Jesus tells us that we can recognize a tree by its fruit. He does not mean a literal tree, but instead He uses a tree as imagery to describe us. Like in most parables, Jesus uses what we do understand to explain what we do not. When we go to a tree and we see an apple, we automatically realize that this is an apple tree. The same can be said about us. When you look at the fruit that a person produces, you recognize what kind of tree they are.

This image is not primarily about judging other people. Instead it can be a good litmus test for ourselves. It is good for us to take time and evaluate our actions. What is it that we are doing? Do we find ourselves constantly in sin? Do we strengthen those we contact, or do we bring them down? If we look at our life and find a lot of bad fruit, that should cause us to re-evaluate our relationship with God. Are we really the Christians we think we are if we are producing bad fruit? Would we call a tree with apples an orange tree?

On the other hand, we can also find out if we are who we want to be. Do we find ourselves living righteously and looking for oppurtunities to do good? Are we edifying those we meet? Do we spend time growing closer to the Lord through prayer and study? If we can see these aspects in our lives, it is a good sign that we are doing as we ought to be. We must avoid the danger of making the fruit the most important part though. The fruit is just the result of the most imporant part: a relationship with God. But if we have the relationship with God that we should, the fruit will follow.