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“Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.”
— Matthew 7:19
This is one of the most searching statements Jesus ever made. It is simple, but it is final. There is no middle ground. There is no “neutral” tree. There is either good fruit or no good fruit. And every tree without good fruit, Jesus said, “is cut down and thrown into the fire.”
In this passage, Jesus puts before us a fundamental spiritual law:
> By their fruits you will know them.
> (Matthew 7:20)
He does not say, “By their doctrines you will know them,” though doctrine is important.
He does not say, “By their gifts you will know them,” though spiritual gifts are real.
He says, “By their fruits.”
The lyrics of this song simply echo and amplify this central truth. They bring together the words of Jesus in Matthew 7, the preaching of John the Baptist (Matthew 3), and the teaching of Jesus on the vine and branches (John 15). Together they present a sobering message: Christianity is not judged by profession but by production—by the fruit that is visible.
Let us look at what the Word of God says.
---
### a. Matthew 7:19 – Jesus on False Prophets and True Disciples
Matthew 7:19 is found in the Sermon on the Mount, near the end of Jesus’ great teaching on the nature of true kingdom righteousness (Matthew 5–7). The immediate context begins in Matthew 7:15:
> “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves.
> You will know them by their fruits...”
> (Matthew 7:15–16)
Jesus was warning His disciples that not everyone who uses religious language or appears outwardly pious is sent by God. Some appear as sheep, but are wolves. How are we to discern the difference? Not by appearances. Not by eloquence. Not by outward power. But by fruit.
In this context, verse 19 is a solemn warning of divine judgment:
> “Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.”
> (Matthew 7:19)
Jesus is speaking about people under the imagery of trees. God is the Owner of the orchard. He inspects His trees. Those trees that persistently and finally produce no good fruit are cut down. There is no sentimentalism here. Jesus speaks as Judge as well as Savior.
### b. Matthew 3:10 – John the Baptist and the Coming Judgment
The lyrics also quote John the Baptist’s words:
> “The axe is already at the root of the trees,
> and every tree that does not produce good fruit
> will be cut down and thrown into the fire.”
> (Matthew 3:10)
Here John is addressing the religious leaders of Israel—the Pharisees and Sadducees—who came to his baptism. He sees their hypocrisy and warns that external religion without true repentance will not stand.
Notice the urgency:
“The axe is already at the root of the trees.”
Judgment is not far off. It is near. The instrument is already positioned.
### c. John 15:2 – Jesus the True Vine
The lyrics also reflect John 15:
> “He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit,
> while every branch that does bear fruit
> he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.”
> (John 15:2)
Here Jesus speaks to His disciples, not as Judge, but as the True Vine. The Father is the vinedresser. Every branch “in Me” is examined. Fruitfulness is the criterion.
There are two possible dealings of God:
1. No fruit → cut off.
2. Fruit → pruned, so as to bear more fruit.
So we have:
John the Baptist – the axe at the root (repentance and coming judgment).
Jesus in Matthew 7 – fruit as evidence (true and false persons and ministries).
Jesus in John 15 – fruit as the purpose of union with Christ (discipleship and abiding).
These passages, woven together in the lyrics, give a unified message: God is looking for fruit.
---
### a. “Fruit” – Greek: *karpós* (καρπός)
The key word in these passages is “fruit.” The Greek word is καρπός (*karpós*).
* Literal meaning:
*karpós* means fruit, produce, harvest, the natural result of life in a plant or tree.
* Spiritual application:
In the New Testament this word is used for:
Fruit is not something artificially attached. It is the outflow of an inner life. It proves what kind of life is within the tree.
This clarifies the force of Jesus’ words:
> “By their fruits (*karpós*) you will know them.”
> (Matthew 7:20)
Not by their claims, but by the visible outworking of their inner life.
### b. “Cut down” – Greek: *ekkóptō* (ἐκκόπτω)
“Cut down” in Matthew 7:19 is ἐκκόπτεται (*ekkóptetai*).
* Literal meaning: to cut out, cut off, cut down, remove by severing.
The same verb is used in Romans 11 for branches “cut off” from the olive tree (Israel) because of unbelief (Romans 11:17, 19, 20). It speaks of decisive separation.
Thus when Jesus says, “Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down,” He is not speaking of gentle correction. He is speaking of final separation from the place of privilege and life.
Understanding *karpós* and *ekkóptō* sharpens the message of the lyrics:
The issue is not minimal external activity, but genuine spiritual outcome. And where there is a persistent absence of such fruit, there will be a decisive act of God.
---
### Stanza 1
> Every tree that does not bear good fruit
> is cut down and thrown into the fire.
This is a direct citation of Matthew 7:19. There are three key elements:
1. “Every tree”
This is universal. No tree is exempt. This includes:
There is no special category that escapes examination.
2. “Does not bear good fruit”
Note the word “good” (*kalós* in Greek). Jesus is not speaking of activity in general, but of morally and spiritually sound fruit that aligns with God’s character.
“Good fruit” corresponds to:
3. “Cut down and thrown into the fire”
The fire here is a picture of judgment. Compare:
This is not the temporary discipline of believers. This is the final destiny of those who have never truly known Christ, despite religious claims.
### Stanza 2
> Every tree that does not bear good fruit
> is cut down and thrown into the fire.
> By their fruits you will know them—
> good trees bear good fruit, bad trees do not.
Now the song links the warning with the explanation: “By their fruits you will know them” (Matthew 7:20).
Jesus is establishing a principle of spiritual discernment:
> “Even so, 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.”
> (Matthew 7:17–18)
This is an absolute statement. A tree is known by its fruit because the fruit is the inevitable expression of its nature. The same is true spiritually.
There is a sobering implication: Fruit does not make the tree good; it reveals what the tree already is. In the same way, works do not justify us before God (Romans 3:28; Ephesians 2:8–9), but works reveal whether our faith is real (James 2:17–18).
So the lyrics press this issue:
You will be known, not by your profession of faith, but by the product of your life.
### Stanza 3
> The axe is already at the root of the trees,
> and every tree that does not produce good fruit
> will be cut down and thrown into the fire.
Here we shift to the words of John the Baptist (Matthew 3:10). John preached repentance in view of coming judgment.
Three critical truths emerge:
1. The axe is “already” at the root
Judgment is not merely future; it is impending. The picture is of a woodsman poised, axe touching the root, ready to strike. There is no guarantee of more time.
In practical terms, this means:
2. The root of the trees
God is not dealing merely with the branches, but with the root. The root is the inner nature, the unseen source.
Compare:
Religion tends to trim branches. God goes for the root.
3. No fruit, same end: cut down and fire
John emphasizes the same outcome as Jesus: “cut down and thrown into the fire.”
The message is consistent:
### Stanza 4
> He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit,
> while every branch that does bear fruit
> he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.
This stanza echoes John 15:2, which reveals a complementary truth: God deals not only in judgment, but in loving discipline.
Notice:
1. “Every branch in Me”
Here Jesus is speaking about those who are outwardly connected to Him—professing disciples. Not all who outwardly attach themselves to Christ bear fruit. Judas is a solemn example.
2. Two types of branches:
There is no third category. There is no branch that is allowed to remain unexamined and unchanged.
3. Pruning (*kathairō* – to cleanse, purge)
This is the Father’s loving work in true believers. He removes:
Hebrews 12:10–11 explains:
> “He disciplines us for our profit, that we may be partakers of His holiness... afterwards it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.”
Discipline is not rejection; it is preparation for more fruit.
Theologically, John 15 explains how we bear fruit: by abiding in Christ:
> “He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.”
> (John 15:5)
So we see two complementary sides:
### Repeated Refrains
The recurring lines:
> Every tree without good fruit
> will be cut down and thrown into the fire.
> ...
> By their fruits you will know them—
> good trees bear good fruit, bad trees do not.
The repetition is not accidental. Scripture often repeats truths that are essential. Jesus Himself repeats “By their fruits you will know them” twice (Matthew 7:16, 20). The Spirit is underlining this reality:
This compels self-examination:
> “Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves.”
> (2 Corinthians 13:5)
---
### First, We Must Submit to the Axe of Repentance
Before there can be good fruit, there must be a change at the root.
John the Baptist preached:
> “Bear fruits worthy of repentance.”
> (Matthew 3:8)
Repentance in Greek is metanoia—a change of mind that produces a change of direction. It is not mere remorse. It is turning from sin to God.
To submit to the axe means:
This is where true fruitfulness begins: at the cross, where the old man is put to death (Romans 6:6) and a new creation emerges (2 Corinthians 5:17).
### Second, We Must Abide in Christ Daily
Fruit is not produced by effort alone; it is produced by abiding.
Jesus said:
> “Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself,
> unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me.”
> (John 15:4)
Abiding means:
Many Christians are busy, but not abiding. They are active, but not fruitful in God’s estimation. Activity is not fruit. Fruit is Christ’s life reproduced in us and through us.
### Third, We Must Welcome the Pruning of the Father
Every truly fruitful believer will experience pruning.
> “Every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit.”
> (John 15:2)
Pruning may come in the form of:
Our natural reaction is to resist pruning. But faith says:
We cooperate with pruning by:
### Fourth, We Must Judge by Fruits, Not Appearances
Jesus gave the “fruit test” primarily in the context of false prophets. We are commanded:
> “Beware of false prophets...” (Matthew 7:15)
> “Test all things; hold fast what is good.” (1 Thessalonians 5:21)
> “Do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits...” (1 John 4:1)
This applies to:
Questions to ask:
Fruit takes time to appear. We are not to be hasty in judgment. But where bad or no fruit is persistently evident, we are not to be naive.
---
### Proclamation (Speak Aloud in Faith)
“I affirm today that God is the righteous Judge and the wise Vinedresser.
His Word declares: ‘Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire,’ and ‘By their fruits you will know them.’
I confess that in myself I am incapable of producing good fruit.
I renounce all trust in my own righteousness and works.
I submit to the axe of true repentance at the root of my life.
I receive by faith a new heart and a new spirit in Christ Jesus.
I declare that Jesus Christ is the True Vine and I am a branch in Him.
I choose to abide in Him—His Word in me and His life flowing through me.
Apart from Him I can do nothing, but in Him I will bear much fruit.
I welcome the pruning of the Father.
I yield to His discipline, that I may share His holiness
and bring forth the peaceable fruit of righteousness.
I will not judge by outward appearance or religious show.
I will discern by the fruits produced.
I choose to be a good tree, rooted in Christ,
bearing the good fruit of the Holy Spirit:
love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
By the grace of God, my life will not be a fruitless tree for the fire,
but a fruitful planting of the Lord, for His glory.
In the name of Jesus, amen.”
### Prayer
“Father, in the name of Jesus, I come to You under the authority of Your Word.
You have said that every tree that does not bear good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire. I ask You to search my heart. Expose every area of barrenness, hypocrisy, and pretense. Where there has been empty profession without true fruit, grant me deep and genuine repentance.
Lord Jesus, True Vine, I confess that without You I can do nothing. I renounce all self-reliance and invite Your life to flow in me and through me by the Holy Spirit. Teach me to abide in You daily—moment by moment.
Father, I submit to Your pruning. Remove from my life everything that hinders love, holiness, and obedience. Cut away wrong relationships, wrong habits, and wrong attitudes. Cleanse me by Your Word. Discipline me in Your love that I may share in Your holiness.
Holy Spirit, produce in me the fruit that proves I truly belong to Christ. Let love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control be evident in my character and conduct.
Make my life a fruitful tree in Your orchard, bringing glory to Your name. Guard me from deception. Teach me to discern by fruits, to love truth, and to walk in the fear of the Lord.
I ask this in the mighty name of Jesus. Amen.”
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