What Does "Fruits" Mean in Scripture?

In Matthew 7:16-20 (KJV), when Jesus says, "Ye shall know them by their fruits," He is using "fruits" as a metaphor for the visible evidence of a person’s character, actions, and spiritual life. Just as a tree is known by the fruit it produces, a person is recognized by the way they live and the impact they have on others.

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1. Fruits Represent Our Actions and Character

In the Bible, fruit often symbolizes the results of our beliefs, attitudes, and actions. If someone truly follows Christ, their life should reflect His teachings through love, kindness, humility, and obedience to God's Word.

• A good tree (a true believer) produces good fruit (godly actions, righteous living, love, and faith).
• A corrupt tree (a false believer or hypocrite) produces evil fruit (sinful actions, deception, selfishness, and rebellion).

Example: A person who truly follows Jesus will demonstrate love, patience, and faithfulness, while someone who is self-centered or deceitful will show dishonesty, pride, and selfish ambition.

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2. Spiritual Fruits (Galatians 5:22-23, KJV)

Paul gives a list of the "fruit of the Spirit" in Galatians 5:22-23, which describes the characteristics of a life led by the Holy Spirit:

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law."

These are the qualities that grow in a believer who is walking with God and allowing the Holy Spirit to transform their heart.

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3. Bad Fruit: Works of the Flesh (Galatians 5:19-21, KJV)

Just as there is good fruit, the Bible also warns of bad fruit—which are the works of the flesh.

Galatians 5:19-21 (KJV) lists these as:
"Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,
Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,
Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like…"

These actions oppose the will of God and show a heart that is not surrendered to Him.

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4. Producing Good Fruit Comes from Abiding in Christ (John 15:4-5, KJV)

Jesus teaches that believers can only bear good fruit if they remain connected to Him:

"Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.
I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing."
(John 15:4-5, KJV)

• Just like a branch needs the tree to produce fruit, we need Jesus to grow in righteousness.
• If we stay connected to Him—through prayer, reading the Word, and obedience—our lives will naturally bear good fruit.

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Conclusion: Our Fruit Proves Who We Are

Jesus' teaching in Matthew 7:16-20 is a clear warning: What we do, how we live, and how we treat others reveal our true spiritual condition.

• If we follow Christ, our lives will bear good fruit—love, righteousness, and faithfulness.
• If we live in sin or hypocrisy, our lives will bear bad fruit—selfishness, pride, and sin.

This passage reminds us to examine our lives and ensure that we are walking in obedience to God, bearing fruit that glorifies Him. 

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