faith and commitment to God's commandments.

Biblical References:

1. Matthew 7:17-20 :
"Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. So then, by their fruit you will recognize them."
· This passage underscores the principle that true faith is evidenced by the quality of one's actions. Just as a tree is known by its fruit, a person's character and faith are revealed through their deeds.

2. Galatians 5:22-23 :
"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law."
· Here, the Apostle Paul lists the "fruit of the Spirit," which are the virtues that should be evident in the life of a believer. These attributes are considered the good fruits that result from living in harmony with the Holy Spirit.

3. John 15:5, 8 :
"I am the vine; you are the branches. The one who remains in Me, and I in him, will bear much fruit. For apart from Me you can do nothing... This is to My Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, proving yourselves to be My disciples."
· Jesus uses the metaphor of the vine and branches to illustrate the necessity of remaining connected to Him in order to produce good fruits. Bearing much fruit is a testament to one's discipleship and brings glory to God.

4. Colossians 1:10 :
"so that you may walk in a manner worthy of the Lord and may please Him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God."
· This verse highlights the relationship between good works and spiritual growth. Bearing fruit in good works is a way to live a life pleasing to God and to deepen one's understanding of Him.

Theological Implications:
The concept of good fruits is deeply rooted in the idea of sanctification, the process by which believers are made holy through the work of the Holy Spirit. Good fruits are not merely the result of human effort but are produced through divine influence and grace. They serve as evidence of a transformed life and a genuine relationship with Christ.

Practical Application:
Christians are encouraged to examine their lives for evidence of good fruits, as these are indicators of spiritual health and maturity. Engaging in regular self-reflection, prayer, and study of the Scriptures can help believers cultivate these fruits. Additionally, participation in community and acts of service are practical ways to express and nurture the fruits of the Spirit.

Warnings Against False Fruits:
Scripture warns against those who may outwardly appear to bear good fruits but are inwardly corrupt. In Matthew 7:15-16 , Jesus cautions, "Beware of false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. By their fruit you will recognize them." This serves as a reminder to discern the authenticity of one's own fruits and those of others, ensuring they align with biblical truth and righteousness.
Topical Bible Verses
James 3:17
But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.
Topicalbible.org

James 3:13-18
Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him show out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom.
Topicalbible.org

Colossians 1:10
That you might walk worthy of the Lord to all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;
Topicalbible.org

Proverbs 4:7
Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all your getting get understanding.
Topicalbible.org

Isaiah 1:17
Learn to do well; seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow.
Topicalbible.org

Strong's Hebrew
3581. koach -- a small reptile (of unknown species)
... in a good or a bad sense) or figuratively (capacity, means, produce); also (from
its hardiness) a large lizard -- ability, able, chameleon, force, fruits, might ...
/hebrew/3581.htm - 5k
Library

How the First Coming Has Four Degrees
... In the higher lands, in the middle region of the world, the sun shines upon the
mountains, bringing an early summer there, with good fruits and strong wine ...
/.../john/the adornment of the spritual marriage/chapter viii how the first.htm

Comparison of the Statements of the Four Evangelists Respecting ...
... we shall find that it is impossible that that which has just begun to be cultivated,
even should it not prove fruitless, should bear the first good fruits. ...
/.../origens commentary on the gospel of john/14 comparison of the statements.htm

The Fruits of Justification, or the Merit of Good Works
... Chapter I. The Nature Of Actual Grace Chapter III. The Fruits Of Justification,
Or The Merit Of Good Works. The principal fruit of ...
/.../pohle/grace actual and habitual/chapter iii the fruits of.htm

The Preceding Argument is in no Wise Inconsistent with the Saying ...
... or else make the tree corrupt, and his fruit corrupt," [1108] "clearly enough warning
us that evil fruits do not grow on a good tree, nor good fruits on an ...
/.../augustine/the enchiridion/chapter 15 the preceding argument is.htm

The Parable of the Drag-Net.
... he was not of a bad nature, for a bad nature could not be in righteousness, since
a bad tree"that is wickedness"cannot produce good fruits,"the fruits ...
/.../origen/origens commentary on the gospel of matthew/11 the parable of the.htm

The Peaceable Fruits of Sorrows Rightly Borne
... Flesh calls pain evil, but spirit knows it to be good. ... of his unparalleled pains,
while the prologue tells us that his sufferings were not fruits of his sin ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/the peaceable fruits of sorrows.htm

Of the Active Life
... And for this reason such trees are pruned, and shoots of fruitful trees are grafted
into them, so that they may bear good fruits, savoury and useful to man. ...
/.../john/the adornment of the spritual marriage/chapter i of the active.htm

On the Words of the Gospel, Matt. xii. 33, "Either Make the Tree ...
... 1. The Lord Jesus hath admonished us, that we be good trees, and that so
we may be able to bear good fruits. For He saith, "Either ...
/.../sermons on selected lessons of the new testament/sermon xxii on the words.htm

On the Wisdom of this World
... "But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy
to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and ...
/.../swift/three sermons three prayers/on the wisdom of this.htm

How the Holy Brother Bernard of Assisi was Sent by St Francis to ...
... carrying nothing with them but Christ crucified; and because they were of the true
Vine, which is Christ, they produced great and good fruits in many souls ...
/.../ugolino/the little flowers of st francis of assisi/chapter v how the holy.htm

Resources
Is “the road to hell is paved with good intentions” a true statement? | GotQuestions.org

What does it mean to do good unto all men in Galatians 6:10? | GotQuestions.org

What is the Good News Bible (GNB) / Today's English Version (TEV)? | GotQuestions.org

Good: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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Subtopics

Good

Good and Evil

Good and Evil: Choice Between, by Adam and Eve

Good and Evil: Conflict Between

Good and Evil: Exhortation to Choose Between

Good and Evil: Subjective Conflict Between

Good Communication

Good Deeds

Good for Evil: General Scriptures Concerning

Good for Evil: Returning: Abraham, to Abimelech

Good for Evil: Returning: David, to his Enemies

Good for Evil: Returning: David, to Saul

Good for Evil: Returning: Elisha, to the Syrians

Good for Evil: Returning: Jesus, to his Crucifiers

Good for Evil: Returning: Stephen, to his Murderers

Good Friday

Good Friends

Good Fruits

Good Hygiene

Good Intentions

Good Leaders

Good Luck

Good Men

Good Mothers

Good News: General Scriptures Concerning

Good Spirits

Good Works

Related Terms

Good (8348 Occurrences)

Good-by (8 Occurrences)

Good-for-nothing (22 Occurrences)

Good-looking (7 Occurrences)

Good-day (2 Occurrences)

Good-bye (1 Occurrence)

Good-man (1 Occurrence)

Good-news (1 Occurrence)

Seemeth (36 Occurrences)

Sensible (15 Occurrences)

Success (29 Occurrences)

Sown (45 Occurrences)

Yields (21 Occurrences)

Yielding (19 Occurrences)

Zealous (40 Occurrences)

Substitute (3 Occurrences)

Strive (64 Occurrences)

Showing (41 Occurrences)

Spreading (74 Occurrences)

Simple (40 Occurrences)

Agree (24 Occurrences)

Shown (131 Occurrences)

Stored (55 Occurrences)

Sweareth (34 Occurrences)

Submit (36 Occurrences)

Avoid (31 Occurrences)

Assent (3 Occurrences)

Summon (25 Occurrences)

Successful (16 Occurrences)

Sixty (70 Occurrences)

Serving (85 Occurrences)

Slander (34 Occurrences)

Yield (78 Occurrences)

Sowing (28 Occurrences)

Springs (59 Occurrences)

Soil (59 Occurrences)

Sinful (61 Occurrences)

Stedfast (84 Occurrences)

Stoics (1 Occurrence)

Subjection (40 Occurrences)

Seemed (89 Occurrences)

Specially (26 Occurrences)

Sense (195 Occurrences)

Seems (99 Occurrences)

Satisfied (110 Occurrences)

Yielded (28 Occurrences)

Quality (14 Occurrences)

Visitation (17 Occurrences)

Zealously (4 Occurrences)

Quite (55 Occurrences)

Saved (183 Occurrences)

Ahaziah (34 Occurrences)

Striving (33 Occurrences)

Sharing (18 Occurrences)

Sharers (14 Occurrences)

Shared (21 Occurrences)

Saltiness (3 Occurrences)

Slandered (8 Occurrences)

Salty (4 Occurrences)

Seemly (10 Occurrences)

Sprang (23 Occurrences)

Serves (14 Occurrences)

Speed (22 Occurrences)

Shim'ei (40 Occurrences)

Self-controlled (9 Occurrences)

Sabbaths (53 Occurrences)

Swears (16 Occurrences)

Saltness (3 Occurrences)

Savior (60 Occurrences)

Sixtyfold (3 Occurrences)

Shelters (9 Occurrences)

Seeds (24 Occurrences)

Strife (71 Occurrences)

Simply (27 Occurrences)

Security (41 Occurrences)

Allowed (64 Occurrences)

Satan (50 Occurrences)

Substance (99 Occurrences)

Good Friends
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