Recognizing Them by Their Fruits: Vessels of Honor and Dishonor

As I reflect on Jesus' words in Matthew 7, one passage that stands out is Matthew 7:15-20, where Jesus says, “You will know them by their fruits.” He warns that false prophets can appear as sheep but are inwardly ravenous wolves. However, we’ll recognize them by their fruit—something deeper than mere actions or claims. It’s easy to confuse spiritual gifts, like preaching or healing, with true fruit, but Jesus calls us to look deeper. The fruit of the Spirit—love, joy, peace, patience, and the like (Galatians 5:22-23)—is the real evidence of a life transformed by God. Gifts, while valuable, can be mimicked or misused, even by those who don’t truly know God. This leads to what Jesus addresses in Matthew 7:21-23, where He confronts those who rely on their gifts—prophesying, casting out demons, and performing miracles—yet He will declare, “I never knew you.”

A clear example of this is Judas. He walked with Jesus, participated in ministry, and performed signs, yet in the end, his lack of fruit revealed his true heart. Judas betrayed Jesus, showing he never truly loved or knew Him. This reminds us that outward actions, even miraculous ones, aren't reliable indicators of a relationship with Christ. Though Jesus knew Judas would betray Him, the other disciples were unaware (John 13:27-30).

This raises the question: How can we discern a true follower of Jesus? Paul offers insight in 2 Timothy 2:17-19, warning about those who stray from the truth. It’s troubling to think people can seem genuine but fall away. However, Paul reassures us: “The Lord knows those who are His” (2 Timothy 2:19). While we may not always discern someone’s heart, God knows. He sees beyond appearances and knows who truly belongs to Him.

Paul uses an analogy in 2 Timothy 2:20-21, describing the church as a “great house” filled with vessels for honorable and dishonorable use. This suggests that within the visible body of Christ, there will be both true and false believers. Yet Paul emphasizes our responsibility to cleanse ourselves from dishonorable things to become vessels of honor, useful to the Master. This doesn’t mean we earn salvation, but we are called to live in a way that reflects our identity in Christ.

This idea reminds me of Romans 9:21, where Paul uses a similar image of a potter shaping vessels of honor and dishonor. While Romans 9 speaks to God’s sovereignty, 2 Timothy shows we are invited to respond to God’s call. We aren’t passive objects; we can choose to be shaped for honorable use. At the same time, God, in His sovereignty, knows who will endure in faith and who won’t—just as He knew Judas’s heart from the beginning.

This doesn’t mean God forces anyone into a predetermined role. He allows people to make choices, yet He works all things for His purposes. Even those, like Judas, who reject Him, are used in His redemptive plan. It’s a humbling reminder that His ways are higher than ours (Isaiah 55:8-9).

Paul continues in 2 Timothy 2:24-26, urging us not to judge who is beyond redemption. Instead, we’re called to approach those in opposition with gentleness and humility. The goal is restoration—to help them escape the devil’s trap and return to God. This teaches that while some may seem like vessels of dishonor, we shouldn’t give up on them prematurely. We are called to correct with the hope they, too, may become vessels of honor.

But not everyone will respond. In the next chapter, Paul warns about those who exhibit a form of godliness but deny its power (2 Timothy 3:1-5). These individuals may appear religious, but their lives reveal ungodly characteristics—self-love, pride, greed, and cruelty. They may be involved in religious works, but their character shows a deeper truth. Paul’s warning is serious: “From such people turn away!” (2 Timothy 3:5). Some may be within the church but not truly part of the body of Christ. Ultimately, God will separate and judge them (Matthew 13:24-43).

This balance between discernment and humility is key. We aren’t the ultimate judge of who will endure as a vessel of honor, but we can recognize when someone’s life reflects the Spirit’s work. Our role is to lovingly correct, gently guide, and pray for the restoration of those who have wandered from the truth.

Ultimately, it’s about keeping our focus on our own walk with Christ. As Paul says, we are to cleanse ourselves from dishonorable practices, becoming vessels of honor, prepared for every good work. The fruit of the Spirit will flow from a life truly rooted in Christ, and that’s where our attention must remain. Gifts are a blessing, but it’s the fruit that reveals whether we truly belong to Him.